A Regional Approach to Peacebuilding
“Contemporary conflict creates a web of interlocking conflicts involving the transfer of populations, arms, armies, finances, and conflict goods across increasingly porous borders”2 THE MANO RIVER REGION Scholars and practitioners have varying perspectives on the definition of peacebuilding, as the concept is extremely broad and conflicts around the globe diverse. In spite of the widespread […]
It’s not just Xenophobia
Executive Summary South Africa attracts migrant foreigners because of its reputation as a free, democratic, and developing country. South Africa has long been considered a hub of employment for foreign workers lured by the diamond and gold industries since the apartheid period. The exact numbers of immigrants now living in South Africa is contested; recent […]
Beyond the signature
The optimistic reality in Africa is that the continent has witnessed a dramatic reduction in the number of armed conflicts since the onset of the 21st Century. Many such conflicts are concluded by negotiations which often lead to peace agreements. Peace agreements are contracts between parties intended to end a violent conflict, transform a conflict […]
Mediating to Governments of National Unity
In its simplest sense mediation can be defined as the act or process of mitigating the concerns of disputing parties by an intermediary who is not a party to the conflict, but who enjoys the trust of all parties and whose goal is to help forge settlements that are deemed acceptable.2 The mediator therefore acts […]
Who said it was simple?
Executive Summary On 31 October 2000, the United Nations (UN) Security Council passed resolution 1325, which categorically linked violence against women during conflict and their marginalisation during peace processes with the short and long-term challenges of maintaining international peace and security. Based on a review of 1325 debates and literature, I present some of the […]
Strategies to prevent and manage electoral violence
Executive Summary This Policy and Practice Brief offers insights for policymakers regarding strategies to prevent and manage electoral violence. It forms part of ACCORD’s research and interventions on elections and violence. Our work seeks to inform interventions by governments and civil society and assist to prevent and manage electoral violence. Electoral violence is a sub-category […]