Selected recent developments and news stories from the West African Region, Burundi, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Pro Democracy Charter takes Effect The African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG) took effect as of February 2012 after it was ratified by Cameroon, the 15th African state to do so. The Charter has been in development since 2007 and represents a major step in the effort to democratize the African continent. The ACDEG advocates for democracy and a respect for the rule of law and human rights. Interestingly, the Charter also has the potential to provide a framework to prosecute internationally those responsible for the forceful takeover of government. 37 African states have yet to ratify the Charter.
Human Rights Watch Acknowledges Gains and Remaining Concerns Human Rights Watch‘s World Report 2012 pointed to a number of concerns for the state of democracy across Africa, especially in regards to the UN Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) agenda countries. While a number of elections were held in sub-Saharan Africa, the violence associated with those events highlights the uncertain nature of peace in post conflict countries. Additionally, corruption at all levels continues to threaten the stability and development of countries recently removed from conflict.
Among the PBC countries, Guinea and Burundi were called out for their abusive security forces and weak judicial systems. Guinea in particular, despite being rich in resources, was highlighted for lacking significant efforts to improve social welfare. Additionally, examples of rights abuses continue to plague the West African country.
Ban Ki-Moon Advocates Strong UN-AU Partnership United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the importance of the UN’s relationship with the African Union (AU) in a meeting regarding the two bodies’ cooperation on issues of peace and security. The Secretary-General pointed to examples of the two bodies working together in Darfur and in combating the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). He also highlighted the significant progress that the AU has made on its own in regards to peace and security. Acknowledging the two organizations’ differences, the SG stressed flexibility combined with innovation for future collaborations. Recognizing that Africa is home to most active conflicts worldwide and additionally faces new threats such as terrorism and piracy, the relationship between the two international bodies was recognized as being essential to the future peace on the continent.
ECOWAS Looks at Regional Security The 29th session of the Ministerial level of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Mediation and Security Council was held in Abuja, Nigeria in mid-February. Among the topics of discussion were just some of the many growing threats in the region such as ongoing piracy in the Gulf of Guinea and the troubling humanitarian situation in the Sahel region. In PBC countries, for example, ECOWAS plans to focus on security sector reform (SSR) in Guinea-Bissau. In Sierra Leone and a number of other West African states, the focus of the regional group will be on upcoming elections. As ECOWAS looks to the future, ECOWAS member states urged unity to ensure that the region reaches its full potential.
Security Council Briefed on Piracy in Gulf of Guinea The United Nations Security Council was briefed on 27 February, on the need to combat piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, which has become a growing threat to security in the region. Over the past year, not only has there been an increase in piracy, but the targets of such attacks are becoming increasingly valuable. After conducting an assessment mission throughout the Gulf of Guinea, and its surrounding countries, Under-Secretary-General for the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) Lynn Pascoe stressed the importance of regional cooperation and working towards building on Security Council Resolution 2018 (2011). Several speakers at the briefing emphasized that international support on this matter is essential given the fact that states most affected by piracy have few resources to deal with problem. There is also a need for greater effort to enhance legal systems in affected states to address the problem, combined with a broader effort to develop a uniform definition of the crime.
Date Set for Taylor Verdict The verdict in the case against former Liberian president and warlord Charles Taylor is expected to be delivered on 26 April 2012. Taylor faces eleven different counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his role in the Sierra Leonean civil war. Taylor is accused of arming the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) of Sierra Leone in an effort to gain control of the country and its vast diamond deposits. The “blood diamonds” trial has been ongoing for more than a year and represents the first time a former African head of state has been put on trial internationally.
PBC Countries Set to See Large Repatriation Numbers The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has set 30 June 2012 as the final date for any Liberian living abroad to acquire refugee status. Defending the decision, officials cited the nearly decade-long period of peace in Liberia as well as the UN Refugee Convention which defines refugee status as not indefinite. Come 1 July 2012, any Liberian living abroad without official refugee status will no longer be afforded the protection of UNHCR. Given these recent developments, Liberia has already seen a large number of returnees. An additional 60,000 people are expected to join the 120,000 individuals that have already been repatriated.
In the case of Burundi, tens of thousands of refugees in Tanzania are being urged to return home. The Burundian civil war ended in 2005 and the Tanzanian government is becoming impatient after decades of playing host to refugees. It is acknowledged that Burundi is home to less than ideal conditions and has recently been plagued with human rights violations. Officials, however, are claiming that according to recent surveys, Burundi refugees are “not in need of international protection”. Despite government pressure, many refugees seem reluctant to leave, especially because past threats of deportation on the part of the Tanzanian government never came to fruition.
Opposition Leader Released Since the beginning of the 2012, Burundi has seen two high profile political arrests; something many say is reflective of a trend of increased human rights abuses in the country. On 24 January, Burundian Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD) opposition leader Alexis Sinduhije was arrested by Tanzanian authorities. Just a few weeks later Faustin Ndikumana, well known for his work in anti-corruption efforts, was reportedly arrested in connection with defamatory activities.
Burundi as of late has seen sharp increases in severe restrictions of freedom of speech and extrajudicial killings. In only a ten month period during 2011, the United Nations reported that 57 extrajudicial killings took place. According to other sources, however, that number could be as high as 300. These abuses have drawn international attention and even led to the establishment of bodies such as the National Independent Human Rights Commission; however, substantial hindrance of further abuses has been elusive.
Fears of Food Shortage Grow Heavy bouts of rain across Burundi between September and November of this past year have severely damaged crops and ruined the recent harvest. As the planting season for the next harvest fell during the period of rain, expectations for a significant yield are low. Consequentially, food prices have risen dramatically. When looking for a solution to the problem, it is being found that limited funding is hampering potential progress.
CAR to Receive Emergency Funds Using the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the United Nations humanitarian offices allocated emergency funds for the Central African Republic along with 12 other countries. These funds, in the amount of $104 million, aim to provide relief to what are considered neglected emergencies across the globe. South Sudan is to receive the most funding with $20 million dollars. Additionally, Haiti will receive $8 million for those still affected by the 2010 earthquake and states in the Horn of Africa will receive $4 million to combat the effects of drought. July 2012 will see a second round of funding allocated for these emergencies.
CAR Pledges to End Use of Child Soldiers The Central African Republic, along with Somalia, is the latest state to commit to ending the use of child soldiers. Despite these pledges, the two states remain home to an extraordinary number of child soldiers. It is estimated by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) that over 300,000 children across the globe are involved in conflict. While steps are being taken to combat this trend, many see weak government capacity and ineffective enforcement as one of the foremost hindrances to real progress.
Editor Jailed Over Critical Newspaper Articles Local groups are calling for the release of newspaper editor Ferdinand Samba, claiming his arrest was politically motivated. Samba was charged with “incitement to hatred, defamation, and insult” after a series of his opinion columns in the Le Democrate newspaper were seen as critical of President Bozize’s nephew, Sylvain Ndoutingaï, who also serves as a financial minister. The articles highlighted the “allegations of abuse of power and embezzlement” against Ndoutingaï. Samba’s supporters see his arrest as a violation of CAR’s freedom of press and want the charges against him dropped.
Military Offensive Leaves Thousands Displaced It is estimated that up to 16,000 people have been displaced within CAR due to a military offensive conducted by both CAR and Chad against the rebel group Front Populaire pour le Redressement (FPR). The operation is said to have destroyed numerous roads as well as homes and crops. As many people have taken refuge in the bush, distributing aid to the effected populations has become increasingly more difficult. The military advances have instilled a sense of fear in the civilian populations with civilians frequently targeted as rebels without legitimate verification. All of this has additionally been exacerbated by ethnic tensions and other sources of violence throughout the Central African Republic.
President Conde Calls for New Trade Efforts Across Africa During a panel discussion on Africa at the World Economic Forum, President Condé of Guinea advocated for a number of pan-African ministries to enhance trade as well as energy and infrastructure initiatives across the African continent. President Condé pointed to the vast natural resources held by Africa, claiming that now is the time to use those resources to improve the situation of Africans as a whole. Guinea’s first democratically elected president points to the way in which Africans now find themselves at a unique point in history where they can for the first time determine how their own resources are used. Condé called on leaders to be responsible and highlighted his country’s transparency initiatives in the mining sector, a step aimed at reducing corruption.
After Death of Sanhá, Future Remains Uncertain Following the death of President Sanhá late last year, Guinea-Bissau will select a new president on 18 March. In addition, legislative elections are planned for this year as well as the first round of local elections since the country’s independence. Throughout this process the country continues to face many challenges that could potentially derail the country’s progress towards sustainable peace. Such challenges include issues concerning the corruption in the military, drug trafficking, and difficulties in the country’s political development more generally.
IMF Reports on Visit After a weeklong visit by a mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the economic progress of Guinea-Bissau was deemed to be “satisfactory”. The mission acknowledged the government’s reform efforts and expressed optimism when looking towards the conclusion of those reforms before the end of the year. Anticipating the 2012 elections, the IMF stressed the importance of peaceful transitions for continued economic stability and development. The Fund also stressed the implementation of its Extended Credit Facility supported program for stronger development.
Violent Land Disputes Feared As Consequence of Foreign Investors As President Sirleaf works toward rebuilding Liberia, new concerns are being raised about the state’s dealings with international investors. It is feared that the rights of ordinary Liberians are being curtailed in favor of international corporations; something that could launch the country back into violence. As vast amounts of land are being promised to foreigners, thousands of Liberians face the possibility of losing their property without their consent.
Consequentially, ColumbiaUniversity has released a report from its Centre for International Conflict Resolution (CICR) which concluded that these land dealings have generated “high tension” among ordinary Liberians. Citizens are finding themselves without any means to legally protect their land as the government claims a constitutional right to be the only Liberian entity permitted to negotiate with foreign investors. When looking at government efforts to protect its citizens, the CICR report concluded that such efforts are inadequate and further reforms are needed.
The events unfolding in Liberia reflect a larger trend across the region. According to the International Land Coalition, West Africa is seen as a “prime target” for global land acquisition. The African continent, in fact, accounted for well over half of all such deals during the first decade of the century.
Sirleaf Appoints Cabinet Having recently started her second term, President Sirleaf has begun to name members of her cabinet. While some within Liberia expressed disappointment with the lack of new appointees, there are still open positions which are expected to incorporate opposition members into the cabinet. Sirleaf’s second term is widely expected to focus more on domestic issues as her first term concentrated primarily on Liberia’s role internationally.
As Reconciliation Efforts Move Forward, Many Woman Still Unconvinced by Justice Approach President Sirleaf continues to promote the reconciliation process across Liberia, claiming there "cannot be peace and reconciliation here without justice”. Stating that more must be done to achieve real national closure, Sirleaf vowed to be the first to take part in the planned palaver hut program. The program is an extension of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which many Liberian women took part in after the country’s fourteen year long civil war. A number of women recalled their abuses and in some cases even named those responsible. Many feel, however, that they have yet to see real justice as no one has been charged with any crimes in relation to the conflict. Women appear reluctant to reiterate their stories; with many claiming what is really needed in Liberia are economic and social gains to improve the standard of living.
UNMIL Announces Plans to Withdraw The United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has announced its plans to withdraw from Liberia. The withdrawal will be implemented gradually as the mission ensures that the security sector within Liberia is adequately prepared to assume its responsibilities. UNMIL, which had its mandate extended into 2012, still plays a key role in the security of Liberia given the way in which the state’s recently created military has yet to become fully operational. Additionally, a Technical Assistance Team working on behalf of the United Nations Security Council will make recommendations to ensure the smooth transition.
Child Protection Law Passed Liberia is gearing up for the implementation of a new child protection law passed in October of 2011. Inspired by the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, the law is described as one of the most comprehensive laws of its kind though out Africa. Among its most notable provisions is the right to education. The Speaker of the Liberia Children's Parliament described the law as “a clear example that young people can be peaceful and advocate peacefully without resorting to violence to accomplish their aims”.
Voter Registration Begins Sierra Leone has begun a two month process of voter registration led by the National Electoral Commission (NEC). At least 3.5 million people are expected to register. The country has implemented a public sensitization campaign for weeks leading up to the registration process carried out by the NEC. This is seen as a positive step given past violence due to voter irregularities during elections in the country.
Opposition Calls for Impeachment of Sierra Leonean President New calls to impeach President Koroma followed recent violence that saw three killed during by-election riots. Leader of the People’s Movement for Democratic Change, Charles Francis Margai, claims the president has failed to address the root causes of political violence in Sierra Leone. The Shearse-Moses report, meant to investigate the issue, has been at the heart of the opposition’s frustration with Koroma. Despite elements of the report leaking and indicting high level officials, it has not been released in full. Koroma claims the report will be released in due time.
In Effort to Increase Transparency, Online Mining Database Launches On 19 January, the government of Sierra Leone, in conjunction with international donors, launched the Government of Sierra Leone Online Repository System. The system is intended to enhance transparency by making the financial dealings between the government and mining companies public. The new system also represents a major improvement with regard to the way records are kept, which in the past has been considered poor at best.
Some within Sierra Leone, however, are pessimistic about the new database, citing a need to reexamine the way in which data is collected and reported on.
Controversy Surrounds UNIPSIL Head’s Early Departure Although he was expected to remain at his post until after the November 2012 presidential elections, Michael von der Schulenburg’s term as Executive Representative for the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) has ended early. Schulenburg has expressed his discontent with the decision in a letter that was obtained by Reuters. He sees the decision as a consequence of the United Nations caving to “unreasonable and unjustified pressure” from the Sierra Leonean President. In the letter, Schulenburg further details President Koroma’s displeasure with the former ERSG, viewing him as a threat to his reelection in forthcoming elections. The President, whose supporters have in the past accused Schulenburg of interfering in domestic politics, has denied any involvement in the decision.
For more news and daily coverage of recent developments in PBC countries, the region and the UN Peacebuilding Commission itself, visit our Facebook Page: Together for a Better Peace
UN Mission Renewed; Concerns Remain The UN renewed the mandate for its mission in Burundi last month, but it was not without “grave concern”. The UN and various rights groups point to large numbers of extrajudicial killings linked to the government. Additionally, opposition members have increasingly been detained and accused of terrorism while civil liberties more generally have been further restricted. These are trends that have been on the rise since the 2010 election, and as highlighted by UN officials, only detract from Burundi’s post civil war recovery.
Opposition Leader Arrested Burundian opposition leader Alexis Sinduhije, founder of the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy (MSD), has been arrested in Tanzania after arriving from Rwanda. Sinduhije claims his life would be in danger should he be returned to Burundi where the government hopes to charge him with murder. He cited increasing political restrictions placed on him and his party while chairman of the Democratic Party of Tanzania, Christopher Mtikila, raised concern about the state of Burundi’s political and civil rights. Mtkikila claims Sinduhije is guilty of nothing more than exercising his right to free speech.
UN Warnings Come Amid Rebel Violence The UN has noted the dangers of the security vacuum in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the threat it poses to future stability. According to the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA), the government’s inability to exert its authority across the country only makes it more attractive to different rebel groups in the region. Currently, there are 14 rebel groups operating within CAR borders. The UN consequentially warned against the dangers of underfunding any peacebuilding efforts as the country is currently at a pivotal moment in its post-conflict recovery. These warnings come as recent fighting between the Popular Front for Recovery, FPR (a Chadian rebel group) and the Central African People’s Democratic Front, FDPC (a domestic insurgency) has broken out, leading the UN to suspend its movement in the area.
Rebel Group Quits Peace Talks The People's Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD) has removed itself from the peace process underway in the Central African Republic after its leader Jean-Jacques Demafouth was arrested. He has been accused of attempting to organize a coalition of rebel groups in an effort to destabilize the country. The APRD has in turn accused the government of violating the peace accords.
Central African States Work Together to Combat LRA A more positive development for the Central African Republic, however, can be seen at a recent UN Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) meeting at UN headquarters in New York. A number of central African states affected by the presence of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) including CAR have agreed to allow their troops unhindered movement across state lines in pursuit of the rebel group.
Controversial Reforms on President’s Agenda President Conde has announced his agenda for the coming year, with new plans to both reduce the size of the army and begin a review of mining contracts. The timing of the announcement is politically risky given the fragility of the recently established peace in the country. Conde’s plans could have significant consequences for Guinea at a number of levels. Upsetting international investors in regards to mining could do more harm than good for the nation’s already weak economy. Scaling back the military also poses a threat to peace and security should such measures aggravate the notoriously unmanageable soldiers.
One Dead as Power Cuts Spur Protests One person was shot and killed after soldiers were sent into Kamsar to bring order to protests that had erupted over electricity cuts. The protests saw an additional 33 people injured. Numerous government buildings and a police station were damaged by the youth protestors as they expressed their frustration and discontent with blackouts and electricity cuts that have become commonplace in the area.
President Sanha Passes Away Leaving Uncertain Political Future President Sanha died on 9 January in Paris after a series of health problems. His death comes at a particularly troubling time for the nation given its history of political instability. What was described by the government as an attempted coup in late December saw numerous high level military officials arrested. The details surrounding the event are still unclear and some speculate the violence was connected to the illegal drug trade or even soldiers demanding higher pay. Elections are expected within 90 days of Sanha’s death. Until that time, Speaker of Parliament Raimundo Pereira has been appointed to serve as interim president. The opposition, however, has completely rejected Pereira as interim president, raising even more concerns for a peaceful transition of power.
Death of Sanha Spurs Fears of Increased Drug Trafficking As the future of political stability of Guinea Bissau remains uncertain, fears about increased drug trafficking have increased. West Africa already serves as a transit point for essentially one fourth of all cocaine in Europe as the drug makes its way from South America. If the country should fall into political disarray that number could increase dramatically. The drug trade permeates all sectors of society and is deeply entrenched in the highest levels of the military. In the poverty stricken country the effects of further instability coupled with proliferated drug trafficking could have a series of negative consequences reaching far outside Guinea Bissau.
UN Security Council Reacts to Death of Sanha Following the death of President Sanha, the UN Security Council has sent its condolences to Guinea Bissau; however, it also urged the nation to “respect the legal and institutional framework for the transitional phase”. In light of the December attack against army headquarters, the Security Council called for the respect of civilian rule and encouraged the government of Guinea Bissau to enact additional measures to improve rule of law in the country. Specifically, the Council encouraged the government to launch a Pension Fund for military servicemen and continue efforts to fight narcotic trafficking. The country’s demobilization of military officers, in particular, was a welcomed effort.
Major Economic Stimulus from Central Bank of Liberia The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has launched a major economic stimulus package specifically targeting the country’s microfinance institutions and more specifically, rural women. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) will manage the loans through its Liberia Inclusive Financial Sector Program. This is the second time in two years that the CBL has attempted to stimulate economic growth. In 2010 the bank sponsored a $5 million package while this second effort will consist of $2.7 million. Supporters of this most recent measure see it as an extension of the CBL’s goal of financial inclusion and a positive step in the process of increasing Liberia’s economic growth and productivity.
Sirleaf Begins Second Term President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia began her second term on 16 January 2012. The runoff elections that ultimately brought her back to power were marred by the opposition boycotts and violence that followed. Those events raised concerns about the country’s overall stability and seemed to pose a significant threat to the democratic transition after years of civil war. During her inaugural speech, however, Sirleaf called for reconciliation among Liberians and urged the country to continue to work towards its “rightful place as a beacon of democracy”.
National Peace and Reconciliation Process Begins Nobel Laureate Leymah Roberta Gbowee, appointed by President Sirleaf to head a reconciliation initiative, has announced that the first phase of the National Peace and Reconciliation process has begun. Gbowee has traveled to three different counties thus far, leading discussions with citizens in an effort to encourage national dialogue. Gbowee has acknowledged that very different mindsets persist across Liberia and the concepts of peace and reconciliation are interpreted by citizens in numerous ways. Despite these differences, however, she continues to stress the importance of unity among Liberians when working towards a full recovery from the country’s civil war.
Clinton Promises More Support to Liberia During a recent visit to Liberia, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised wide ranging American support to the country as it faces a number of post conflict challenges. Clinton pledged American assistance with regard to development, specifically infrastructure and youth employment. The Secretary of State also made it clear that the United States stands firmly behind Liberia in its security sector reform efforts with special attention paid to police training and ensuring accountability.
Liberia was just one stop of the Secretary of State’s trip through West Africa which was viewed more generally as an attempt by the US to promote democracy as well as its own security and economic interests. Efforts to befriend the region’s leaders and establish more of a foothold is also intended to counter the heavy presence of China. Accompanying Clinton through West Africa was Senator Christopher Coons who stated "I'm convinced that we're missing an important strategic opportunity for the United States. China is taking advantage of our absence as a major funder of infrastructure and is advancing their economic and I think policy agendas across the continent.”
Riots Unfold During By-Election Members of both the All People’s Congress (APC) and Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) began to riot during the country’s by-election in Fourah Bay, just outside of Freetown. With individuals on both sides suffering stab wounds, the police interceded with tear gas and live bullets. The rioting comes at a critical time for Sierra Leone as it marks ten years since the end of the civil war. Additionally, national elections are scheduled to be held in only another nine months.
Youth Unemployment Threatens Stability According to the UN and international aid groups, the level of youth unemployment poses a significant threat to peace and stability in Sierra Leone. Facing a 70% unemployment rate and lacking both the skills and the necessary capital to own or operate and business, the youth of Sierra Leone have great potential to be a leading factor in any civil unrest. That potential is very real as this year’s upcoming elections are seen as a particularly vulnerable time for the country. Just last year, in fact, the city of Bo saw a political rally turn violent as young people vandalized different areas. The situation in Sierra Leone is reflective of a larger global trend of youth unemployment that many feel need to be addressed more thoroughly by the international community.
UN: Greater Stability inWest Africa but Concerns Remain The Secretary General’s Special Representative and head of the UN Office for West Africa, UNOWA, Said Djinnit, briefed the Security Council on the situation of West Africa stating that political stability has improved, but not without noting that progress is “tenuous”. The briefing highlighted recent elections and praised the region for recent stability, without “a repeat of open conflict nor tensions tied with institutional or political crises among States”. Regional piracy, recent events in Guinea Bissau, and the situation in Nigeria, however, were all detailed as prominent threats to stability. UN support of the region was praised and further efforts on the part of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWA) were detailed.
Preliminary Results of Elections The Preliminary Progressive Results from Liberia’s presidential elections, reported by the National Elections Commission (NEC) on Friday, 14 October, indicates that incumbent President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf(UP) and former justice minister Winston Tubman (CDC) may have a second-round, run-off election. Sirleaf is leading with 45.4% of the votes, Tubman is in second place with 29.5% of the votes, and Prince Yormie Johnson (NUDP) is in third place with 11.4% of the votes.
The current Election Law states that elections to the office of President and Vice President will be conducted in two rounds. The first round will be determined by an absolute majority (fifty percent plus one vote). In the absence of an absolute majority, the two candidates with the highest number of votes will participate in a second ballot, the run-off election. The candidate who receives the highest number of votes in the run-off election will be elected.
The candidate with the third highest votes is important in the second-round run-off because that candidate’s endorsement can help one of the leading candidates receive the absolute majority of votes. Senator Prince Y. Johnson is, thus far, the third place finisher. Johnson has stated that he has requested a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) from each leading candidate that will show a government of inclusion. However, both Sirleaf and Tubman are expecting to win the preliminary election and have not planned for a second-round run-off.
The CarterCenter election observation mission reported that the elections were peaceful and the voters were enthusiastic and calm during the voting process. Party agents played a big role in enhancing transparency and credibility of the voting and counting process. Times Live announced that the voter turnout was around 70.2%, about 1.8 million voters. Final results of the first ballot will be released on 26 October.
Sirleaf Wins Nobel Peace Prize On Friday, 7 October, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, along with Leymah Gbowee fromLiberia and activist Tawakkul Karman from Yemen, won the Nobel Peace Prize for advocating women’s rights. Sirleaf’s supporters have commended her for maintaining peace in the country, post civil war. However, Sirleaf has been criticized for her inability to improve human rights conditions in the country, specifically her inability to provide clean drinking water. Her opposition, Winston Tubman of the Congress for Democratic Change party, claimed that the prize served as a disadvantage for Sirleaf’s re-election because Liberians do not share the view of the international world that Sirleaf helped end the civil war.
Violence on Liberia – Ivory Coast Border Following Cote d’Ivoire’s election crisis this spring, Liberian mercenaries have been involved in ongoing violence and crime in the west-Ivoirian region of Guiglo. In the wake of post-election clashes between Gbagbo and Ouattara supporters, the presence of Liberian mercenaries have contributed to ongoing tension in the region and has slowed the process of reintegration of many civilians who fled their homes in western Cote d’Ivoire during the crisis.
On Thursday, 15 September Liberian mercenaries reportedly clashed with members of the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast (FRCI), leaving 23 people dead. It is unclear if the victims were soldiers or civilians. West African leaders urged the UN and ECOWAS to increase monitoring at the Liberia-Cote d’Ivoire border. Leaders of Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia and Sierra Leone are concerned that the instability at the border is a threat for the West African region.
UN peacekeepers began the process of strengthening security at the border in preparation for the 11 October Liberian elections. Liberia also deployed a special operations force, specially trained in riot and crowd control, to strengthen internal security. [back to top]
Renewal of UNMIL Mandate On 16 September, the United Nations Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for another twelve months. With Presidential elections less than a month away, the Security Council expressed the need for its continued presence, and stressed the importance of allowing the Liberian government and its people to focus on its internal security.
Attack Spurs Fears of Resumed Violence On September 18, Monday, alleged “bandits” disguised as military officials raided ‘Chez les Amiz’ bar in Gatumba, about 15 kilometers west of the capital Bujumbura. The raid left more than 40 people dead and many wounded. Hospitals were overwhelmed with the injuries and had difficulty coping with the situation, leaving many untreated for an extended period of time. Relief Web reported that Agathon Rwasa, a former leader of the Hutu rebel movement, National Liberation Forces (FNL), may be linked to the unexpected attack, however, no evidence has emerged to solidify the claim.
In recent months, Rwasa has accused President Pierre Nkurunziza’s party of carrying out attacks against the rebel group and its members. The bar in which the attack took place belongs to a member of the ruling party and at the time of the incident, was occupied by the Espoir FC football team, affiliated to the ruling party’s youth league. Many Burundians viewed the incident as a sign of possible resurgence of civil war in the country.
Notably, this violent attack has brought to light underlying instability in Burundi’s political system. After a twelve-year civil war between the minority Tutsi-dominated army and Hutu rebels, the country was able to officially end the conflict through a peace agreement in 2005. However, rebel attacks throughout the years continued to threaten the stability of national peace. In a report released in December of last year, Security-General Ban Ki-moon explained that the security situation was still an issue in Burundi, despite its relative stability over 2010. This recent incident, the worst attack the country has seen in over a year, evidences escalating political tension in Burundi. The conflict between the National Liberation Forces (FNL) and the National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (NCDD) and the continuing marginalization of the opposition against the government continue to jeopardize Burundi’s process of establishing a stable peace in the country.
The Burundian government announced the launch of an investigation to discover the perpetrators of the attack, yet the international community remains concerned.As the spokeswoman for the UN Office on Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani explained to AFP on Friday, the shooting occurred in “a context of increased tension, marked by a series of extra-judicial killings that appeared to be mainly aimed at activists of the opposition National Liberation Front."Despite the government’s past efforts to investigate other killings in Burundi, OHCHR expressed concern about its track record in prosecution… anything else to add? [back to top]
Central African Republic
Conflict over Diamonds Leaves 43 Dead Fighting resumed in the Central African Republic (CAR) on Sunday, 11 September in the central town of Bria, leaving 43 people dead and dozens wounded after rival groups clashed over control of diamond mines in the region. The death toll is expected to rise, as the intensity of the fighting escalates.
Rival rebel groups, Convention of Patriots of Justice and Peace (CPJP) and the Union of Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR), agreed to a ceasefire (June 2011) and signed a peace agreement with the government of CAR in 2007, respectively.Though details remain unclear, this recent fighting has been attributed to ‘bandits’ still loyal to the two rebel causes.
President Francois Bozize, in response to media criticism of the government’s actions in the conflict, told the national assembly that he was not responsible for the clashes. [back to top]
Guinea
Police Repress Opposition Party Demonstrators
On Tuesday, 27 September and Wednesday, 28 September opposition party supporters of the Union of the Democratic Forces of Guinea (UDFG), trying to join a march in the streets of Conakry, were met with police hostility. Parliamentary police released tear gas and used batons against the protestors, while protestors threw rocks at the security forces, leaving at least three people dead. Security forces have arrested 322 protestors on grounds ranging from protesting despite a ban on public gatherings to homicide.
The protestors were demonstrating against the suspect preparations for the 29 December parliamentary elections. Amnesty International urged Guinean authorities to investigate the deaths of the three protestors killed on Tuesday. State Department Spokesman Victoria Nuland warned that this violence could threaten Guinea’s developing democracy. This is the first demonstration Guinea has had since the 2010 elections. [back to top]
New Mining Code Brings Controversy Guinea is one the world’s biggest exporter of the aluminum ore bauxite, yet it remains one of the poorest counties in Africa. A new mining code established on 9 September is meant to make more money available for development, while helping fight systemic corruption. The new code gives the government a free 15 percent share in companies and the option of buying another 20 percent, allowing the state to invest up to 35 percent in commodity companies.
Many outside investors are concerned about the regulations stipulated in the new code and the higher costs it will require investors to contribute. The government of Guinea, however, defends the mining reforms, which were promised in the 2010 December elections. Prime Minister Mohmed Said Fofana claims that the code will ultimately promote greater accountability from investors by requiring financial transparency and will combat corruption by making it more difficult for outside companies to bribe state officials. Investors will be required to sign a code of good conduct, officially agreeing not to take part in corrupt practices.In addition, the new mining code will require reports on environmental and social impacts of the companies.
Renewal of UNIPSIL Mandate and Election Tensions
On 14 September, the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) until 15 September 2012.Council members expressed their continued support for the mission and noted UNIPSIL’s important role in maintaining peace duringSierra Leone’s upcoming elections in 2012.
Political tensions have been steadily rising as proponents from the two main political parties of Sierra Leone, the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), have been linked to incidents of political violence.
On Wednesday, 21 September, Sierra Leone’s army chief, Major General Yirra Koroma issued an order to soldiers to remain non-partisan during political activities in order to maintain peacekeeping efforts. However, political unrest stemming from two of Sierra Leone’s major cities, Bo (in the south) and Kono (in the east) and the possibility of more attacks led to a police ban on all political rallies, issued on 22 September. The language of the official ban stated that all political meetings must be held in private in political party offices until further notice, as the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has not issued dates for the election.
In an effort to maintain peace through the election process, Inspector General Francis Alieu Munu and the Police Executive Board will meet with the four registered parties to discuss strategies for avoiding political violence while campaigning. The APC, SLPP, PMDC and NDA have issued comments in support of ending violence.
Violence Persists in Burundi On 3 August 2011, Reuters Africa reported that police had killed three gunmen in the south of Burundi.Although Major General Godefriod Niyombare blamed the attacks on thieves, recent violence may be an indication of the beginning of a new rebellion and/or escalating violence in the country. Another attack came just weeks after a confrontation between soldiers and armed bandits left nine people dead, while three gunmen in Burundi’s capital, Bujumbura, were killed by police after heavy exchange of fire on Monday (8 August).
Recent violence has also reached President Nkurunziza’s doorstep. Arsonists burned down his farm in late July.Human Rights Watch suggested that Burundishould investigate political assassinations, which have been on the rise since 2010. The organization argued that members of the National Liberation Forces (FNL), a former rebel group, have been targeted and killed in recent months. In retaliation, gunmen affiliated with the FNL have started attacking local policemen and members of the ruling party.
Security Council Raises Concern over Security Situation In a recent Security Council press statement, the Council expressed its support for CAR’s disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) program and the peace agreementsigned by the government of CAR and the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) on 12 June 2011. As one of the last active rebel groups in the country, the CPJP’s latest major attack occurred over a year ago in the town of Birao. Despite recent developments, the Security Council expressed continued concern for the security situation in northern and eastern CAR.Notably, the Council called upon the government of CAR to press on in its security sector reform (SSR) efforts and work to develop the Central African Armed Forces (FACA).
In her briefing to the Security Council, Margaret Vogt, the Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in CAR (BINUCA), made it clear that the deterioration of government institutions in CAR would destabilize the volatile region. Vogt also brought attention to the importance of protecting and empowering women and children in the region.Her concerns echoed a press statement by the Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, which condemned the Lord’s Resistance Army’s (LRA) abduction, recruitment, and rape of children in warfare.
[back to top]
Attempted Assassination of President Condé President Condé survived an assassination attempt in the early hours of 19 July 2011. Armed men attacked the president’s home and killed a member of the presidential guard before government reinforcements could arrive. The incident threatens to undermine the stability of Guinea’s first democratically elected government.Sixteen people, among the thirty-eight initially arrested, have been formally charged for the attack. Ten soldiers held accountable have been linked to former President Sekouba Konate and his 2010 transitional government.
Despite the involvement of mutinous soldiers in the assassination plot, President Condé insists that he still trusts the army. The President blamed the attack on high-level military leaders upset with reforms aiming to combat corruption and transition the military to civilian control.
Sylvie Lucas, Permanent Representative of Luxembourg and Chair of the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Guinea Configuration, issued a statement urging “respect the rule of law, democracy, and national reconciliation” in Guinea.
[back to top]
Political Stability Paves Way for Investment Opportunities The International Business Times recently reported that political stability in Guinea-Bissau has helped develop a favorable economic outlook for the country. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) expects Guinea-Bissau’s economy to grow by 4.3% this year. Also contributing to the growth of Guinea-Bissau’s economy has been a successful government agricultural campaign, encouraging production of cashew nuts.Thus far, 160,000 tons of cashew nuts have been exported in 2011. This figure constitutes 98% of Guinea-Bissau’s exports.
Political stability in the country is progressively attracting new investors. Guinea-Bissau recently received a $6.4 million World Bank grant to promote economic expansion. Additionally, Angolaannounced plans to re-launch investment projects in the port of Buba and the Boé bauxite mine. Despite such encouraging developments, there is concern that economic growth is simply based on increased drug trafficking. The International Business Times suggests that short-term political stability will only translate into long-term economic development if Guinea-Bissau can successful fight drug traffickers and institute complex military reforms.
Amnesty International Report on Côte d’Ivoire Refugees Côte d’Ivoire has been plagued with a countrywide crisis since recently disputed presidential elections led to widespread violence in Spring 2011. Although former president Laurent Gbagbo was arrested on 11 April 2011, Amnesty International recently released report entitled, “We want to go home, but we can’t,” points to President Ouattara’s new administration as having failed to safeguard civilians from pro-Gbagbo militias and Liberian mercenaries.According to the report, inadequate security in Côte d’Ivoire led to civilian casualties and exacerbated the refugee problem in border countries like Liberia. The threat of roving militias in Côte d’Ivoiredisplaced an estimated 500,000 Ivorian refugees. [back to top]
LiberiaPrepares for Upcoming Elections Campaigning has begun for the 11 October 2011 presidential and legislative elections in Liberia. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has stated that the country needs her stable administration to progress post-conflict reconstruction.But, opposition leaders argue that statewide poverty and corruption necessitate change.
The ruling Unity Party (UP) has repeatedly denied accusations of having “connections” to the National Elections Commission (NEC), which is supposed to oversee free and fair elections.Nevertheless, the CDC is boycotting the national constitutional referendum being held on 23 August 2011. Although the referendum may further democratize the elections, opposition leaders argue that the NEC lacks the legal right to hold any national referendum.
ManoRiver Union Concludes 2011 Summit The Mano River Union (MRU)—Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone—completed its twentieth summit in mid-July 2011. Although the organization has existed for thirty-eight years, political conflict often prevented member states from effectively engaging the MRU. The summit concluded that the Secretariat of the MRU needed to be reformed in order to facilitate the goals of the organization.
The MRU will focus on projects to develop infrastructure, including a transnational highway across West Africa, and build partnerships in trade and commerce. It will seek out international partners to help fund such initiatives.The heads of state of the MRU countries also pledged to increase regional security.The Chair of the MRU, President Sirleaf, was particularly concerned that mercenaries leaving Côte d’Ivoire could destabilize Liberia during its upcoming October 2011 presidential election.
Pirate Attacks Intensify Off the Gulf of Guinea Reuters Africa reports that piracy is on the rise off the Gulf of Guinea.The Gulf is an emerging trading hub through which oil, cocoa, and metals are distributed to world markets. This year alone, there have been fifteen pirate attacks off the coast of Benin. Analysts point to an organized Nigerian gang as the orchestrator of the attacks. Pirates may have shifted operations to Benin after Nigeria raised security in its territorial waters.The pirates take advantage of poorly protected ports in West Africa to hijack transport vessels and sell lucrative commodities like oil on the black market. In response to the attacks, Benin recently appealed to the United Nations for support in combating piracy and drug trafficking off its coast.
At an informal meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Sierra Leone configuration on 16 March, Member States were briefed by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Joseph Dauda and the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General (ERSG) and head of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNMIL), Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg, on the country’s progress and remaining challenges in peacebuilding in key areas such as governance, economic and political reconstruction (including youth employment).Joining the Minister and the SRSG were several representatives of Sierra Leonean Civil Society, speaking on the critical issue of women’s participation in peacebuilding in the country.
As Sierra Leone moves ever closer toward national democratic elections in 2012, ongoing efforts to build sustainable peace in the country become an increasingly pressing challenge.In their briefings to the configuration, Foreign Minister Dauda and SRSG to Sierra Leone, Mr. von der Schulenburg emphasized both the encouraging progress made by the country in rebuilding its society and government, and the immense challenges ahead in strengthening this fragile peace. Both agreed that the continued support of the Peacebuilding Commission is essential to consolidate the country’s past gains and move forward in overcoming its past.
Remaining Challenges
Economic Revitalization
Sierra Leone’s economic revitalization is central to its progress toward peace, both the Foreign Minister and SRSG Schulenburg emphasized in their remarks. Both called upon the Commission to intensify its resource mobilization role in an effort to encourage and attract investment and increase longer-term donor commitments in the country (especially among non-traditional donors).With a gap of nearly 174 million (USD) of its Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), a severely limited and fragile government budget, and increasing problems in collecting funds from several mining companies who have failed to make contracted payments in the past year, the country is in need of greater efforts by the international community to meet the Sierra Leone’s funding needs.
Youth Employment
In connection with its economic future, the country’s youth require special attention.The government of Sierra Leone has established a National Youth Commission which among its responsibilities encourages youth employment.Moving forward, the Minister of Foreign Affairs called upon the PBC and its membership to support ‘partnerships for the democratic and developmental engagement of the youths’ of Sierra Leone and to aid the National Youth Commission in carrying out its duties along the lines of Sierra Leone’s Agenda for Change and the UN Joint Vision.
Member State Reactions
Member States praised the work of the government of Sierra Leone, as well as the efforts of UNIPSIL in consolidating peace in the country over the past years.Amidst significant progress, however, challenges remain in several key areas.
Representatives of the United Kingdom, China, the European Union, Australia and Peru pointed to the major challenge of the forthcoming 2012 elections.As a critical ‘benchmark’ of peace and national reconciliation and key to strengthening trust in the government, Member States noted the importance of transparency and adequate preparation for these elections to mitigate the risk of instability in the country during this delicate period.The European Union offered its election monitoring services to Sierra Leone, if needed.
Several Member States, including the UK, Peru and Japan noted investor concerns about persistent corruption in the country.Moving toward greater investment, especially in the extractive industry, Sierra Leone must strive for a consistent basis of sound management and transparency.Related to this problem, Japan and the UK noted, is the scourge of drug trafficking in West Africa, a problem that must be dealt with regionally, as well as within the country.
Finally, a number of States highlighted ongoing barriers to women’s participation in development and peacebuilding in Sierra Leone.States called for greater integration of women in all sectors.
Civil Society Briefing on Women in Peacebuilding
Several members of Sierra Leone’s Civil Society briefed the configuration on the status of women’s participation in peacebuilding in the country, and shared their priorities for the advancement of women with the participation of the PBC.Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) represented at the meeting included: All Party Women’s Organization (of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party); 50/50 Group; Destiny Women’s Empowerment Organization; and a Parliamentary representative of the All People’s Congress.
Economic and Political Participation
Civil Society representatives described the many challenges still faced by women in Sierra Leone, despite major strides forward in past years.Cited as a severe impediment to women’s participation and advancement in society, economic exclusion of women persists and the feminization of poverty in Sierra Leone has worsened.Basic levels of education to eradicate illiteracy can help to combat women’s exclusion from economic and political endeavors, and enhanced legal protections can help secure access.With only 14 women representatives in a Parliament of 104, women do not enjoy equal political access and representation.Often, violence against women, along with the reinforcement of cultural norms, some of which discriminate against women, has spoiled their attempts to take leadership roles in their communities and government.While challenges persist, the involvement of Civil Society has played a major role in reversing negative trends and has contributed to the empowerment of women in Sierra Leone.With the help of the PBC, these CSO representatives noted, more consistent progress can be achieved.
Violence against Women
While women continue to face barriers to their economic and political rights, women’s safety remains a constant challenge.Sexual violence has persisted in the country well after conflict came to a close in the early 2000s, and domestic violence has not abated despite stated efforts to protect and empower women.A culture of impunity surrounding sexual and gender-based crimes has also endured.Civil Society representatives urged MemberStates and the government of Sierra Leone to scale up efforts to address these matters and combat gender-based crimes.Importantly, CSOs emphasized the need for the government to take concrete steps to implement the country’s National Action Plan on Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security), and urged the government to escalate its efforts to enforce the Domestic Violence Act.Over the long-term, broader efforts to combat the cultural and traditional discrimination and violence against women must be brought to bear.
Member States of and contributors to the PBC’s Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone country configurations met on Friday, 3 December, in the Commission’s first ever joint country configuration meeting to discuss the outcomes of the regional seminar, “Strategies and Lessons Learned on Sustainable Reintegration and Job Creation: What Works in West Africa?” held in Freetown, Sierra Leone (2-3 December). The seminar was organized by the Austrian delegation and UNDP.
The majority of the meeting’s participants joined the configurations’ membership at United Nations Headquarters, via video link from Freetown.In addition to the general briefing, Member States heard updates and latest developments from a number of sources from the three PBC countries, including: members of the Austrian delegation, the Chair of the Working Group on Lessons Learned of the PBC (WGLL), representatives of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), the Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) in Guinea-Bissau, the SRSG in Liberia and Head of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), and Ms. Judy Cheng-Hopkins, the Assistant Secretary General for the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO).
Country Configuration Chairs’ Briefing on the Seminar on Sustainable Reintegration and Job Creation
The meeting opened with statements from the Chairs of the Liberia, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone Country Configurations, the latter contributing via video link from Freetown. In his comments, Ambassador Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeud Al-Hussein of Jordan, Chair of the Liberia configuration, stressed the importance of tackling the challenge of youth unemployment in Liberia. Though youth issues are not identified as one of the priority areas in Liberia’s newly minted statement of mutual commitments (SMC) with the Peacebuilding Commission, it is an issue that has the ability to undermine peace in the country, if overlooked. Seventy percent of Liberia’s population is under 30 years of age. The Chair noted with evident concern that many of the country’s youth continue to live in slums and have turned to robbery or drug dealing as a way of life – a problem that plagues not only Liberia, but all of the PBC agenda countries.
Ambassador Mrs. Regina Maria Cordeiro Dunlop of Brazil, acting Chair of the Guinea Bissau configuration, highlighted some of the successful projects that have been undertaken in Guinea-Bissau with the help of the PBC and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) including a $1.5 million project aimed at training the youth and expanding microcredit. Despite these steps forward, a significant portion of the country’s youth remains untrained and unemployed. The Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration stressed the need for international funds to address this issue and echoed Ambassador Zeid’s remarks on the dangers of youth unemployment, reminding those present that a country, especially one overcoming conflict, has no future if its youth are not able to succeed.
Ambassador John Mcnee of Canada, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration and Ambassador Thomas Mayr-Harting of Austria (the Director General for Development Cooperation in Austria) provided a brief overview of the regional seminar on sustainable reintegration and job creation in West Africa, featuring discussions on the technical challenges, macro-level structural issues, capacity gaps and challenges of drug trafficking facing the region.
Major points of discussion in the seminar included:
Training: Key to the process of reintegration and job creation in the West African region, several experts held, is a required shift from supply-based training to demand-based training. In the past, supply-driven training programs have been funded and carried out with only varying degrees of success, indicating that a change in approach is needed to achieve true sustainability.A major issue of supply-driven approach is its disregard for the true demands of the marketplace – and an overall disconnect between the theoretical formulation of programs and the reality on the ground. The prime example of this challenge – vastly unemployed youth, after young men and women are trained to become auto-mechanics, when the market is already saturated with this same profession. To avoid this all too familiar predicament, the focus must shift to a demand-driven approach, where training is done based on the economic needs of the country in question. Not only will this approach bring a greater degree of success to training programs, it will provide overall benefits to the economy.
Entrepreneurship: In addition to a demand-based approach in training, seminar participants emphasized the need to foster a culture of entrepreneurship among post-conflict populations (especially youth). Self-employment is an important aspect of a growing economy and a key source of the creativity required to keep a burgeoning economic culture flexible and vibrant. To encourage such ventures, speakers pointed to better training and more widespread micro-credit schemes to encourage citizens to become entrepreneurs.
Role of the PBC: The seminar also touched upon the role to be played by the PBC, in advocating for the needs and promise of post-conflict economies on the international stage.As part of its mandate, the Commission is essential in marshalling resources for the countries on its agenda, and is in the unique position to engage with perspective international donors to build sustainable peace in these vulnerable countries.A constant challenge that remains to be fully addressed, however, is the accurate assessment of West African economies, due to a lack of reliable data.
Additional Comments:
Working Group on Lessons Learned (WGLL) Ambassador Gyan Chandra Acharya, Chair of the WGLL, reminded people that the Working Group has had three discussions on the issue of youth employment in the past and that the topic of focusing on the demand side of employment was focused on in each. In his concluding remarks he commented on the importance of a regional dynamic to peacebuilding issues, particularly in West Africa where many of the issues have taken on a regional dimension.
United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) Speaking on behalf of UNIPSIL, Michael von der Schulenburg focused on Sierra Leone’s experience, during the conflict and in the years that have followed. Eleven years of war in Sierra Leone resulted in a generation of youth, devoid of feelings of allegiance to the country and lacking the practical skills and training to constitute productive and sustainable members of society. To this end, the PBC’s engagement in Sierra Leone has focused on youth employment as a priority area for peacebuilding in the country, yet more money and effort is needed to achieve true success in this area.
Beyond UNIPSIL’s broad calls for additional support to youth employment measures in Sierra Leone, Mr. Schulenburg indicated the practical and immediate implications of the discussion – informing a meeting convened by the President of Sierra Leone, to take place on 9 December.
SRSG GuineaBissau and Liberia (UNMIL) The Special Representatives to the Secretary General in Guinea-Bissau and Liberia praised the insights into the challenge of youth employment, brought up in the seminar.Both expressed a hope that the discussions would benefit the entire region, helping to inform and improve future policy devisions.. In particular, the SRSG in Guinea-Bissau stressed the need to view youth as an asset to a country’s future, rather than a burden to be feared.
Assistant Secretary-General of the PBSO Ms. Judy Cheng-Hopkins, the Assistant Secretary General for the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), emphasized four points:
More emphasis must be placed on the demand side of training. One particularly valuable method of gathering accurate information to inform such processes is the use of surveys to help gauge demand in the economy, the ASG described.The results of such surveys can be used to help produce more effective training programs.
Broadly, youth that have only known war must be trained in not only employment, but life skills.Without such effort, the future of post-conflict generations is anything but certain.
The private sector must be involved in the training process. Large, privately owned companies are looking for specific skills that can only be known and taught if the companies themselves are involved in the training.
More focus must be placed on the role of women in peacebuilding. The variable that most determines a return to conflict, is household income. Women’s income disproportionately benefits the household and, thus, women play a crucial role in the continued stability of the country.
Next Steps
Lessons learned from the seminar in Freetown will be disseminated throughout the various PBC country configurations to guide the creation of new mechanisms to help tackle the issue of youth employment.
Bemba ICC Trial Begins: The trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba has begun at the International Criminal Court’s headquarters in the Hague, for crimes committed in CAR.
Guinea-Bissau
UNIOGBIS Mandate Extended: The Security Council voted to extend the mission’s mandate, citing concerns over the military.
Burundi Rebels Regrouping in Congo In a UN report on the Democratic Republic of Congo released on 29 November, experts detailed the presence of National Liberation Forces (FNL) in DRC’s South Kivu province, which shares a border with Burundi.After months of rumors regarding recent violence in Burundi at the hands of what the government continues to term, “armed bandits”, the UN’s report adds significant weight to the contrary claims that the armed rebel group, FNL, led by Agathon Rwasa has begun to regroup and rearm in reaction to the country’s recent election controversy.In an effort to “renew his movement’s armed struggle,” Agathon Rwasa is said to have mobilized a 700-strong force of “experienced combatants,” and continues to recruit mostly former combatants (also from a number other opposition forces in Burundi) along the DRC – Burundi border, using mostly monetary incentives (80,000 Burundi francs) to attract new recruits.
Reuters Africa reported Wednesday, that special forces of the UN stabilization mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) have “neutralized” rebel groups in the area, including Burundi’s FNL.As part of its ‘Operation Protection Shield’ MONUSCO’s troops claim to have cut the FNL’s supply lines across Lake Tanganyika (bordering DRC and Burundi) and have limited the FNL’s recruitment efforts and attacks in the past month.“Since November 12 there has been not one hostile act,” on the part of the FNL, Lieutenant-Colonel Amadou Gueye told Reuters.
Human Rights Watch Report on Burundi In the context of an increasingly tense political and social climate in Burundi, following the country’s highly contested national elections this summer, reports of human rights abuses in Burundi have escalated as fears of renewed rebel violence also reach the surface (see above).A 23 November Human Rights Watch report entitled, “Closing doors?: The Narrowing of Democratic Space in Burundi” points toward both the ruling government’s and opposition parties’ participation in the abuses.Since the election, instances of disappearances, rapes and unfounded arrests have increased dramatically. The report details the government’s “crackdown” on “fundamental human rights. Political opponents face surveillance, arrest, detention, torture, and even death. Civil society activists and journalists fear that simply carrying out their work may put them at risk of arrest or physical harm due to the government’s acute sensitivity to criticism of the security or justice sectors.”Though many in Burundi feel that the government is actively involved in these disturbing events, the authorities continue to strongly deny these claims.
Attack on CAR border town, Birao A rebel attack on the Central African town of Birao left 71 people, including 65 rebels dead on 24 November.The northeastern town of Birao, located close to the border with Chad, has seen numerous counts of violence in the past year from rebel-government clashes.In this most recent attack, just nine days after the official withdrawal of the UN integrated peacekeeping mission in Chad and CAR (MINURCAT), the rebel group known as the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP) stormed the border town, forcing government troops in the area to retreat almost 12 kilometers outside the city limits.
The withdrawal of MINURCAT has long stirred concern in CAR, that the government would not be able to maintain control of especially the country’s most contentious outlying areas without the support of the UN forces.This latest attack on Birao has added weight to these warnings.
The rebel forces remained entrenched in Birao until 30 November, when government forces, supported by Chad, launched an attack on the city’s occupiers, that included artillery fire and attacks via aircraft. On the morning of 30 November members of the Chadian military used tanks to drive the rebels from the town. Chadian military became involved in the standoff after it was reported that Chadian rebel groups had taken part in the takeover of the CAR town.
Ziguele Entering CAR elections Martin Ziguele, leader of the Movement for Liberation of the Central African People and the main opposition challenger, has entered the 23 January president elections. He will appear as one of six candidates on the presidential ballot along with current President Francois Bozize and former President Ange-Felix Patasse.
Initially, it was not clear if Mr. Ziguele would be able to appear on the ballot. In protest of the registration process he did not submit his name by the deadline on DATE. Mr. Ziguele was the country’s Prime Minister from 2001-2003 and came in a close second to President Bozize in the 2005 presidential elections.
Bemba Trial The first fold of witnesses has been called to testify in the trail of Jean-Pierre Bemba. Mr. Bemba,a former Vice President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is on trail at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes committed by his army in the Central African Republic during 2002 and 2003.
The first witness to take the stand told harrowing accounts of soldiers raping young women and innocent bystanders being hacked to death by DRC troops. The witness is one of hundreds who have been approved to provide testimony to the court in this trial. Bemba has been accused on three counts of war crimes and two counts of crimes against humanity – all to which he has pleaded not guilty.
UNIOGBIS Mandate Extended The Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNIOGBIS) until 31 December 2011. The mission was established in 2009 and was mandated to help promote the stability of Guinea-Bissau. Members of the Council cited a lack of civilian oversight over the military and the continued detainment without due process, of those arrested after the 1 April coup attempt, as primary reasons for renewing the mandate. The Security Council also called on the international community to commit more resources to fighting drug trafficking in the West African region.
US cancels $30 Million in Debt The United States Government has cancelled $30 million dollars in debt owed by various Liberian Government agencies. In recent years the United States has cancelled $390 million of debt owed by the Liberian Government and provided $211 million in aid to repay loans to the IMF and the African Development Bank. At the signing ceremony, U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield praised the reforms and good governance practices that had been implemented by the Sirleaf Government. In response, the Liberian Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan praised the decision and made it clear that Liberia would need a strong partnership with the US going forward to ensure that progress continues.
Oil Discovery in Sierra Leone The American owned oil exploration company Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, one of the world’s largest gas and oil exploration companies, is reporting that it has discovered large deposits of high quality oil in deep waters off the coast of Sierra Leone. The discovery has the ability to transform the economy and the country’s future; however, the discovery has sparked mixed reactions from the public. back to top
ArmyRetakesTown: The town of Yalinga, previously under the control of the rebel force CPJP, has been retaken by CAR’s armed forces.
Guinea-Bissau
Suspected Drug Kingpin Named Navy Chief: Rear Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto was named Chief of the Navy despite the international community’s claims that he is involved in drug smuggling.
Prime Minister Accused: Carlos Gomes Junior has been accused of collaborating on the murders of two deputies.
Liberia
World Bank Donates $39 Million: Funds will go toward completion of a road construction project and other economic sectors.
Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, President of the Association for the Protection of Detainees and Human Rights, is claiming that Burundi police forces have executed at least 22 former FNL members. Pierre Chanel Ntarabaganyi, a police spokesman, refuted the claims as baseless. According to the police, the ex-rebels were killed during shootouts with officers. Mr. Ntarabaganyi said groups of rebels have been invading villages, looting, killing and raping in the process. In order to properly defend the country police have been taking the necessary actions to combat these rebels, Ntarabaganyi concluded.
Beginning with the discovery of bodies of opposition members floating in Burundi’s RusiziRiver on 21 September, accounts of violence pointing toward the police as the perpetrators have steadily increased.Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported on 19 October, that Burundi police and security forces have been rounding up members of the opposition for arrest, sometimes resulting in the detainees’ mysterious deaths.Family members of opposition forces have added fuel to the fire, circulating stories of kidnappings and murders at the hands of government forces.While the police continue to deny the allegations, reports of alleged violence continue to surface.As Radio Netherlands also reports, members of Burundi’s press have come up against significant resistance from the national police, in some cases, facing arrest when they attempt to speak out.Several members of the press have received threats or have already been sent to jail for reports not in line with the government’s claims.
On 7 October 2010 Burundipolice came face to face with the “armed bandits” that the government has been holding responsible for the recent killings in the Rukoko Marshes. The police received information that a group of bandits, dressed in army uniforms, had crossed the border into the Buganda Region from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Upon discovering the ‘bandits’ police engaged them in a two-hour shoot out before the bandits retreated across the border. During the fighting one police officer and one civilian were injured.
Former Senator Accuses Ex-Army Officials of Aiding Rebels
Burundi’s military officials cried foul over comments made by former Senator Richard Nimbesha in which he claimed that former members of the Burundian Armed Forces (FAB) are training a new rebel force in the country. The former senator said that if approached he would be able to provide evidence to back his claims. In response the army has launched an investigation and indicated that the “proper department” would be placing sanctions on Mr. Nimbesha.
The Secretary-General’s Special Representative (SRSG) to Burundi, Charles Petrie has told the press that the UN is extremely worried about the situation there, citing recent instability in the country as proof that “unrest has not left the region.”His latest remarks to the press come soon after the SRSG announced his plans to leave his post and take a new position in Somalia. Seeing Burundi’s opposition pull out of the country’s national elections this summer, was “the thing I regret most…”Petrie continued, "It was a bet, but a bet that did not succeed and they (the opposition) failed the people ...”.
Major General Andre Mazi has been named the Chief of General Staff for the Central African Republic Armed Forces.He will replace General Francois Mobebou. Prior to this appointment General Mazi served as the head of Bamingui-Bangoran Military Camp and previously held the title of Deputy Chief of General Staff.
The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has is becoming increasingly alarmed by the number of displaced individuals resulting from attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Since December 2008 the group has killed over 2,000, kidnapped more than 2,600 and displaced more than 400,000 people, according to UNHCR. This year alone, the LRA has carried out 240 documented attacks in areas of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and Southern Sudan. The brutal attacks on mostly isolated villages have left civilians afraid to return to their land, effectively forcing their dependency on aid provided by humanitarian organizations.
CAR Calls for Action Against LRA, Joint Security Force Created to Fight the Group
The government of CAR has called on the African Union (AU) to classify its fight against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) as war against terrorism, and to begin fighting the rebel group like the terrorist organization, Al-Qaeda.At a meeting of nations affected by the violence of the LRA, CAR Defense Minister Jean-Francis Bozize said "The LRA is now a terrorist organization like Al-Qaeda. Thus, it is urgent today to put an end to the atrocities of this rebellion." Representatives from Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan were also present.Classifying the LRA as a terrorist organization would allow effected countries to mobilize international support in the fight.
In a parallel development, CAR has also agreed to join a joint military force to fight the LRA. The force, comprised of the CAR, DRC, Sudan and Uganda will be administered and coordinated by the African Union (AU). The four countries will operate the mission out of a Joint Operations Centre that will coordinate the deployment of military, border patrol operations and communication in high-risk areas. The operation will also be supported by Nigeria and South Africa because of the advanced logistical capacities of the two nations.
Members of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) launched an attack on Birao, a town in the northern part of CAR on 12 October 2010. According to local police, five girls were abducted during the attack, while rebels retreated from the village when government soldiers arrived. During the attack rebels also looted several local shops.
In a government planned attack, CAR’s army regained control of Yalinga, a town in the eastern part of the country. The town had previously been under the control of the rebel group, Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP). The army was able to take Yalinga without firing a shot as CPJP fighters fled under the cover of darkness after being given advance warning of the government offensive. In contrast to government reports, France-based CPJP spokesman Bevarah Lala denied that the town had been taken by the government and insisted that the CPJP was still in control.
Rear Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto, former head of Guinea-Bissau’s navy until 2008, has been reinstated as “head of general staff of the navy”.Several key players in the international community have reacted negatively to the news.The United States has accused Mr. Na Tchuto of trafficking drugs in the past and in recent years took steps to freeze all of his U.S. based assets. The Admiral was also suspected of taking part in the country’s 2008 coup attempt and as a result was exiled for 17 months, secretly returning to Guinea-Bissau in late 2009.After the coup attempt in April 2010 Mr. Na Tchuto was again implicated in the planning of the overthrow. Members of the European Union (EU) and the U.S. have publically denounced this decision and warned that this latest action could further contribute to destabilizing an already fragile political atmosphere in the country. The states went on to say that Guinea-Bissau’s scourge of drug trafficking will continue to pose a significant problem until the country ensures trustworthy leadership at the highest level.
During the Admiral’s appointment ceremony, President Malam Bacai called upon Na Tchuto to clear his name with the international community.“By naming you to this position, I am only carrying out duties under the constitution. Military courts have cleared you, now it's up to the international community to appreciate it… But if irrefutable proof emerges, I take the chief of staff of the armed forces (Antonio Indjai) and the government as witness, (that) the necessary measures will be applied," the President stated.Admiral Bubo Na Tchuto contests the claims against him, citing lack of evidence as proof of his innocence.
Prime Minister Accused of Involvement in Death of Deputies
Seven members of the African Party for the Independence of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde (PAIGC) have accused Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior of being involved in the death of two PAIGC deputies. In an open letter titled “It’s Time to Act to Save PAIGC and the Dignity of the Guinea Bissau People” the party members claim that they have proven the Prime Minister’s involvement in the case and assert that Chief of General Staff Jose Zamora Induta confirmed the Prime Minister’s involvement before he died. The letter goes on to claim that the killings were carried out strategically to stifle political opposition and that 50 PAIGC officials have left the country out of fear that they would be targeted by the Prime Minister.
On 10 October the World Bank announced an additional contribution of $39 Million (US) in financial aid to Liberia. $30.8 million (US) of the funds would be directed towards the completion of the Monrovia-Ganta road project and the rest would be focused on power and key economic sectors. Mrs. Obigeli Ezekwesili, World Bank Vice President for the African region, said that the funds would be distributed through the bank’s International Development Association (IDA) fund.Mrs. Ezekwesili praised Liberia’s fiscal responsibility and spoke positively about the country’s efforts to strengthen its infrastructure.
President Sirleaf Introduce “Liberia Rising 2030” Plan
Under the Liberian government’s recently announced “Liberia Rising 2030” plan, the country aims to become a middle-income nation by the year 2030. The first phase of “Liberia Rising 2030” is already underway, as the Ministry of Planning and Economic Affairs and the Governance Commission have begun holding talks on the best way to create sustained development and economic growth. A key aspect of the plan calls for the Liberian people to take strong initiative in the process. The announcement of the “Liberia Rising 2030” project comes ahead of the conclusion of the Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) that will end in June 2011.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has named Major General Muhammed Khalid of Pakistan as the new Force Commander of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). The General has previously served with United Nations missions in Cambodia. He will succeed Lieutenant General Sikander Afzai on 28 November 2010.
Liberia has assumed control of the European Development Fund (EDF) in the country from the European Union (EU). The EU administered the fund throughout the country’s civil war and continued to do so at its close. At a ceremony to mark the event, President Sirleaf remarked that these new responsibilities demonstrate the EU’s faith in the Liberian Government and will help speed economic growth at the hands of the Liberian government. Planning Minister Amara Konneh will be named National Authorizing Officer and be placed in control of the EDF.
The European Union donated €6.6 million to the help improve health care coverage for young children and women in Sierra Leone, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported on 13 October. This past April the country’s Government launched a new healthcare initiative that provides free healthcare to children under five, nursing mothers and pregnant women in government hospitals and clinics. The total cost of the program is €64 million.
Selected recent developments and news items from Sierra Leone, Burundi, Guinea-Bissau, Central African Republic, Liberia and the region. Regional
Joint UN-AU Task Force Launched: The UN and the AU form a partnership to maintain peace and security throughout the African continent.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Configuration Adopts Review: The configuration adopts the draft review of the outcome of the High-level Special Session of the PBC on Sierra Leone.
Ex-Warlord to Run for President: Former warlord, Prince Johnson has submitted his name for candidacy in the 2011 national elections.
SG and President Meet: In a meeting at UN Headquarters, the SG and President Sirleaf discussed human rights and consolidating outstanding debts.
World Bank Proposes Road Project: The World Bank will work with the Liberian Public Works Ministry to develop an efficient road-building program in the country
Joint UN-AU Task Force on Peace and Security Launched The UN and the African Union (AU) entered into a landmark partnership on 25 September – with the formation of a Joint Task Force on peace and security to promote cooperation in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations throughout the African continent. As announced by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the AU Commission Chairperson Mr. Jean Ping, the Task Force will hold high-level meetings to discuss Africa’s most critical strategic issues twice each year. Currently, the AU and the UN operate joint peacekeeping forces in Sudan (UNAMID) and Somalia (AMISOM)
The adopted draft focuses on the appointment of a new Anti-Corruption Commissioner for Sierra Leone (Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara) and examines recent attempts to expand the role of women in peacebuilding and government. In addition, the draft stresses the importance of forthcoming national elections to be held in 2012, and the need to maintain support for the National Electoral Committee (NEC) and Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) to ensure that the elections are fair and transparent.
During the meeting, Foreign Minister, Mrs. Zainab Hawa Bangura of Sierra Leone spoke about the substantial progress in peacebuilding her country has made and continues to exhibit. She cited the impressive efforts underway to consolidate peace in Sierra Leone and acknowledged the important role of the PBC in realizing the steps ahead. Despite these advances, the country still faces daunting challenges and is mired by widespread poverty and a poor economic infrastructure, Minister Bangura noted.In her concluding remarks, Bangura voiced her dismay at the conspicuous absence of action and contributions to match the high level of verbal support for Sierra Leone’s peacebuilding process offered by the international community.
Security Council Votes to Lift Sanctions on Sierra Leone In a significant contribution to ongoing recovery efforts in Sierra Leone, the Security Council voted on 29 September to lift sanctions on the import of “arms and related materials” to the country. The thirteen year-old sanctions were put in place by the Security Council during the country’s civil war, which lasted throughout the 1990s, with an aim to stem violence in the country exacerbated by the flow of arms into the conflict. The Foreign Ministerpraised the Security Council’s decision and remarked that the action signals the beginning of a new era for the country, in which the government should begin focusing all of its efforts on national development.
Fifth SG Report on the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) Released In his fifth report to the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon identified the 2012 national elections in Sierra Leone as a major test of the countries overall (and future) stability. As tensions between the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) party and the opposition, Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) continue to run high, the Secretary-General’s report indicated a dangerous potential for violence in the country if the strain is not lifted in the near future.To address this challenge, the SG’s report called upon the Security Council to consider “mitigating measures” to reduce the possibility of violence.With or without the UN’s assistance, however, the Secretary-General firmly underlined that the success of the elections primarily lies in the hands of Sierra Leone’s government and the National Election Commission (NEC).
Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Addresses Corruption among Public Officials Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has successfully recovered two hundred million Leones ($60,000 (US)) from a number of corrupt officials in the country. The recovery comes just a week after Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara was approved as the ACC’s new Commissioner. Kamara named corruption and poverty the biggest threats to true democracy in Sierra Leone and emphasized that both issues must be tackled with equal vigor in order for the country to continue rebuilding. The new ACC Commissioner has laid out an ambitious plan for the future that includes deploying specially trained agents to oversee government departments and creating an extensive education and advocacy program.
IMF Concludes Mission to Sierra Leone Jan Mikkelsen, The International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Mission Chief to Sierra Leone , released a statement on the condition of Sierra Leone’s economy and a review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), an IMF program that provides funding to countries that face prolonged debt payment issues. The countries economic growth increased in 2010 with a projected real GDP of 4.5% compared to 3.2% for 2009. However, to achieve sustained future economic growth, the IMF concluded that the country must invest in infrastructure and social service improvements. Inflation remains a concern in the country where consumer prices increased 18% from August ’09 to August ’10 but the IMF Chief was confident that inflation would return to the single digits by next year.
Sierra Leone Army Chief Speaks Out Against Coups In an interview this month with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Brigadier-General Robert Koroma, new chief of Sierra Leone’s army, said that coup d’étatsin Africa restrict progress in the continent.Koroma announced that the military in Sierra Leone will now work within the democratic framework of the country. In years past, Sierra Leone’s military has acted independently – resulting in six coups in forty years. Along with a closer working relationship with the government in recent years, the army has been streamlining its operations by reducing the number of soldiers from 17,500 to 8,500 and is working on ways to integrate in more women soldiers, AFP reports.However, constraints remain.Even with the armed forces’ human capacity halved, the country continues to struggle to provide proper accommodation for its soldiers. Brigadier-General Koroma cited this situation as a major security concern for Sierra Leone, and something that must be immediately addressed.
Civilian Murders in Burundi Raising Fears of Unrest Escalating counts of civilian murders in Burundi are threatening the country’s political stability and are raising fears among the population, who suspect either the resurgence of civil war or the beginning of a new rebellion. For weeks the government has pinned the murders on “armed bandits”, but analysts are increasingly reporting that the murders bear a strong resemblance to the work of the former rebel group National Liberation Forces (FNL). The nature of the recent murders, in which civilians were killed but their houses were not robbed or ransacked indicates that these murders were not perpetrated by bandits, a political analyst, Simeon Barumwete from the University of Burundi wrote.
The threat of a renewed armed rebellion was heightened in June when FNL leader, Agathon Rwasa, fled Bujumbura after boycotting the presidential election over transparency issues. In a possible attempt to curtail violence, Rwasa issued a statement on 25 September 2010 appealing to the UN Secretary-General for help to prevent Burundi from falling back into civil war. Rwasa’s deputy, Alfred Bagaya released the statement to the media as Rwasa remains in hiding.
Ex-Rebels Among Bodies Found in Burundi River Local officials have positively identified four of the mutilated bodies found floating in the Rusizi river west of the capital city last week as former members of the FNL. Pierra Claver Mbonimpa, head of the Association for the Protection of Detainees and Human Rights, said that at least seven former FNL members have disappeared in the past weeks.Their whereabouts are unknown.
Belgium Calls on Burundi Factions to Restrain From Violence The Belgian Foreign Minister released a statement appealing to rival political parties in Burundi to exercise restraint by not resorting to violence during this unstable time, noting that the international community would not condone such violent action.
Drug Trafficking Continues in Guinea-Bissau Joseph Mutaboba, the UN Special Representative to Guinea-Bissau, has been working to secure a UN Stabilization Mission for the country. In an interview with New Europe, Mutaboba remarked that Guinea-Bissau requires basic security measures to help fight the scourge of drug trafficking in the country.Among Guinea-Bissau’s security gaps: its airports are not equipped with checkpoints, x-ray machines, sniffer dogs or adequately trained drug enforcement officials to prevent the movement of illicit drugs in and out of its borders.Mutaboba added that alternatively, the drug trade could also be combated through nation-wide reforms to increase social and economic development. However, politicians have shown greater interest in fighting amongst themselves for power than engaging in meaningful dialogue with the country’s citizenry, Mutaboba concluded.
Guinea-Bissau to Receive $30 Million in Aid from Angola At the conclusion of a Contact Group meeting on the situation in Guinea-Bissau at UN Headquarters in New York, the Angolan Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs announced that Angola would release $30 million (US) in aid to Angola. The money would be used to help reform the defense and security sectors.
back to top President Sanha Requests International Support during UN General Assembly Speech In his speech during the opening of the 65th session of the UN General Assembly, President Malam Bacai Sanhá called on the international community to increase aid to his country. Guinea-Bissau is suffering from high levels of poverty, organized crime, drug trafficking, unemployment and environmental degradation. Without international support the fragile stability the country is currently experiencing could be shattered, President Sanha explained. Sectors in need of the most pressing assistance, the President detailed, include security and defense.
CAR and Sudan to Establish Joint Force to Monitor Border The Central African Republic (CAR) and Sudan will create a joint military force to patrol the border between the two countries in an attempt to push out rebels from Chad and Sudan that have transitioned operations to the area. The rebels began moving to the area after they were expelled from the border between Chad and Sudan by a joint effort by the two countries. Sudanese officials in Khartoum fear that an unprotected border with CAR will allow the rebels to transport ammunitions and logistics into Sudan.
Liberian Ex-Warlord Prepares for Presidential Run Former Liberian warlord Prince Johnson is preparing to run for President of Liberia. Johnson, a warlord during the Civil War from 1989 to 2003 and currently an elected senator of NimbaCounty, is best known for appearing in a video where he is seen drinking beer while his followers torture former President Samuel Doe. Critics feel that a presidential run by the former warlord would destabilize the fragile peace in the country.
The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has recommended that Johnson be banned from serving in public office; however, the Commission made the same recommendation regarding current President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who’s admitted support of ex-President Taylor, now on trial for war crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hauge, caused controversy during her bid for the presidency.As of now, Johnson is set to run against President Sirleaf and former soccer star George Weah in the November 2011 election.
Secretary-General and Liberian President Discuss Corruption, Human Rights and Debt Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and President Sirleaf met alongsidethe high-level plenary of the 65th General Assembly on 25 September to discuss the progress Liberia has made in decreasing corruption, protecting human rights and consolidating debt in the country. To conclude, Ban praised the creation of the Independent Commission on Human Rights as well as progress made towards securing special funding from the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund under the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.
Liberia and the World Bank to Collaborate on Road Project After a meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, President Sirleaf and World Bank Vice President Obiagali Ezekwesili announced a joint, 10-year road development project in Liberia. The World Bank will work with the Liberian Public Works Ministry to develop an efficient road-building program in the country.
Liberia and World Bank Agree on $40 Million (US) Agreement to Boost Education The Government of Liberia and the World Bank have reached an agreement to grant $40 Million (US) to the country to develop Liberia’s education system. The money will be used to build and renovate 24 primary schools, 20 junior and secondary schools, purchase one million textbooks for students in grades five through nine, and produce 20 thousand teachers manuals. This grant aims to help improve an education system that ranks among the worst in the world.
National Advancement Plans: In his address to the UN, the President of Sierra Leone outlines plans to improve the situation in his country.
Burundi
Rumors of Civil War Resuming in Burundi A recent wave a violence in Burundi’s Rukoko Marshes have generated a number reports speculating on the resurgence of civil war in the country.Groups of armed men have reportedly been roaming the area north of the capital city, Bujumbura, forcing farmers and their families to flee to safer areas. On 15 September a group of sugarcane farmers was attacked by men with machine guns, seven were killed and seventeen were wounded. In the same area early the following morning over thirty cows were slaughtered.
While locals believe that these attacks were the result of a renewed rebellion, the country’s security forces insist otherwise. On 16 September Burundi Police arrested four men wearing military uniforms in connection with the murders the previous day. The authorities continue to assert that the killings were the work of“unidentified armed bandits”. In total 40 armed men have been arrested in connection with the crimes. Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a member of the police force revealed that many of those arrested were members of opposition parties.
Mutilated Bodies Found in Burundi River Fourteen mutilated bodies have been found floating in a river near Bujumbura. The bodies appeared to have been cut with machetes, tied up and then thrown into the river. The identities of the victims are not yet known but authorities believe that they could be connected to the recent violence in the Rukoko Marshes. The discovery of the bodies has further increased fears that the civil war is resuming. Earlier reports revealed that there have been sightings of heavily armed men in the northern and western parts of the country.
U.S. Increasing Aid to Burundi The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to providing aid to Burundi. On 9 September USAID released a statement detailing the U.S.’s $46 million donation to the country to help fight malnutrition. The following day the agency issued a grant to Burundi for $19 million to support economic growth and improve governance. This assistance comes on the heals of a July report by Transparency International naming Burundi the most corrupt country in East Africa.
Central African Republic (CAR)
UN Calls for Increased Aid to Prevent Conflict Speaking at UN Headquarters in New York 20 September 2010, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Member States to provide additional aid to CAR to help prevent conflict. Over the past two years, concern about widespread conflict has been renewed as a result of ethnic clashes in the North and violence in the border countries, Sudan and Chad. During his speech, the Secretary-General stressed the importance of continuing to push forward with the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) program to help bring about peace in the country and the region.
16 Killed in LRA Attacks in Northern CAR Members of the Ugandan Lords Resistance Army (LRA) killed 16 people, including two civilians, in two separate attacks on the town of Ouandda Djalle in the north of CAR. In response to the attacks, forces of the Union of the Democratic Forces for Unity (UFDR) launched a manhunt for the rebels and successfully freed 45 people who had been held captive since by the LRA since August.
Central African Republic Prepares Nationwide Census CAR is preparing to a launch a nationwide census that will last from September 22nd until October 10th. The goal of the census is to count the country’s population in preparation for the twice postponed presidential elections to be held on 23 January 2011.
Guinea-Bissau
IMF Arrives in Guinea-Bissau An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission arrived in Guinea-Bissau to assess the Extended Credit Facility program and the Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.In May the country received $34 million in aid from the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility. In accordance with this aid the government has committed to improving Public Administration, the Defense and Security sector and improved investment in the private sector. The country also received $1.5 million in aid under the HIPC initiative.
ECOWAS Leaders Say Guinea-Bissau Reforms Needed At the conclusion of the emergency summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), leaders called for immediate security sector reform (SSR) in Guinea-Bissau to aid in restoring peace. The meeting came after Guinea-Bissau’s president, Bacai Sanha, requested soldiers to help keep the peace. While a deployment of troops remains a possibility, ECOWAS members feel that proper training of Guinea-Bissau’s own soldiers in SSR procedures would successfully address the country’s security gaps.
Jonathan Goodluck, President of Nigeria and current Chair of ECOWAS, released a statement warning that Guinea-Bissaucould slide into anarchy if a solution is not found to the current security problem. A major challenge facing Guinea-Bissau is the role of the military in political matters. Last year, President Joao Bernardo Vieira was assassinated by members of the military shortly after a bomb detonated at army headquarters and killed the then Chief of the army, General Tagme Na Waie. Mr. Vieira was driven out of the country in 1999 by a military coup and returned in 2005 but his relationship with the military continued to deteriorate after his return.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone Receives €52.5m in EU Aid Sierra Leone’s finance ministry has released the details of a €52.5m aid package from the European Union. The package includes €23.5m for infrastructure projects to improve major roads and decrease the prevalence of flooding and landslides around the capital city. Another €16m will be allocated to the agricultural sector and €5m to enhance the productivity of services at the local level.
African Minerals Invests in Sierra Leone’s Future African Minerals, one of the largest employers in Sierra Leone, has decided to push ahead with the Tonkolili Iron Ore project. The company has begun construction of power generators, railways and a port to support the mine with the goal of becoming fully operational by December 2010. The exploration phase of the project has already employed 2,000+ Sierra Leoneans and many more will be hired in the near future.
In addition to the Tonkolili Iron Ore project, African Minerals has been working to promote child education by funding the construction of three new schools in the Tonkolili district. The company will also furnish the buildings, pay teachers salaries and provide 800 scholarships to students in the area.
Until 2007 African Minerals went by the name ‘Sierra Leone Diamond Company Limited’ (SLDC). In 2005 Frank Timis, the company’s chief executive officer purchased a 30% share of the SLDCL and in 2006 he increased that share to 34.6%. He is currently the chief executive officer of African Minerals and has been accused of flawed business practices by the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD).African Minerals denies NMJD’s claims. Youth in Sierra Leone Struggling Despite making promising strides towards peace and reconciliation Sierra Leone is failing to provide jobs for the country’s youth and widespread corruption could hinder further progress, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a recent statement to the Secretary Council.Currently, 800,000 youth are underemployed or unemployed in the country and the Anti-Corruption Committee of Sierra Leone has a consistently high number of cases to investigate. Secretary-General Ki-moon called on increased international investment to help with these issues.
In Sierra Leone, Marcella Macaulay, the Head of Programs at the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), addressed the issue of youth unemployment on a popular radio news show.She claimed that the ruling All People’s Congress party (APC) was failing to address the most prevalent issues facing the country’s youth and initiatives such as the newly formed Youth Policy and Youth Commission were not having an effect.
Elections Postponed: CAR’s legislative and presidential elections were postponed until January 2011 due to insufficient funds and security threats.
Research on the Impact of Conflict: A team of researchers from University of California conducted surveys in CAR to measure the detrimental effects of violence on the country’s population.
Sierra Leone
Human Rights:The Human Right Commission of Sierra Leone presented its third annual report and met with Mary Robinson, the UN’s High Commissioner on Human Rights to discuss the development of a National Human Rights Action Plan.
Education Reform:Sierra Leone’s government announced plans to revamp the country’s education system on 30 July.
Guinea-Bissau
EU Withdraws Support: The EU has decided not to renew its mission to support Guinea-Bissau’s security sector reform process.
Ruling Party Wins Senate and Parliamentary Elections Burundi’s ruling party, the National Council for the Defense of Democracy/Forces of Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), won the country’s Senate (28 July) and parliamentary (23 July) elections by a landslide. Burundi’s Independent National Elections Commission (CENI) declared that both elections went smoothly and without a presence of fraud, despite opposition parties’ continued boycott of the votes.
The CNDD-FDD won 81 of the 106 seats in the lower house of Parliament. The ruling party also took 32 of the 34 senatorial seats, marking their fourth majority win in this year’s national and local elections (that began in May). All opposition parties, except one, boycotted the parliamentary and senate elections.
The fifth and final national election will take place on 7 September to decide the local and village-level administrative positions.
Opposition Party Leader’s Position Threatened A government-backed, dissident branch of the National Liberation Forces (FNL) party dismissed its party leader, Agathon Rwasa, during a 350 person congress of the party held on 1 August. Emmanuel Miburo was elected as the new party chairman to replace Rwasa.Followers of the former chairman, however, have cried fowl over the replacement, calling it the CNDD-FDD’s attempt to damage the prominent opposition party. His supporters maintain that Rwasa still holds his position of power in the FNL.
Leonard Nyangoma, leader of the National Council for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD) party, another opposition party, has also fled Burundi fearing arrest by the ruling party’s authorities. back to top
Opposition Party Members Arrested Six members of the opposition group, the Movement for Peace and Development (MSD) were arrested by Burundi’s police force on Monday, 9 August.Police confiscated two grenades from the party headquarters.The leader of the party, Francois Nyamoya fled the country two weeks ago, fearing his own arrest.He is the third opposition party leader to flee Burundi under fear of police scrutiny, including Agathon Rwasa of the FNL, and Leonard Nyangoma (CNDD).
A spokesperson for the MSD called Monday’s arrest a “set up,” and part of an ongoing problem of “government and police harassment” of opposition parties and party members in Burundi.Party members said the police had planted the grenades. “Yesterday it was the FNL, today it is us, tomorrow it will be another opposition party,” Nyamoya added. back to top
Central African Republic
Elections Postponed CAR’s presidential and legislative elections, already twice postponed since April, have been postponed again until 23 January 2011 due to “security threats”. The elections, originally scheduled for April 2010, then May, and most recently 24 October 2010, have been postponed for various reasons, including unstable security in the country due to election funding problems and the rebel disarmament process. CAR has a remaining funding gap 7 million (US) dollars for this electoral process and many international actors, as well as opposition parties in CAR, support this latest delay.
The postponement means a further extension of President Francois Bozize’s presidency beyond his mandate, which originally ended in June. back to top
Conflict Study Human rights researchers from the University of California, Berkley recently conducted research in CAR to document the effect of conflict in the country. The purpose of the report, which details the harsh living conditions within CAR, is to bring attention to violations of international humanitarian law in CAR.Experiences of intense and violent conflict have touched the lives of the majority of CAR’s citizens, and the report shows that the country suffered from severely high rates of mortality, abduction, death threats, and displacement during conflict. Casualties during and after conflict are also often linked to disease, lack of basic health care, education, and social services. According to the report, due to their exposure to severe trauma, more than half of CAR’s population suffers from depression or anxiety. Results were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association on 4 August.
Human Rights On 3 August, the Human Right Commission of Sierra Leone presented its third annual report to Sierra Leone’s President, Ernest Bai Koroma, detailing “satisfactory” progress in the country’s human rights situation, built in part upon governmental efforts to develop infrastructure and medical support to assist Sierra Leone’s citizens.
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, reported progress in reducing Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rates and increasing access to reproductive healthcare, following her visit to the country from 27 to 30 July. Despite the many remaining challenges to the healthcare system in Sierra Leone, Ms. Robinson commended the country’s significant improvement in the area of women’s rights, including free healthcare for mothers and children. During her visit, Ms. Robinson delivered the key-note address at a dialogue on the development of a National Human Rights Action Plan for Sierra Leone.
Restructuring the Education System On 30 July, Sierra Leone’s government announced a plan to reform its education system. The plan includes changes in the years of schooling necessary to graduate, dress codes, language requirements, and performance contracts for teachers. back to top
Guinea-Bissau
EU Withdraws Security Support The European Union (EU) has decided not to renew its reform mission of Guinea-Bissau’s security forces.The mission, which was launched in June 2008 and is set to end on 30 September this year, will be withdrawn at the set end date, due to what the EU has characterized as a continued disregard for the rule of law and constitutional order within Guinea-Bissau.Following a coup attempt on 1 April, mutinous General Antonio Injai was appointed Chief of Armed Forces on 25 June.This act, paired with continued impunity in the country’s armed forces and the government’s refusal to release civilian and military leaders as a result of the coup attempt, prompted the EU to act.
The EU’s withdrawal follows the United States’ refusal to aid efforts to reform Guinea-Bissau’s military until the country’s armed forces have been purged of leaders with suspected drug-trafficking ties.
Government Allows Foreign Mission In response to the EU’s withdrawal, Guinea-Bissau has agreed to allow a foreign mission to help stabilize the country.The mission will be comprised of both international and regional actors, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) and the African Union (AU). The mission will aid Guinea-Bissau in regaining stability.
Legislative Elections takes place today (23 July): As elections to the 100 seats in Burundi’s Parliament is underway, the East African Community (EAC) announced it is sending an Election Observer Mission to the country.
Arms Trafficking Ring Discovered: Burundi police uncovered a cache of illicit arms bound for a stronghold of the rebel group, National Liberation Forces (FNL), casting a shadow over the election process underway today.
Burundian Military on High Alert: The military is on high alert after the Kampala, Uganda terrorist attacks on 11 July.Authorities in Burundi fear similar attacks within its borders.
Journalist Jailed for Treason: A Burundian journalist was jailed for treason after publishing an article criticizing Burundi’s military capability of defending against Somali terrorist attacks.
Drug-Trafficking Elicits Criticism by International Community: Concerns about drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau and its links to military authorities in the country continue, and the international community is voicing its displeasure with the current state of affairs.
Chief of Army, Indjai Vows Subordination of Army: Newly appointed Chief of the Army, and former leader of an 1 April coup attempt in Guinea-Bissau, General Antonio Indjai, said yesterday that he wishes to restore respect in civilian authority and the subordination of the armed forces to the political system in Guinea-Bissau.
World Bank Grants 20 Million (US): The World Bank is committing 20 million dollars (US) to Sierra Leone to support the country’s short to medium term existing youth employment programs through the Youth and Employment (YES) project.
HIV/AIDS in the Military: Rising rates of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone’s military ranks are beginning to jeopardize the military’s effectiveness.
SLPP to Discuss the Position of Women and Youth Employment: Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) plans to hold a national consultative meeting with party stakeholders to strengthen the position of women within the party during the upcoming 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Liberia Recieves 25 Million from PBF:The Peacebuilding Fund is set to contribute 25 million dollars (US) to Liberia for peacebuilding activities in the country.
Legislative elections held today (Friday 23 July), are predicted to continue the trend of uncontested wins for the ruling party in Burundi’s marathon elections.AFP reports that President Pierre Nkurunziza's party, National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Forces for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD), who won the presidential elections in June with reported 90% of the vote, is assured a win in today’s election.Seven political parties and two independent candidates are participating in the contest for 100 seats in Burundi’s Parliament’s lower chamber.
Several opposition party officials have labeled Burundi’s elections this year as a threat to the country’s democratization and peace process due to alleged widespread fraud in electing one ruling party. Tensions have only increased in the last few weeks, as reports of grenade attacks and more than 100 arrests of opposition supporters and officials have begun to surface.
Arms Trafficking Ring Discovered as Legislative Elections Begin Burundi police uncovered an arms trafficking ring after a confrontation with gang members in Bujumbura on Wednesday (21 July). Daily Nation reports that the arms were bound for the Rukoko marsh on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo, a base for the rebel group National Liberation Forces (FNL).Headed by Agathon Rwasa who has been in hiding since June after challenging the election of President Nkurunziza, the FNL is one of the largest opposition forces against Burundi’s sitting government and the party continues to boycott Burundi’s elections.News of the attempted arms shipment casts serious concerns for the legislative elections held today, amplified by the FNL’s call upon other opposition parties to boycott today’s elections.
Military on High Alert Burundi’s armed forces remain on high alert following the terrorist attacks in Kampala, Uganda on 11 July.The attacks were perpetrated by Al-Shabab, a Somali, Islamist terrorist group with ties to Al-Qaeda.Al-Shabab is fighting the Western-backed Somali government in pursuit of a future Islamist state for the country.The attacks on Kampala were a reaction to the presence of Ugandan troops in Somalia to defend against rebel forces within the country, including Al-Shabab.As Burundi also has troops in Somalia, Al-Shabab leadership has announced that it is the next target for their attacks – prompting the high alert from Burundi’s armed forces.
Journalist Jailed for Treason Burundian journalist and editor of the online daily journal Net Press, Jean-Claude Kavumbagu was arrested on Saturday on charges of treason. In the 12 July article leading to his arrest, Mr. Kavumbagu wrote about the 11 July terrorist attacks in Uganda, and expressed doubts in the ability of Burundi’s security forces to prevent similar attacks on Burundian soil.Human Rights Watch, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and other human rights advocate organizations have voiced their support for Mr. Kavumbagu and are appealing to Burundi’s government to release him on the claim that his arrest constitutes a violation of his right to free expression.
Rebel Attack in Birao After a rebel attack in the Northern city of Birao in the Central African Republic (CAR), left 13 dead on Monday (19 July), dissidents from the Movement of Centrafrican Liberators for Justice (MLCJ) claimed responsibility.Although MLCJ had previously agreed to enter the peace process and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) efforts with CAR’s government, a separatist faction of this rebel group stormed the city just before dawn, drawing gunfire from soldiers stationed in Birau, (a city located near the borders of Chan and Sudan). The soldiers defending the city are among nearly 300 UN peacekeepers stationed there.Some reports assert that the attack was triggered by the dissident faction’s anger at not being provided food allowances, as was outlined in their DDR agreement. CAR’s armed forces were able to regain control of the city after heated fighting.
This attack has raised doubts in CAR’s preparedness to host legislative and presidential elections this October (2010). These elections were delayed in April (and again in May) and have been plagued with a 7.5 million US dollar funding gap.If successful, the elections would be an important step in CAR’s peace and democratization processes.
Drug-Trafficking Elicits Criticism by International Community Concerns about links to drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau’s military continue to affect the country’s relationships with the international community.Most recently, Angola and Portugal – representing the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) voiced their concerns about criminal activity in Guinea-Bissau. The Cape Verde Premier, as well as Mariano Matsinhe (a member of the ruling party, Liberation From of Mozambique’s (FRELIMO) Central Committee), called for greater commitment of the CPLP, the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and the Economic Community of West Africa State (ECOWAS), to address the situation in Guinea-Bissau.
Several Civil Society actors, specifically Human Rights Watch, SOS Talibé Children, and the Association of the Friends of Children, are pressing Guinea-Bissau to adopt an anti-trafficking law. Currently, there are no such provisions to specifically criminalize human trafficking in the country, although it is a wide spread problem throughout Guinea-Bissau.
The European Union may end its program to reorganize and reform Guinea-Bissau’s police force and army because of persistent resistance from leaders in Guinea-Bissau’s defense forces. The decision has not yet been announced, but if the program is terminated, it will jeopardize regional efforts for sustainable peace and to fight drug trafficking.
Chief of Army, Indjai Vows Subordination of Army Newly appointed Chief of Armed Forces, General Antonio Indjai, said yesterday that he wishes to restore respect in civilian authority and the subordination of the armed forces to the political system in Guinea-Bissau. General Indjai went on to say, “from now on, Guinea-Bissau’s soldiers will be an example of discipline and respect to civilian power.The soldier is not above the politician; he must totally obey civilian power (and) he who will not respect this will no longer be part of us.”
This statement comes two weeks after Guinea-Bissau’s President launched an outspoken attack on the country’s military.“Guinea-Bissau is not the private property of soldiers…We will not accept being perpetual hostages in the hands of the military,” President Malam Bacai Sanha declared on 9 July.
World Bank to Grant 20 Million (US) The World Bank is committing 20 million dollars (US) to Sierra Leone to support the country’s short to medium term existing youth employment programs through the Youth and Employment (YES) project. The project will finance: 1) a Cash for Works component of $10 million, 2) a Skills Development and Employment Support component for $7.5 million, and 3) an Institutional Support, Policy Development, and Impact Evaluation project for $2.5 million.
HIV/AIDS in the Military HIV/AIDS is on the rise within Sierra Leone’s military ranks – where the rates have risen to 3.6% as opposed to the national average of 1.3%. The severity and extent of this infection threatens the productivity and effectiveness of Sierra Leone’s Armed Forces.
SLPP to Discuss the Position of Women and Youth Employment The opposition group, Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) plans to hold a national consultative meeting with party stakeholders to strengthen the position of women within the party during the upcoming 2012 presidential and parliamentary elections. This meeting follows a two day capacity building workshop, organized by the SLPP women’s leader, Isatu Kabbah, to discuss the importance of gender equality and collective participation in governance.
The contender for SLPP’s presidential nomination, Ret. Julius Maada Bio, has asserted youth employment as a priority for Sierra Leone’s future, and has accused the current president, President Koroma, for perpetuating corruption within the state.
Liberia Recieves 25 Million from PBF The Peacebuilding Fund is set to contribute 25 million dollars (US) to Liberia for peacebuilding activities in the country.An assessment mission from the PBC is expected to visit the country on August 15 for two weeks.Following this mission, Liberia is expected to accept the funds upon signing onto a peacebuilding strategy developed by the UN General Assembly.
At an informal joint meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Organizational Committee (OC) and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on 8 July, Ambassador Peter Wittig, Chairman of the Committee, briefed Member States on the importance of a strong partnership between the PBC and the African Union (AU).
Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, outlined the parallel missions of the AU and the PBC, and explained the joint principles upon which their relationship should be based.Each Chair of the PBC’s country-specific configurations briefed the MemberStates and the AU representatives on the situation in each Agenda country, including Burundi, the Central African Republic (CAR), Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra-Leone. Ms. Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Assistant Secretary-General for the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) also updated the membership on the activities of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and the five-year review of the PBC.Finally, Mr. Ramtane Lamamra, Commissioner for Peace and Security of the African Union, highlighted areas in which the AU could potentially work together with the PBC, and outlined the challenges faced by both institutions. Mr. Lamamra also evaluated the status of the peacebuilding process within each of the four PBC Agenda countries, from the AU’s perspective.
Participants’ statements at the meeting exemplified the membership’s support for the PBC and its work in the field, as well as for future PBC engagement in Africa. Both the AU and the PBC expressed interest in continuing communication between the two bodies, and coordinating their actions on the ground.
A PBC-AU Partnership
Shared Vision Recognizing the AU and PBC’s shared mission for sustainable peace and security in Africa, many speakers underscored their desire to see more coordinated, joint efforts on the ground from the two bodies. The Chair of the Organizational Committee added his voice to the call for a strengthened partnership between the AU and the PBC, and assured Member States of the UN’s unwavering dedication to peacebuilding in Africa, as evidenced by the PBC’s current engagement in Burundi, the Central African Republic, Guinea-Bissau, and Sierra Leone.
In his statement, the Chair of the OC lauded the PBC’s existing commitment to building a relationship with the AU, as evidenced by the PBC’s ongoing efforts to encourage national ownership of peacebuilding processes in its Agenda countries, with the support of regional stakeholders.He hoped that this meeting would accomplish three goals:
to lay the foundation for communication between the PBC and the AUSPC (and separately, between the PBSO and the AU Commission);
to exchange perspectives on the mechanisms needed at headquarters and on the ground to optimize the AU’s and the PBC’s comparative advantages; and
to celebrate the symbolic importance of a meeting between the PBC and the AUPSC, and to focus on the practical elements needed to reinforce the relationship between the two important bodies.
Collective Action The Russian Federation and other MemberStates agreed that to overcome the threats that African states continue to face, collective action between international and national partners is needed. Mali added that a rapid and effective communication system is important in ensuring collaboration and avoiding overlap of efforts among the various organizations on the ground.
Recalling past collaborative meetings and actions in which both the PBC and the AU participated, the AU Chairman underscored the need for enhanced joint efforts between the two institutions in the future. Further, the Chairman highlighted the comparative advantages of each institution and outlined the importance of partnerships at the regional, national, and international levels to address underlying causes of conflict and to establish long-term peace. Finally, he enumerated the AU’s fundamental principles in post-conflict peacebuilding including:
African leadership,
local ownership,
inclusiveness, non-discrimination and equality,
cooperation and cohesion, and
building capacity.
Financing the Partnership Rwanda suggested that the AU and the PBC should both concentrate on finding sources for financing to aid the partnership’s collaborative peacebuilding initiatives.Similarly, South Africa underlined the difficulty and great expense of mobilizing resources on the African continent, but recognized that the resources available can and need to be optimized through collaborative efforts.
National Ownership and Prevention The Commissioner for the AUPSC, emphasized the need for integrated peacebuilding efforts by reconciling existing approaches to the full spectrum of peace and security, from prevention to development. The AU focuses on ensuring that when national institutions are built within a country, the process is done through an inclusive national approach based on loyalty to the state, as well as the subordination of the national military to responsible elected authorities.The Commissioner focused on prevention as a necessary investment to tackle the underlying causes of conflict. Finally, he described the potential relationship between the AU and the PBC as a unique opportunity to broadly enhance the reputation of the UN, especially its peacekeeping missions, as well as to convey a sense of international solidarity and encouragement to the governments of relevant African nations.
Several Member States voiced their agreement that national ownership should become a central pillar of future peacebuilding missions.Switzerland, Burundi and the Russian Federation emphasized the importance of encouraging “African solutions to African problems” – underscoring the importance of involving and empowering national and regional stakeholders in relevant peace processes.
Central African Republic (CAR) Ambassador Jan Grauls (Belgium), Chair of the Central African Republic (CAR) configuration, said that CAR has made great progress since it was added to the PBC’s agenda two years ago. Inclusive political dialogue in the country has provided a forum for the government and Civil Society to work together to create a Strategic Framework for peacebuilding for CAR. This Framework has prioritized disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) for former combatants, as well as supported presidential and parliamentary elections in the country.
The configuration is preparing a list of former combatants in anticipation of the beginning (13 July) of the DDR process in one part of the country. The elections have been delayed twice, but are scheduled for the last three months of 2010. So far, the focus of the elections has been on ensuring a fair, transparent, and open process. The Chair has worked hard to mobilize resources and funds so that the elections can be carried out despite its current 7.5 million US dollar budget gap.He stressed the significance of maintaining the separation and equal prioritization of both the elections and the DDR process.
The AUPSC ascribes recent troubles within CAR to lack of funding.The Peace and Security Council’s main priorities for CAR include positive progress in the DDR process, and avoiding a security vacuum during the withdrawal of MINURCAT.AUPSC suggested working closely with regional organizations to avoid such a vacuum.
Guinea-Bissau Ambassador Maria Luiza-Ribeiro Viotti (Brazil), the Chair of the Guinea-Bissau configuration, briefed Member States on the Framework for peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau, approved in 2008. The Chair of the configuration described Guinea-Bissau’s Framework as a compact ensuring mutual accountability between the national government and the PBC to address the country’s most pressing issues including Security Sector Reform (SSR), drug trafficking, revitalization of the economy, and social dimensions of peacebuilding, notably youth employment.
In reference to the 1 April appointment of General Antonio Indjai as the new Chief of the Armed Forces, which has upset several members of the international community, the Chair of the configuration has exchanged letters with the Guinea-Bissau government and plans on monitoring the situation closely.
The Commissioner of the AUSPC underlined the importance of fighting against drug trafficking in Guinea-Bissau, as this criminal activity effectively threatens the stability of institutions and the democratic process within the country. The AUSPC also regrets the appointment of the new Chief of the Armed Forces, as this action will likely establish a culture of impunity and hinder chances for SSR in the country. The Commissioner concluded that in the case of Guinea-Bissau, the international community should remain involved to avoid spreading this insecurity throughout the region.
Sierra Leone Ambassador John McNee (Canada), Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration, labeled the Agenda country as an exemplary case of a post-conflict nation making a positive transition into a developing country. The PBC has aligned itself with Sierra Leone’s own Agenda for Change since the country became part of the its agenda in 2007.The Agenda for Change concentrates on issues such as good governance and rule of law, youth employment, human rights and gender equality, as well as the ongoing challenge of drug trafficking. The PBC’s priorities have been focused on promoting greater sub-regional cooperation and finding funding for Sierra Leone’s Agenda for Change. A conference in March, as well as an annual report presented in September this year, will be useful for tracking progress, establishing mutual accountability, and mobilizing resources for further peacebuilding efforts.
The AUPSC agreed that the case of Sierra Leone is a success story in progress and expressed a hope that the country’s exemplary democratic elections will be a positive contagion throughout the region.
Burundi On behalf of the Chair of the Burundi configuration, a representative from Switzerland characterized the current situation in Burundi as a crucial stage in its ongoing peace process.Ambassador Paul Seger (Chair of the Burundi configuration) recently traveled to Burundi to take stock of the country’s political situation. To date, two important elections have been held in Burundi; and the next two are scheduled for 23 and 28 July (legislative and senatorial elections respectively). The PBC is working closely with other actors, including the AU, to ensure that these elections are held in a peaceful, open and equitable manner.Switzerland emphasized that with the election of a legitimate Parliament to represent all of Burundi’s citizens, the country may well serve as a model for peace in the region.
The AUPSC also emphasized the significance of these upcoming elections. A lack of electoral competition in the June presidential elections was regrettable, but the AU believes that Burundi still has the potential to become a success in this regard. The international community should remain sensitive to and involved in the situation in Burundi.
Peacebuilding Fund Ms. Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), made it clear in her statement that the priorities of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) lay in supporting African programs. The PBSO is in the process of creating a reputation for the Fund as a strategic gap-filler. Despite tension between the security aspects of the PBF’s work and the development side, the funding is not wedded to particular sectors. Moreover, national ownership of peace processes must be ensured so that funds are delivered correctly and efficiently in those areas where they are most needed.
The Civilian Capacity Review (CCR) focuses on capacity development (greater reliance on civilians, rather than the military during peacebuilding times) and has found that the global South’s wealth of expertise in this area remains underutilized.Mali echoed the call for capacity building, specifically given the fact that many essential national institutions have been demolished within post-conflict countries.
NEXT STEPS
The Chair of the Organizational Committee will consult with the chair of the AUSPC to create a joint summary report including new working suggestions and the practical terms of this meeting.
Both the AUPSC and the UN PBC hope to utilize what was discussed during this meeting to continue conversation and collaborative efforts to achieve peace in Africa by optimizing each other’s comparative advantages.
The third and final open-ended consultation on the five-year review of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) was held on 7 July.Member States called for more flexible approaches to peacebuilding and a more strategic role for the PBC in the broader UN peacebuilding architecture.Speakers offered their views on how best to improve the PBC’s engagement in the field, strengthen the overall management of the Commission, and how to clarify the many roles of the PBC, especially the preventive dimension of its mandate.
Member States were particularly vocal on the question of the PBC’s engagement in peacebuilding at the country-level, especially the potential for multi-tiered engagement in the future, including options for ‘lighter’ forms of peacebuilding.
Also under discussions were the responsibilities of the PBC’s Organizational Committee (OC), and possibilities for strengthening the existing country-specific configuration (CSC) structure by potentially altering its Chairing structure.In addition, speakers debated criteria for entry and exit of PBC engagement based on flexible, context driven factors, as well as the possibility of an early warning mechanism.Finally, speakers offered their views on the analytical and coordinating capacities of the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and the effect of Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) allocations on the recruitment of additional PBC Agenda countries.
The discussion was guided by a final “Emerging Recommendations” paper, developed by the co-facilitators, which identified key issues and questions for the review under three clusters:
The issues were identified by the co-facilitators on the basis of informal consultations they held with relevant stakeholders since the review was officially launched in January.The clusters aim to solicit focused input and proposals from the UN membership as the co-facilitators prepare their draft report for the review.The final review paper will assess broader themes including: (i) the situation in the field; (ii) the working of the PBC at headquarters; (iii) key relationships within the UN and the outside; and (iv) the operation of the PBSO and PBF.Upon its distribution to the entire UN membership, the final review paper will subsequently be submitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council for appropriate action.This process is expected to occur in late July or early August.
Multi-tiered Engagement The paper offers voice to the increasing view among Member States, that the PBC’s engagement in peacebuilding at the country-level should not be limited to the fully-fledged country-specific configuration engagement, currently underway in the four PBC agenda countries.Instead, potential Agenda countries should be offered a menu of choices for PBC commitment in their respective countries, including a ‘lighter’ form of engagement, aptly named the ‘PBC-lite’ approach, focusing on regional and sectoral gaps and focused challenges.The variety of options, referred to as ‘multi-tiered engagement’ is also a source of contention over the difficulty of oversight of such alternative forms of peacebuilding, including questions on how to best ensure meaningful engagement in countries without prescribing to uniform and practiced means.
Speakers on 7 June generally called for enhanced examination of the PBC’s engagement strategies, allowing for the possibility for multi-tiered engagement, and overall, greater flexibility in the PBC’s approach to peacebuilding.Critical to this, a number of speakers noted, is the serious consideration of the wishes and assessment of national stakeholders on the peacebuilding needs of their own country.
Bangladesh (on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)), the European Union, Nigeria and others described the ideal PBC engagement as one in which the Commission approaches each country on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the contextual elements of each country’s specific peacebuilding needs.
Among their specific recommendations, Germany (as PBC Chair) and Nepal stressed that the PBC’s potential value-added to a particular country and situation must be considered in designing the PBC’s approach (including ‘PBC-lite’).
Sweden (on behalf of Nordic countries), and the United States, Indonesia, and others highlighted the importance of allowing “form to follow function” in peacebuilding pursuits.Such an approach would focus on a limited set of priorities and build upon existing national peacebuilding approaches and initiatives, instead of offering up an established “menu” of options for PBC engagement.
Countries including Canada, Japan, Cuba, Egypt, Australia, and India stressed that if a multi-tiered form of engagement is to be considered, the views and expertise of national stakeholders and domestic government must be consulted in developing an effective peacebuilding strategy.
Others, including Brazil, Nepal, Switzerland, and Peru expressed their concerns about implementing a variety of peacebuilding approaches too quickly, opting for the present, to preserve the current CSC architecture as the basic means for PBC engagement.These countries stressed that the next step for engagement is a more flexible approach, followed by future considerations of how to define multiple forms of peacebuilding engagement.
Strengthening the Organizational Committee (OC): Responsibility for all Generic Issues The paper outlined various ways to strengthen the PBC Organizational Committee.Specific to this discussion, the paper brought to light questions about the ‘lessons learned’ of the PBC – expressly the function, and added-value of the Working Group on Lessons Learned (WGLL), and whether or not the OC should continue the work of gathering information on the lessons learned from the PBC’s endeavors, and applying those lessons in place of the working group.
The majority of speakers called for the WGLL and the OC to continue their work in their current forms, while also recognizing a need for greater flexibility with regard to both bodies.Specifically, many Member States identified the Organizational Committee as a key body in the PBC.In the words of the Commission’s Chair, the role of the OC is “that of the custodian of the PBC’s core mandate,” while others added that the body stands as a key forum for the discussion of overarching policy and thematic questions on peacebuilding for the Commission.
Member States Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia expressed a wish that the WGLL remain operational in its current state, but that the topics under discussion within the body, should be tailored to give appropriate guidance and recommendation regarding the pertinent issues facing the PBC and current peacebuilding efforts, and that experts in appropriate fields be incorporated into the work of the Group.
Others were unsure whether the WGLL should remain in its current form.The United States remarked that as the OC should ideally focus only on one to tow issues per year, it remains unclear whether the WGLL should continue in its current form, as the entire PBC should become a learning body.Nigeria stressed that the WGLL should be working entirely for the OC and within the body as an internal source of information and review.Finally, Australia questioned whether the OC should be incorporated into the OC, as well.
Strengthening Country-Specific Configurations (CSCs): The Chairing Issue In the emerging recommendations paper, the co-chairs highlight the issue of ensuring capable Chairs of country-specific configurations. The current practice of chairing falls to Permanent Representatives based at UN headquarters in New York.Selection of Chairs is based on the individual’s experience in the high-level position as PR, the political sensitivity he or she has demonstrated and his or her access across the UN system.The paper underlines the potential for ‘widening the pool’ for recruitment of these senior representatives.Field-based (or capital-based/headquarters-based) Chairs may well bring relevant practical experience to the post and may inspire more confidence on the ground, due to a more permanent presence in the field.
Speakers were divided on the Chairing issue, voicing opposition to a proposed in-country Chairing option, or lauding the merits of such a change.Several Member States proposed a co-Chair structure, in which one CSC Chair is based in New York, while the other is capital-based, each with equal footing and voice.
NAM, Egypt, Uganda, Australia, expressed a willingness to explore the possibility of co-Chairs for CSCs.
The EU, Germany, Sweden, Japan, Peru, and Nigeria underlined the need for one chair, preferably New York-based.A stronger country-dimension and support from the ground would complement such Chairs in the future, these states noted.Germany added that role of the CSC Chair is in one regard, to offer a coordinated approach between UN headquarters and the field, and between the international community and national actors on the ground.
Criteria for Entry and Exit The need to draw up entry and exit criteria for PBC engagement was another focus of the paper.The co-chairs referred to Member States’ desire to identify the types of situations amenable to the engagement of the PBC, and the circumstances for which exit is required.On the other hand, the paper acknowledged the problems of attempting to identify such specific criteria, as they often do not incorporate the specific political context and wishes of the countries concerned.
NAM, the EU, Japan, Chile, Nepal rejected a one-size-fits all approach to exit and entry criteria for peacebuilding.Instead, peacebuilding programs should be based on the experience (and input) of each particular country – and entry and exit criteria should reflect this.
Germany, Brazil, Indonesia, added that particularly entry criteria should be based on realistic and clear assessments of the PBC’s potential added-value, and that throughout its engagement, the PBC should formulate political benchmarks to measure the progress of peacebuilding – to help with an eventual exit strategy.
The United States voiced its concern about the ‘ripeness’ of a country with regard to entry and exit criteria.The choice of the country matters tremendously in this sense, the U.S. added, and the PBC’s ability to engage quickly and effectively should be a top priority.In terms of exit criteria, the U.S. suggested that the PBC’s role be conceptualized as the bridge to a more stable future.Thus, the challenge is to create appropriate qualitative and quantitative benchmarks to measure progress made.
Nigeria described ideal exit strategies as based on the notion of setting long-term development paths, the priorities of which should be determined by national authorities, not the PBC.Early exit strategy criteria should thus reflect these long-term goals.
The UK concluded that in evaluating entry and exit criteria, Member States should avoid being overly prescriptive.However, the PBC’s engagement is likely to generate much better results where the host Government is genuinely committed to the peacebuilding process, and where a top quality and dedicated SRSG/ERSG and CSC Chair are present.
Cluster II of the paper addresses the question of the preventive dimension of the PBC’s work, and its role in this area of peacebuilding.Unclear to the co-facilitators, is the extent to which the preventive role of the PBC is stated in its existing mandate.A portion of the membership sees this role clearly stipulated in the Commission’s mandate and accepts the current scope of this role to be adequate.Others require additional clarification on this point.
The majority of Member States perceive the current mandate of the PBC, regarding its preventive role, to be sufficiently broad enough to incorporate an adequate focus on the preventive aspects of peacebuilding.
Instead of altering its mandate, several Member States, including the EU and Indonesia, made the point that the PBC’s preventive role could be strengthened through enhanced partnerships with other UN bodies such as the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Political Affairs (DPA).
Other speakers, including the Chair of the PBC (Germany) stressed that the body’s preventive role should best be guided by realistic assessments of the Commission’s value-added, further aided by the willingness of the country concerned.
Brazil, and other MemberStates suggested that in the future, the PBC should engage more actively in mandated preventive role, by keeping an eye on countries not included on its agenda, and working toward an early warning mechanism.The United States and the UK added to this thought by emphasizing the need for the PBC realistically to focus its efforts on countries and places where its engagement is possible and valuable.
Japancalled the PBC’s role in this aspect of peacebuilding into question, posing the question: “Is the PBC best placed to play a preventive role in peacebuilding due to its intergovernmental structure?”
Enhanced Capacity of the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) The emerging recommendations paper highlights the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) as a body within the UN’s peacebuilding architecture, vital in supporting the PBC and PBF with cross-cutting analysis of relevant issues and review of current best-practices.Faced with a view that the PBSO is not performing its mandated role to the best of its ability, the co-facilitators list the body’s problem areas.The PBSO’s analytical capacity, access to and use of experts across the UN system is lacking.In addition, the staffing of the Office is inadequate to support the PBSO in its mandated responsibilities.Finally, the paper emphasizes Member States’ concerns that the PBSO’s current position in the Secretariat does not elicit the desired attention of the UN system on crucial peacebuilding issues.
Broadly, Member States called for efforts to enhance the PBSO’s capacity and staffing, making the body capable of bringing the UN system together and enhancing its ability to absorb the significant expertise available across the system.To accomplish this, many Member States emphasized the need for more permanent core and non-core staff for the Office. As Cubastated, an enhanced staffing capacity in the PBSO would afford the Office greater clout in the decision-making processes of the UN (in matters concerning peace and security).In addition, a number of speakers made note of the need for the PBSO to enhance its relationships with other UN departments and agencies, such as the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Department of Political Affairs (DPA), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), UN programmes on the ground, as well as with international financial institutions (IFIs) and other relevant actors outside the UN system.
The United States asserted that before the PBSO can feasibly establish a bureaucracy within the Office by increasing its permanent staff, the PBSO must establish a successful record.One way for the Office to establish this success, Peru added, could be to act to ensure that allocated funds reach their appropriate and intended destinations.
Germany’s specific recommendations for increased capacity in the PBSO included upgraded technical expertise, capacity for mapping exercises and policy guidance to the PBC.
Brazil added that the matter of staffing should be referred to the 5th committee, and should not be dealt with directly, by the PBSO.
Allocation of Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Funding: A degree of Ring Fencing? The final point of the recommendations paper deals with the allocation of PBF funding.Funding for the PBC’s activities is made through the independent decision-making of the PBF which has, in practice, allocated approximately 60% of its funds to the PBC Agenda countries.This current system is questioned by Member States as a potential incentive for vulnerable post-conflict countries to join the PBC’s Agenda, exclusively to gain access to these funds.Others are of the opinion that to leave the funding at the discretion of the PBF’s Advisory Board and the Secretariat is the most prudent manner of allocating funds.
The majority of speakers emphasized the need for the PBC and the PBF to remain separate entities, and the existing synergies between the PBF and the work of the PBC does not require formalizing this relationship any further.The PBF’s ability to decide on allocations and disburse them quickly is the most important added value of this body, many Member States added, and a degree of flexibility and a certain amount of independence must be allowed to the Secretary-General in managing the allocation of PBF funding.
Others, including NAM and Nepal called for greater involvement of the PBC, the OC and CSCs in setting the priorities for PBF funding.This could potentially be accomplished through the development of an accountability framework.
Egypt added that in the future, the PBF should consider encouraging more predictable forms of voluntary funding, as financing for peacebuilding should go beyond the PBF and engage other actors in the future, such as the private sector.In addition, given the PBF’s role as a catalytic driver for action on the ground, the priorities of resource distribution should mirror the priorities in the field.One sure way to mobilize continued additional resources for peacebuilding work is to prove the success of the PBC on the ground.
The co-facilitators will be taking the views of Member States into consideration as they enter the ultimate phase of drafting the final PBC review report.The final report will be circulated among Member States, expectedly at the end of July or early August.The report will subsequently be submitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council for appropriate action.
Speaking at the meeting on 7 July were the co-facilitators (Permanent Representatives of Ireland, Mexico and South Africa), the Permanent Representative of Germany in his capacity as Chair of the PBC, and representatives of: Bangladesh (on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)), the European Union (EU), Sweden (on behalf of Nordic Countries), Canada, Brazil, Japan, Chile, Indonesia, Nepal, the United States, Switzerland, Peru, Nigeria, the Netherlands, Cuba, Egypt, Uganda, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Russian Federation, and India.
Guinea-Bissau: Cape Verde urges Guinea-Bissau army to be loyal to government, rumors that Prime Minister is losing grip on power; World Bank on two-day field visit, and IMF approval of support for Guinea-Bissau
Announcements
ECOSOC will be holding a joint event with the PBC on economic and food crises in post-conflict countries, ECOSOC announced on 21 May. The 2010 substantive session for the body will take place 28 June to 23 July. Read the full ECOSOC press release (5/21). Back to top
The Secretary-General will be traveling to Africa in June, beginning with South Africa to discuss the Millennium Development Goals, followed by Burundi, which will be in the critical period between municipal and presidential elections. View the transcript of the SG press conference (5/24). Back to top
ACCORD has issued a press release summarizing a recent event on the review of the PBC in Durban, which the NGO co-organized with the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO). AU Chairman Jean Ping, among other high-level participants at the two-day seminar on 29-30 April, gave a keynote address on “Peacebuilding in Africa: Perspectives from the African Union”. See more on the event.Back to top
The General Assembly concluded its two-day debate on the issue of human security on 21 May. Speakers called for clarity on a notion that observers said remained too abstract for international application. Others called the notion forward-thinking, synergistic and adaptable to UN efforts. The GA also adopted a resolution endorsing the main points of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations’ report from its 2010 substantive session, which addresses, among other issues, cooperation with troop-contributing countries; the restructuring of peacekeeping, guiding principles, definitions and implementation of mandates; and the strengthening of cooperation between the Security Council, Secretariat and other actors. Read the full press release (5/21) and an earlier PBCUpdate on the C-34 substantive session. Back to top
The latest report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (A/64/742-S/2010/181) was issued on 21 May. For the first time, the report includes a “shame list” of the most persistent violators for recruiting and using children. Also complementing the adoption of Council resolution 1882 last year, the report contains a list of state and non-state parties to conflict who have killed, maimed, raped and used sexual violence against children. The report will be discussed in mid-June at the Security Council Open Debate on Children and Armed Conflict. View the full report and the related UN News Centre article (5/21). Back to top
Burundi
Elections
Burundi began its municipal elections on Monday, the first of a series of polls set to take place between May and September. According to CENI, the national independent electoral commission, polling was extended on Monday in several stations for two hours after some political parties ran out of ballot paper. Several parties are expected to present strong opposition for the ruling CNDD-FDD party. The presidential vote will take place on June 28. Read the full Reuters article (5/24).
Charles Petrie, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General in Burundi, noted that many Burundians had cast their ballots on Monday in a peaceful elections environment thus far. “It’s a confirmation of Burundi’s emergence from its painful and violent past,” the ERSG told UN Radio. Read the full UN News Centre article (5/24) and listen to UN Radio (5/24).
The ERSG recently briefed the Security Council and the PBC on the elections preparatons in Burundi. Read an earlier PBCUpdate. Back to top
Central African Republic
Political situation
The parliament of CAR has voted to extend the president’s mandate until presidential and legislative elections can be held. The vote allows President Francois Bozize to remain in his current post even after his mandate expires on June 11, until presidential elections are held. The draft law, which changes the constitution, was adopted with 95 to six votes with one abstention. Presidential elections were initially scheduled for April 25, but had been pushed back to May 16, and then delayed again to a yet undetermined date. Read the full AFP article (5/10). Back to top
MINURCAT News
At its meeting on 12 May, the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) for two weeks, until 27 May, as an interim measure while the UN continued to explore ways of cooperating with Chadian authorities on the future of the mission. Last month, the UN and Chad reached agreement on a reduction of peacekeepers upon the request of the Chadian government. Read the full SC press release (5/12), the AFP article (5/12).
The Council convened again on 25 May and authorized the withdrawal of the 3300-strong MINURCAT, following the recommendation of the Secretary-General for a gradual drawdown. The force will be reduced to 2200 soldiers by July 15 (1900 in Chad, 300 in CAR) and 25 liaison officers, accompanied by no more than 300 police units. The final drawdown is set to begin 15 October, with nearly all uniformed and civilian UN personnel to be withdrawn by the end of the year. In addition, the renewed mandate no longer includes a provision for the protection of civilians. Read the full Washington Post article (5/25).
The Council’s authorization comes two days after the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes urged continued protection of civilians in the east of Chad, at the start of a four-day visit to Chad. Read the full UN News Centre article (5/24).
On 24 May ahead of a Security Council meeting on the mission, Amnesty International expressed concern over the proposed reduction of peacekeepers, warning that the withdrawal would put thousands and risk and have an adverse affect on the security situation in northeast CAR. "It will be impossible for the UN to maintain its presence in the Central African Republic without the logistical support and infrastructure offered from UN bases in Chad. The resolution therefore mandates a withdrawal of UN troops from Central African Republic," Amnesty International said. Read the full Amnesty International press release (5/24). Back to top
Security situation
“UNHCR is alarmed by reports we're receiving from our field offices of a dramatic rise in the frequency and brutality of the Lord's Resistance Army's attacks against civilians in the DRC and Sudan in the last four months, and increasingly in the CAR,” the spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has said. Read the full AFP article (5/14) and the UN News Centre article (5/14). Back to top
Humanitarian situation
UNICEF has warned that a lack of funds and difficult access for aid workers were threatening children’s health in CAR. Read the full UN News Centre article (5/21).
CAR refugees from the Sido area in the northeast of the country have been moved by UNHCR to Moula, a UN camp, in neighboring Chad. The Moula camp currently already shelters more than 4000 CAR refugees. Read the full UN News Centre article (5/07). Back to top
Sierra Leone
GoSL News
The acting head of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Sierra Leone urged the Vice President to ensure transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds earmarked for the implementation of a free health care program. Read the full Concord Times article via AllAfrica.com (5/24). Back to top
Economic recovery
Reuters reports that Sierra Leone is seeing a recovery in diamond exports, its main foreign currency earner, after the economic crisis hit world demand last year. Read the full Reuters article (5/25). Back to top
Guinea-Bissau
Political situation
Speaking at a joint press conference with Guinea-Bissau’s President Malam Bacai Sanha, the President of Cape Verde urged the Guinea-Bissau army to be loyal to the government. Read the full Afrique en ligne article (5/11).
Meanwhile, observers in Guinea-Bissau are saying that Prime Minister Carlos Gomes Junior is losing his grip on power, according to media reports. The Prime Minister was briefly detained in April by armed soldiers who also ousted the army chief of staff, General Jose Zamora Induta. Read the full Afrol News article (5/24). Back to top
International Financial Institutions
The World Bank started a two-day visit in the country to assess the current status of the Bank’s program there. The head of the mission said the Bank would continue to support the economic development of Guinea Bissau, whose economic growth for the year is projected at 5%. Read the full MacauHub article (5/25). Back to top
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $33.3 million arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility and an additional $1.5 million in interim Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) assistance for Guinea-Bissau. Read the full IMF press release (5/07) and the notice on the conclusion of consultations with national authorities (5/11). Back to top
The second opened-ended consultation on the five-year review of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) was held on 10 May. Speakers called for a more central and strategic place for the PBC within the overall UN architecture, and offered their views on how the PBC could improve its performance in resource mobilization, the promotion of mutual accountability, and delivering impact on the ground.
One of the most heated discussions revolved around the question of the PBC’s relationship to the Security Council and other key UN bodies, including a potential early advisory role for the PBC in the design and renewal of peacekeeping mandates. Also under discussion were the analytical and coordinating capacities of the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), the PBC’s relationship to such external actors as international financial institutions and regional organizations, and possibilities for a “multi-tiered approach” for the PBC as it continues to explore new means of engagement.
The discussion was guided by an “Emerging Issues” paper, developed by the co-facilitators, which identified key issues and questions for the review under six clusters:
The issues were identified by the co-facilitators on the basis of informal consultations they held with relevant stakeholders since the review was officially launched in January. The clusters aim to solicit focused input and proposals from the UN membership as the co-facilitators prepare their draft report of the review, which will be presented at the third and final consultative meeting expected to take place sometime in mid- to late June. The report will subsequently be submitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council for appropriate action.
The paper proposes that the PBC should occupy a more central, strategic place within the overall UN system. Key challenges in this area include reassessing the PBC’s relationship to the principal organs (Security Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC), as well as mainstreaming peacebuilding into the work of the Secretariat and UN efforts as a whole. The paper further raises the question of whether the PBC can better “earn” a strategic place, including through revisiting the added value of the Organizational Committee and the Working Group on Lessons-Learned. Other questions include whether the PBSO currently has the sufficient strength and analytical capacity to provide the necessary support to the PBC, and what role the Secretary-General might be able to play in according more clout to the PBC.
The PBC and key UN bodies
Speakers on May 10th called for greater synergy between the PBC and the key UN bodies, in particular the Security Council. Many supported the idea that the PBC should be placed at the center of the UN peacebuilding architecture, and that it needed to “earn” its strategic niche within the system.
Critical to this, as a number of speakers noted, was recognizing the legitimacy conferred upon the PBC, given its institutionally diverse and geographically representative membership—its members are drawn from the Council, General Assembly, ECOSOC, top troop-contributing countries and top financial contributors.
While there was general consensus on the need for stronger ties between the PBC and the Security Council, there were nuanced interpretations of what a “closer” and more strategic relationship would entail. Some called for regularized meetings between the Chair of the Organizational Committee and the Council President, while others suggested the participation of PBC country-specific Chairs in the Council’s informal consultations, which are usually closed to non-Council members.
Japan, Switzerland and others called for regularized/monthly meetings between the OC Chair and the Council President. Japan said the meeting could identify potential issues for the PBC’s discussions that would be useful to the Council.
Switzerland said the Council should invite Chairs of Country-specific Configurations to its informal consultations.
Egypt said the PBC should have regular consultations with the Council on follow-up to such issues as children in armed conflict, and women, peace and security.
El Salvador suggested that the General Assembly hold thematic debates for certain issues relevant to the PBC, and that ECOSOC include an additional theme in its substantive session on such issues as development in post-conflict countries. Peru also called for a structured relationship with ECOSOC.
Belgium said it was possible to integrate peacebuilding more into UN efforts both at Headquarters and in the field. The Secretary-General could play a crucial role in developing the peacebuilding dimension within the UN itself. Belgium also stressed that international ownership should be strengthened through increased support of and attention to the PBC’s Strategic Frameworks, such as endorsements or acknowledgement of the document by the Security Council or the General Assembly.
The Netherlands said the PBC should play an advisory role to the Council in the formulation of mandates of integrated peacebuilding missions.
Peru said the Secretary-General could play a greater role in formalizing periodic meetings between the PBC and Special Representatives for an exchange of lessons-learned and best practices.
The United Kingdom and others stressed the need to preserve the flexibility of the PBC. The OC’s current role was “just about right,” the UK added.
Pakistan, on the issue of multi-tiered engagement, suggested establishing a “faster consultative mechanism” within the OC at the expert-level.
PBSO
Many speakers called for enhancing the analytical capacity of the PBSO to ensure adequate support to PBC processes, and to make the PBC/PBSO a center of excellence for peacebuilding policy coordination and knowledge-building. This required increased interaction with UN agencies, where much of the expertise resides, and enhancing relationships with such UN departments as the Department of Political Affairs (DPA) and Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).
Canada and others stressed the need for more support from the PBSO and the UN system to enhance the PBC’s analytical capacity and ensure a stronger link with the field and UN actors.
Sweden and France emphasized the need to reinforce PBSO, especially in the form of technical and analytical capacity, to improve its performance in bringing the system together and providing greater input to Country-specific Configurations. Through a stronger PBSO, the PBC could increase its knowledge base and seek to strengthen its relationship with policy institutions, peacebuilding practitioners, regional and sub-regional actors, and NGOs, Sweden said.
The United Kingdom similarly called for a robust analytical capacity in PBSO to coordinate with IFIs, regional organizations and other UN entities in the field.
Brazil said the PBSO should garner existing expertise from UN departments, in particular DPA and DPKO. Like many others, Brazil called for increased resources for the PBSO. The Netherlands, echoing Brazil and others’ call for increased synergy with UN departments and agencies, supported increased coordination and coherence with DPA and the UNDP Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR).
Switzerland, Croatia and others said the PBSO should become a center of competence for UN peacebuilding policy.
Canada, Japan and others also called for sustained follow-up to the June 2009 report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (S/2009/304).
Membership
A number of speakers raised the issue of geographical representation in the Organizational Committee, but others, including the Netherlands, discouraged the review process from becoming an institutional battle.
El Salvador called for a more equitable geographical distribution of seats, including a possible seat for Central America, while Uruguay suggested that the rotation for TCCs take place among the top ten contributors, instead of the top five.
Burundi saw the need for a greater number of developing countries in the OC.
The paper asserts the importance of including early peacebuilding perspectives into peacekeeping with the view to facilitate a smooth transition. A key consideration in this area is the potential early advisory role for the PBC, in particular in the drafting of peacekeeping mandates, a long-established ambit of the Security Council. The paper also notes the need to ensure that the peacekeeping-peacebuilding transition does not lead to a loss of international attention and allocation of resources.
Speakers on May 10th saw peacekeeping and peacebuilding as a continuum. Like the debate on the PBC-Security Council relationship, there were subtle differences in speakers’ views on how exactly the PBC might play an early advisory role. However, there seemed to be general agreement that the PBC could provide early advice on specific peacebuilding aspects that a peacekeeping mission should provide support to.
Many speakers said the Security Council should draw on the PBC in relevant, specific areas of mandate design and review.
Germany (PBC Chair) stressed that an early peacebuilding perspective in the design of peacekeeping mandates would ensure a coherent vision and allow for the sequencing of initial actions. Partnerships with development partners were also important. The transition to longer-term engagement of the UN should be seamless and based on country-specific benchmarks, Germany added. Germany (PBC Chair), Canada and others supported a possible targeted approach on such issues as rule of law.
Bangladesh (on behalf of NAM) said the Security Council could request advice from the PBC on early peacebuilding perspectives for existing peacekeeping operations.
El Salvador and Peru supported strengthening interaction between PBSO and the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) for peace operations which encompassed early peacebuilding activities.
The PBC is tasked with helping to marshal resources to meet the peacebuilding needs of its agenda countries. The PBC is responsible for engaging with international financial institutions (IFIs) and donor countries to this end, but lacks funds directly at its disposal. Some questions under consideration are ways to strengthen cooperation with IFIs and the extent to which the interaction between the PBC and the PBF could be improved. There are also questions of motivation: whether the nature of the PBC’s efforts in resource mobilization should be catalytic or spotlighting funding gaps, and what development or political/security needs the PBC should focus on. A third aspect is how the PBC could promote a framework of mutual accountability between the government and the international community in resource allocation.
PBF
The Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) is a separate entity from the PBC and is housed in the Secretariat under the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. The decision-making processes of PBF allocation are in large part country-driven, through national steering committees which consist of national authorities, the UN presence, donor presence, and in some cases, civil society representatives. The PBF is nevertheless linked to the PBC, through its support to projects in countries on the PBC’s agenda. The Terms of Reference of the PBF, which set out guidelines for how the PBF operates, were just revised in May 2009, but the relationship between the PBC and the PBF has come under the discourse of the review process.
Aside from general agreement that synergy between the PBC and PBF is needed, there appear to be two major camps on the issue: a certain number of countries are calling for greater PBC oversight of PBF prioritization and decision-making processes, including resource allocation, while others (mainly donor countries) seem to prefer an apolitical PBF by keeping the PBC’s influence to a minimum.
Bangladesh (on behalf of NAM), Egypt and others called for a larger role for the PBC in priority-setting and resource allocation of the PBF.
Cameroon (on behalf of the African Group) suggested establishing a tracking mechanism to monitor the implementation of mutual commitments. Tanzania joined Cameroon and others in stressing the need for accountability and oversight mechanisms for the PBF.
Some donor countries delivered the counterpoint, arguing that the PBC should not take on an oversight role for the PBF (the PBF is a separate entity, housed in the Secretariat). Many speakers, however, noted that there was room for greater synergy and communication between the PBC and the PBF.
Sweden, Japan, and others said the PBF had a catalytic role to play.
IFIs and other actors
Speakers called for greater coordination and cooperation between the UN and IFIs, in particular the World Bank.
Germany (PBC Chair) stressed the importance of focusing on the political attention that the PBC could bring to a country and translate into resource mobilization. It was necessary to assess in which fora the PBC could leverage political weight in support of sustainable, political processes in the country, and where it could promote resource mobilization towards certain long-term issues or short-term funding gaps.
Canada said the PBC could advocate for a more strategic method of mobilizing resources, through multi-donor trust funds, outreach to non-traditional donors, and drawing attention to projects that were overlooked or neglected. This would be a way for implementing mutual accountability, Canada said.
The EU delegation said the PBC was ideally placed to promote mutual accountability. The PBC should take better advantage of the biannual review exercise in this regard, the EU said.
A number of speakers also highlighted the need for the PBC to reach out to non-traditional donors, and to explore South-South cooperation.
Bangladesh (on behalf of NAM) called for strategic PBC input to decision-making processes of IFIs.
The “Emerging Issues” paper highlights existing challenges in the PBC’s performance in the field, ensuring in particular that the PBC’s work in New York is well-connected with and effectively contributes to processes on the ground. Other areas under consideration are how the international community could best support national ownership, including through the option of a single strategy document such as the UN Joint Vision for Sierra Leone, and possibilities of new variations of engagement (rather than country-specific configurations) as part of a potential “multi-tiered” approach for the PBC.
Speakers on May 10th emphasized the importance of local and national ownership of the peacebuilding process, and the need for a tailored approach based on the country’s post-conflict needs.
France and others called for improved channeling of information from the field to New York, and vice versa. Norway said there should be close contact between the PBC/PBSO and the Executive Representative/Special Representative on the ground.
El Salvador, Tanzania, and the Netherlands, among others, called for the inclusion of a preventive diplomacy / conflict prevention approach in the PBC’s work.
The Netherlands noted that the PBC could pay more attention to the responsibility to protect, early warning and conflict prevention.
The United States identified best practices from past experience, including a good understanding of the situation on the ground through independent analyses, good coordination between various actors, flexible programming, a means to measure progress, and constant communication.
Canada, Germany (PBC Chair) and others stressed the importance of post-conflict needs assessments, noting that Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) could serve as a basis.
Canada said a multi-tiered agenda for the PBC will become appropriate, including a “light approach” that would consist of facilitating coordination and monitoring of progress of peacebuilding. This called for the consideration of other possible mechanisms, such as informal working groups, Canada added. Japan also supported a light engagement, including monitoring of funding gaps and thematic engagement on issues such as electoral processes and youth employment.
Denmark, Sweden and a number of other speakers suggested exploring possibilities for a PBC presence on the ground to act as a coordination mechanism, where needed.
The paper reaffirms the widely recognized role of regional and sub-regional organizations in supporting peacebuilding processes, and questions how the PBC could better take advantage of regional dimensions in its work.
Many speakers emphasized the important role of regional and sub-regional organizations, in particular the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Kenya said peacebuilding gains could be consolidated through economic reintegration with neighboring countries, and through efforts of regional and sub-regional organizations.
This cluster refers to possible new referrals for the PBC. The central question is whether the PBC is equipped with the necessary determination, tools and experience to move forward into an expanded agenda with other post-conflict cases, which may be more complex in nature, and larger in population and size, than the current four.
The co-facilitators were faced with tight time constraints as the day-long meeting was drawing to a close on May 10th. As a result, few member States delivered comments on this last cluster. The issue was touched upon in other parts of the discussion, but was not elaborated upon at great length.
The co-facilitators will be taking the views of member States into consideration as they enter their final phase of the review process and begin the drafting, in June, of a draft review report. The draft report will be circulated among member States ahead of the third and final open-ended consultative meeting, which is expected to take place in mid- to late June, and subsequently submitted to the General Assembly and Security Council for appropriate action.
Speaking at the meeting on May 10th were the co-facilitators (Permanent Representatives of Ireland, South Africa, and Mexico), the Permanent Representative of Germany in his capacity as Chair of the PBC, and representatives of: Bangladesh (on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)), Cameroon (on behalf of the African Group), India, United States, El Salvador, Canada, Egypt, Japan, Sweden, Brazil, Cuba, Burundi, Belgium, Kenya, Tanzania, the Netherlands, Peru, Croatia, Poland, United Kingdom, Lebanon, France, Switzerland, Uruguay, Pakistan, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Croatia, Norway, Angola, Denmark, Indonesia, Australia, the EU delegation, Thailand, and Benin.
Sierra Leone: PBF-supported state radio merges with UN Radio in Freetown; Free health care plan for mothers and children
Burundi: New ERSG to Brief Council ahead of elections; Tanzania naturalizes 162,000 refugees
Central African Republic: MINURCAT will reduce peacekeepers in Chad; Funding gap in efforts to stave off child measles
Guinea-Bissau: CPLP calls for inclusive dialogue; Fake drugs back on market; US accuses former navy chief Bubo Na Tchuto and air forces chief of narcotics trade involvement; IMF concludes April mission
Sierra Leone
UN News
The country's state radio broadcaster, known as the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Coroportation (SBC), has joined UN Radio in Sierra Leone to form a joint station which seeks to become an independent and professional provider of news and entertainment. UN Radio officially handed over its transmitters to SBC, and UN-trained Sierra Leonean staff will be joining the new broadcasting station, according to Ms. Sputnik Kilambi, the UN Radio station manager in Freetown. The UN will continue to involved, she added, since the Peacebuilding Fund provided the seed money for SBC. Read the full UN News Centre article (4/7). Back to top
Health sector
Sierra Leone is preparing to launch a free health care program for pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and children under five. The plan is expected to save the lives of more than one million mothers and children, with a projected initial cost of $19 million. Read the full BBC article and related BBC correspondence from Freetown (4/27). Back to top
Burundi
UN News
The Executive Representative of the Secretary-General (ERSG) in Burundi will be briefing the Security Council in May. The country is preparing for municipal elections to begin 21 May, followed by presidential elections on 28 June, and other election rounds up to September. ERSG and Head of the UN Integrated Mission in Burundi (BINUB), Charles Petrie of France, succeeded Youssef Mahmoud on 25 March. Read the Biographical Note. Back to top
Refugees
The UN has commended Tanzania for naturalizing some 162,000 Burundian refugees. UNHCR spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said it was “the most generous naturalization of refugees anywhere.” Burundians granted citizenship are already integrated into Tanzanian society and were not living in refugee camps according to reports. Read the full BBC article (4/16). Back to top
Central African Republic
MINURCAT News
The UN and Chadian officials agreed last week on a major initial reduction of blue helmets in the country, as part of the UN Mission in CAR and Chad (MINURCAT). In February, Chad had called for national security forces to take over and for the mission's mandate to be adjusted, citing new agreements on border security with neighboring Sudan, MINURCAT's limited capacity to provide complete security in eastern Chad. Results of talks between the UN and national authorities are expected to be presented through the Secretary-General to the Security Council in May. MINURCAT's mandate is set to expire on 15 May. Read the full UN News article (4/23). Back to top
Health sector
A critical funding gap of $16 million is threatening the UN's response to measles and child mortality in West and Central Africa, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned last week. Immunization and follow-up vaccination campaigns, funding permitting, were planned this year in Burkina Faso, Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo. Read the full UN News article (4/23). Back to top
Guinea-Bissau
Political context
Executive Secretary of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), Domingos Simoes Pereira, called for an inclusive political dialogue involving all stakeholders to ensure stability in Guinea-Bissau. He stressed that the cycle of recurring political instability in Guinea-Bissau could only be resolved through the real commitment of Bissau-Guineans. Read the full Angola Press Agency article via AllAfrica.com (4/23). Back to top
Drug trafficking
Reports from Guinea-Bissau and Senegal say the manufacture, distribution and consumption of fake drugs is back in West Africa, despite a concerted international effort to combat trafficking of the drugs, which include safe pain killers valued on the market at thousands of dollars. Read the full The Monitor article via AllAfrica.com (4/29). Back to top
The U.S. Treasury Department has accused two top military officials in Guinea-Bissau of involvement in the narcotics trade. The Air Force Chief Ibraima Papa Camara, and former Navy Chief Jose Americo Bubo Na Tchuto -- who recently left the UN compounds in an incident related to the 1 April ousting of the army Chief Zamora Induta and the brief detention of the Prime Minister -- were accused of facilitating a large shipment of cocaine from Venezuela in 2008. Read the full Voice of America article (4/9). Back to top
International Financial Institutions
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently concluded a visit to Guinea-Bissau, 15-18 April, where the IMF mission met with President Malam Bacai Sanha, Prime Minister Carlos gomes Junior, other high-level government officials, and development partners. The IMF, which had reached a preliminary agreement with the country in January on a macroeconomic and structural reform program for 2010-2012 under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), concluded it would be considering a decision over the coming weeks on the national authorities' request for an ECF-supported program. The ECF is a concessional facility for low-income countries, and its programs are based on national poverty reduction strategies adopted through a participatory process and contained in Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP). The IMF said in a press release that Guinea-Bissau's economic performance in March had been satisfactory, and that aprogram under the ECF would "help put finances on a stronger footing; catalyze much-needed budget support; and could pave the way for significant debt relief." Read the full IMF press release (4/19). Back to top
The PBC Sierra Leone Configuration met on 26 March for a briefing on the PBC’s latest field visit to the country. Sierra Leone remained a multilateral “success story”, but required the sustained attention of the international community in the lead-up to elections in 2012, Members of the Configuration said. Youth unemployment was still cause for concern and could pose a risk to the relative stability currently enjoyed by the country.
Chair briefing
The PBC delegation, led by Chair John McNee (Canada) and comprising the Permanent Representatives of Austria, the Czech Republic, the Republic of Korea, Liberia and Peru, met with President Koroma of Sierra Leone, national and district officials, political parties, civil society, youth and the diplomatic corps on the ground. The purpose of the visit was to take stock of progress made in peacebuilding areas and to examine ways the PBC could further contribute to consolidating those gains.
The delegation found the situation in Sierra Leone to be calm and showing progress in the priorities set out in the national Agenda for Change, the country's poverty reduction strategy, with which the PBC has aligned its engagement. The Agenda for Change outlines the government's strategy for poverty reduction and economic revitalization, and focuses on four key elements -- a reliable power supply to the country, productivity in agriculture and fisheries, a national transportation network, and the delivery of social services. The Agenda for Change is paired with the UN Joint Vision, which identifies the national priorities including good governance, youth employment, and illicit drug trafficking, and defines the contribution of the UN system for the implementation of the government's strategy. Read an earlier PBCUpdate for more.
The Chair commended the country for its latest efforts in combating corruption, as well as in other areas of governance. The PBC delegation found that increased decentralization had been bringing public services to districts outside the capital, Freetown, and strengthening the responsibility of local governance.
Political dialogue
However, important challenges remained on the political front. Many of the Configuration Members, including the Chair, cautioned that the promotion of inclusive democratic politics would become increasingly important in the period leading up to elections in 2012.
Earlier in the week, in a briefing to the Security Council on 22 March, the Chair of the Sierra Leone Configuration cited significant divisions and limited mutual trust between political parties.
The Czech Republic echoed that concern, and stressed the need for the UN and national stakeholders to coordinate their efforts with realities on the ground. The UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in the country (UNIPSIL) in particular should be able to respond to evolving situations, the delegate said.
Youth unemployment
Related to fears of political instability was the persistent problem of widespread youth unemployment, as noted by representatives of the Republic of Korea, Portugal, Bangladesh, Peru, and Nigeria. Bangladesh underlined the importance of capacity-building, such as vocational training and technical support, in order to address the challenge of youth unemployment. Peru suggested the potential for trans-national approaches to address youth unemployment together with migration and integration.
At the Security Council briefing on 22 March, the Chair of the Configuration had warned that many idle youth concentrated in urban areas and frustrated by social marginalization presented a “latent threat” of political instability in the country.
The Chair briefed Members of the Configuration that the government was working with international partners to address the challenge. In December 2009, a Youth Commission Act had been adopted; the government had further established a commission as a focal point for youth policies, as well as a working group which sought to stimulate jobs. Partners agreed to develop one integrated national program that seeks to create youth employment opportunities in various economic sectors. Within the government, the program would be led by a Youth Commissioner and include several line ministries and national authorities, while the international community would combine technical and financial support from the World Bank, the International Labor Organization (ILO), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the European Community, among others.
Regional dimensions of peacebuilding
Several speakers including Nigeria, Benin and Liberia also emphasized the importance of the regional dimensions of peacebuilding, in particular in the fight against drug-trafficking. The Czech Republic highlighted the potential role of regional cooperation within the Mano River Union (MRU).
Other peacebuilding priorities
The PBC commended Sierra Leone for the important progress made in the area of anti-corruption efforts, including the recent dismissal of three Ministers over the last year. Speakers however noted the need for continued such efforts through the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), highlighted by Austria. Liberia said both the ACC and the Human Rights Commission needed continued international support.
Liberia appealed for increased efforts to promote women’s rights and empowerment, including the participation of women in decision-making processes in governance.
Some speakers suggested channeling more investment into the private sector. Others stepped forward to identify potential areas of bilateral cooperation. Australia announced that it was sending an assessment team to the field to map out potential areas for support, such as the mining and extractive industries, while Brazil announced it would seek bilateral cooperation with Sierra Leone in the health sector.
Next steps
The PBC hoped to continue the work of identifying challenges and sustaining the momentum for Sierra Leone as it headed to elections in 2012.
New reports available on website on the PBC review informal consultation (17 Feb) and the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations general debate (22-23 Feb); Commission on the Status of Women continues at UN Headquarters; PBC delegation wraps up visit to Sierra Leone; MINURCAT mandate extended for two months; and more news from countries on the PBC agenda.
Announcements
The WFM-IGP matrix of issues on the first open-ended consultative meeting on the PBC review, held 17 February 2010, is now available for other close followers of the PBC. View the matrix on the PBC Review.
WFM-IGP has also issued a matrix on the General Debate of the 2010 substantive session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations (C34), visualizing some of the linkages between UN peacekeeping reform, the PBC, and broader peacebuilding. View the matrix on the C34.
The Commission on the Status of Women continues at the UN. In his remarks to the Panel on Violence against Women on 11 March, the Secretary-General announced the new UN Special Representative for Sexual Violence in Conflict, Margot Wallström, took her oath of office. Condemning sexual abuse during conflict, the SG urged action to end impunity for violence against women and young girls. He also referred to his campaign, “UNiTE to End Violence Against Women”, in which the Peacebuilding Support Office participates alongside other UN agencies.
Sierra Leone
PBC News
A delegation led by PBC Sierra Leone Chair, Ambassador John McNee (Canada), was in Sierra Leone on a five-day trip to meet with various stakeholders on the ground and discuss the ongoing engagement of the PBC, as well as progress made in peacebuilding priority areas. Early news reports said the PBC delegation also intended to discuss ways the PBC could contribute to the key priority areas set out in the national Agenda for Change, launched during last summer’s High-Level Special Session for Sierra Leone held at UN Headquarters. The delegation’s visit, 8-12 March, comprises the latest review exercise of peacebuilding progress made in Sierra Leone. Read the full Standard Times Press article and the Awareness Times article.
Sexual Violence
The UN and civil society urged action to end “alarming” sexual violence against women and young girls in Sierra Leone. Ms. Victoria Nwogu, a rule of law and gender expert with the UN Access to Justice Program, said sexual violence committed during the country’s civil war had yet to be addressed. The UN says nearly every Sierra Leonean woman will suffer sexual or gender-based violence in her lifetime. The national Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs may adopt a recently drafted Sexual Offenses Bill, which seeks to consolidate the numerous--and sometimes contradictory--existing laws relating to sexual violence. Read the full Voice of America article.
Guinea-Bissau
Economic Recovery
The government began to pay a debt of some 4.5 million Euro to local business owners, with the view to paying the total amount of some 27.4 million Uero accumulated between 1974 and 1999. The Finance Ministry said the initiative will allow the private sector to begin efforts in a sales campaign for cashew nuts, Guinea-Bissau's main export product. Read the full Macau Hub article.
Japan has provided Guinea-Bissau with financial support in efforts to boost their local industries and help develop efficient economic activity. Read the full Macau Hub article.
Burundi
Economic Recovery
The UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will undertake an Investment Policy Review (IPR) of Burundi on 12 April. The IPR seeks to assess the country’s legal framework for investment and will further issue recommendations on measures to improve conditions towards attracting enhanced foreign direct investment. The Burundian Minister of External Relations and International Cooperation and the Minister of Planning and Reconstruction will be representing the national government. Read the full UNCTAD announcement.
Central African Republic
MINURCAT News
The Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in Chad and Central African Republic (MINURCAT) until 15 May. Discussions continued with the government of Chad, which had called for the drawn down of the military component of the mission and argued Chadian forces were better placed to assume security responsibilities. For its part, the Council has noted the importance of keeping the mission on the ground, according to the Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, Mr. Alain Le Roy. Read the full UN News article and the Reuters article (via New York Times). The full text of the Security Council resolution is available here.
GoCAR News
The national government has announced that it thwarted a coup attempt planned by a group of soldiers and politicians. The Minister of Public Safety, Mr. Jules Bernard Ouande, said the plot had included reinforcements at the home of former President Ange-Félix Patassé. Mr. Patassé, who has announced his candidacy for the presidential elections next month, told AFP the government may be attempting to keep him from running. Read the full AFP article and the Voice of America article.
Members of the Security Council and the General Assembly gathered on Wednesday for the first open-ended consultative meeting on the 2010 Peacebuilding Commission review. A timeline was articulated by the co-facilitators—Ireland, Mexico and South Africa—appointed by the President of the General Assembly in December last year.
Marking the first of a series of three consultation meetings to be held through the spring and summer, Wednesday’s discussion saw the emergence of key elements on which general consensus appeared to be slowly crystallizing—both on the approach of the review process itself, and the issues that should be addressed. Many of the speakers called for a strengthened strategic role for the PBC, as the central political forum for discussing peacebuilding practice and policy and sustaining attention on post-conflict countries.
Among the issues that were suggested to be reviewed and improved were the PBC’s working methods, its role and position in the wider UN system, and its “networking” role vis-à-vis external actors, in particular international financial institutions and regional organizations.
The link between peacekeeping and peacebuilding was under heavy emphasis, alongside the possibility of a more formal consultative relationship between the Commission and the Security Council. Many speakers raised the need for the PBC to deliver tangible results on the ground, including through ensuring national ownership of peacebuilding processes and promoting further coordination and coherence in peacebuilding strategy among various UN and non-UN actors.
Participants included the Secretary-General, the Presidents of the General Assembly, ECOSOC and the Security Council, and numerous Permanent Representatives of Member States from the PBC and principal organs.
Background
The PBC is under its critical first five-year review, as mandated in its 2005 establishing resolutions of the Security Council and the General Assembly. The review, which seeks to assess the performance of the Commission since its operationalization in 2006, is seen as an opportunity for both taking stock of the PBC’s working methods and institutional components, and correcting the course where necessary in order to strengthen the young advisory body.
The nature of the PBC’s review is very much informal, in contrast with modalities in the form of Preparatory Committees, or the much longer review process occurring in Geneva of the Human Rights Council, which emerged alongside the PBC from the World Summit in 2005.
Led by the three facilitators—Ireland, Mexico and South Africa—appointed by the President of the General Assembly in December last year, the PBC review process consists of a series of informal meetings with stakeholders within the Secretariat, the PBC, and external actors, including the Bretton Woods bodies and development banks.
Review process and timeline
The co-facilitators presented a broad timeline for the process, including participation in the annual PBC Organizational Committee retreat to take place 5-6 March, two seminars involving States, civil society and other actors, and a field visit. The second open-ended consultative meeting with Member States is slated for April, during which facilitators are expected to present an “Issues Emerging” paper. The facilitators envision wrapping up the review in June, with the third and final open-ended consultative meeting, leading to preparations in July for any appropriate General Assembly and Security Council action. View the Outline Timetable.
The methodology and substance of the review had been under discussion among PBC Member States since last fall. It remains uncertain whether the General Assembly and Security Council will re-visit the founding resolutions of the PBC for substantive reform.
Many speakers on Wednesday, however, emphasized the importance of having clear objectives for the review and of producing an outcome that improves the added value of the PBC as one of the central bodies in the UN peacebuilding architecture. The co-facilitators all stressed the need for a transparent and inclusive review process in this regard.
President of the General Assembly Remarks
The President of the General Assembly (PGA), Abdussalam Treki, opened the meeting on Wednesday. His reflection on the PBC’s performance subtly took the PBC to task for “a general feeling that more should have been accomplished in the time so far,” and too much time spent on procedure and process.
Raising issues that should be addressed in the review process, the PGA questioned the success of the PBC in creating an impact on the ground in countries on its agenda, how coordination and coherence could be improved in international support including UN efforts, and the assurance of adequate resources and full national ownership of the peacebuilding process.
He said he would work closely with the Presidents of the Security Council and ECOSOC and the Secretary-General to ensure a successful outcome for the review.
Secretary-General Remarks
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the PBC must consider three key questions with the view to ensuring more tangible impacts on the ground:
- Identify specific areas the PBC has made significant contribution and how such results can be consolidated and applied to other countries;
- Identify weaknesses and challenges, and explore ways to address them; and
- Explore ways to enhance the PBC’s partnership and working methods with actors on the ground and UN bodies at Headquarters.
The Secretary-General added that better peacebuilding would prevent the recurrence of conflict, and subsequently help to ensure that peacekeeping missions would achieve intended results. He also urged Member States to consider ways of promoting national ownership, effectively monitoring progress made, coordinating security and development partners, and strengthening mutual accountability between the post-conflict countries and their partners. Greater coherence among various UN and other actors was highlighted. See the full statement and the related UN News Centre article.
President of the Security Council Remarks
The President of the Security Council (France) emphasized the need for a calibrated balance between the work of the PBC and the Security Council, and said the review process was appropriate to take stock of the PBC. He highlighted in particular the need to examine the strategic role of the PBC and its coordination work. The value-added of the PBC must be increased, he added.
Chair of the Peacebuilding Commission Remarks
The Chair of the PBC, Amb. Peter Wittig (Germany), said the PBC had originally been given a very ambitious role. While it had demonstrated signs of success, the review was a unique and timely opportunity to tap into the PBC’s potential. He said the co-facilitators must work to unite Member States behind a common goal to improve the PBC’s performance, and further encouraged them to visit the field to engage at the country-level.
Calling the review a “reality check”, the Chair highlighted several key issues, including the need for practical methods in future referrals of countries to the PBC and stronger engagement from ECOSOC, the Security Council, the General Assembly and various UN funds. The link between peacekeeping and peacebuilding and the importance of national ownership and capacity-building were also raised.
The Issues: Highlights
PBC within the UN System
A number of speakers including Switzerland and Nepal stressed the PBC should seek a closer, formal relationship with the Security Council, and others further proposed a structured relationship with the General Assembly and ECOSOC. The Netherlands, the former Chair of the Sierra Leone Configuration, suggested that the Security Council draw on the PBC’s advice in designing future integrated missions.
Canada, the Netherlands, and others agreed that the PBC should act as a core forum for discussing broader peacebuilding policy. It was also the PBC’s task to invigorate Member States’ engagement, Denmark on behalf of the Nordic countries said.
Spain on behalf of the EU, Uganda and others said the PBC should promote a framework of mutual accountability, and help ensure the delivery of commitments on Member States.
Peacekeeping and peacebuilding
There was wide agreement that peacekeeping and peacebuilding must be further integrated to ensure a smooth transition after peacekeepers pull out. EU countries specifically suggested that the PBC’s work be linked to the forthcoming substantive session of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations, or C-34.
Interaction with IFIs, development partners and other actors
Many speakers emphasized the importance of increased interaction with international financial institutions (IFIs), such as the World Bank and IMF, to ensure coordination and alignment in peacebuilding policy. New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Nepal and others suggested that, alternately, IFIs could benefit from the PBC’s convening and coordinating function. Several speakers said the PBC also had a role in further engaging donor countries, as well as the private sector, in peacebuilding processes.
Speakers including Botswana on behalf of the African Group said synergy should similarly be pursued between the PBC, regional and sub-regional organizations, and civil society actors.
Contribution to country-specific situations
There was a general consensus that the PBC must continue to ensure national ownership, including through the use of existing local strategies and actors. Some speakers, including Spain on behalf of the EU and Canada, emphasized the importance of the PBC’s early engagement with countries emerging from conflict. The Commission could contribute to an early analysis of peacebuilding potential and threats, by identifying critical gaps in peacebuilding efforts, and mobilizing the necessary support.
New referrals and changes to working methods and governance
The issue of new country referrals was also under debate. Many of the speakers suggested the PBC consider the possibility of engaging other countries, and in other regions, but there appeared to be a general acknowledgement that this would require changes to the PBC’s working methods that would allow it to expand its current agenda.
A number of speakers, including current country-specific chairs Switzerland and Canada, supported a multi-tiered, focused approach, with the PBC focusing on a narrow set of priorities for each country. The Netherlands stressed, however, that the internal working methods of the PBC should be considered by the PBC itself, with the involvement of the Organizational Committee Chair and the Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support.
Peacebuilding Support Office
Concerns were raised that the PBC needed improved assessments of progress made on the ground, and additional support from PBSO. In this regard, speakers including El Salvador, Nepal and Uganda said the PBSO’s capacity must be enhanced to ensure it can play its role more effectively.
Speaking on Wednesday were: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon; Ali Abdussalam Treki, President of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly; Nicolas de Rivière, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to the United Nations, President of the Security Council; South Africa (Co-Facilitator); Ireland (Co-Facilitator); Mexico (Co-Facilitator); Amb. Peter Wittig, Permanent Representative of Germany and Chair of the Organizational Committee;
And representatives of: Botswana (on behalf of the African Group), Spain (on behalf of the European Union) Bangladesh (on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement countries), Denmark (on behalf of the Nordic countries), Belgium, India, Brazil, United Kingdom, Peru, Japan, Switzerland, Uganda, Poland, Portugal, Kenya, USA, France, Jamaica, Canada, Benin, Pakistan, Tanzania, Nepal, New Zealand, Sierra Leone, Burundi, El Salvador, Uganda, and Chile.
Watch PBCUpdate for further statements & reports from the consultative meeting.
PBCUpdate issues new matrix of issues from the open-ended consultative meeting. (1 March 2010)
Photo Credits: UN Photo / Eskinder Debebe, 17 Feb 2010.
Increasing the efficiency, effectiveness, and relevance of the PBC emerged as the ultimate goal of the 2010 Review, as Members of the Organizational Committee convened on 27 January to discuss the year ahead for the young advisory body. The OC also elected Amb. Peter Wittig (Germany) as the new Chair.
Election of Officers
The OC elected new officers to the PBC during its formal segment. Following the election by acclamation of Amb. Peter Wittig (Germany) as Chair, the OC also elected Amb. Martin Palous (Czech Republic) and Amb. Jean-Francis Zinsou (Benin) as Vice-Chairs, pre-endorsed by the Western European and Others Group and the African Group respectively.
Germany only recently became a Member of the OC as a top financial contributor, replacing Italy. Election of the Chair of the Working Group on Lessons-Learned (WGLL), led by El Salvador, was to be postponed to a later date. See the current membership of the Organizational Committee.
Amb. Peter Wittig succeeds Amb. Heraldo Munoz (Chile), who was recognized by Members for his efforts in boosting the visibility of the PBC, including through outreach to regional and sub-regional organizations and to celebrities like Yoko Ono, who contributed music proceeds to the PBF for a time. Under his chairmanship, the PBC also held its first joint special event with ECOSOC, in partnership with the World Food Programme, on “Food and Economic Crises in Post-Conflict Countries”, in October of last year.
Chair’s Six-Point Agenda
With the 2010 review in mind, the new Chair outlined an agenda and his goals for the PBC over the coming year:
The PBC must fulfill its role in strategic policy coordination.The PBC must look for ways to strengthen the OC in setting an overarching policy, in order to enhance strategic coordination within the UN.
The PBC must play a central role in the cohesion of political, security, development and humanitarian actors.Partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations, international financial institutions and civil society are crucial, and should be complementary to the work of the PBC.
The PBC must promote a framework for mutual accountability. Engagement of donors should be guided by countries, in alignment with the relevant peacebuilding Strategic Frameworks.
The PBC should achieve a more structured relationship with the Security Council, including increased interaction.The Security Council should benefit from the PBC’s advice from an early stage, in formulating mandates for peacekeeping missions and monitoring the implementation of those mandates and Special Political Missions.
The PBC must work towards the identification of a clear set of priorities, especially with regard to channeling resources.The PBC should think about ways of improving flexibility of its working methods, and how monitoring of progress made can be carried out effectively. It should also think about exit strategies.
Best practices and lessons learned must be cross-fertilized.The PBSO’s capacity must also be enhanced in this area, to allow the PBC’s advice to gain operational relevance across the whole UN system.
The Chair also emphasized the need to “reinvigorate the vision of the PBC”. There was a need to follow up on the implementation of the Report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding in the aftermath of conflict (S/2009/304), as well as that of Security Council Resolution 1889 (2009) on women, peace and security.
2010 Review
The Chair’s agenda received wide support from other Members of the OC. Following his remarks, the OC extensively discussed the upcoming review of the Commission, noting that 2010 was a most critical year for both the PBC and peacebuilding. The OC was in consensus that the review was an important opportunity to take stock of the PBC’s performance, and that it should result in concrete proposals with the PBC emerging as a more effective, efficient body with increased influence and relevance in the UN.
Among the key messages conveyed by Members was the need to:
Intensify the relationship between peacekeeping and peacebuilding;
The peacekeeping-peacebuilding linkages needed to be strengthened, including through a stronger advisory role for the PBC vis-à-vis peacekeeping operations.
Strengthen the interface between the PBC and principal organs, in particular the Security Council;
A number of Members suggested a more structured and regularized interaction between the PBC and the Security Council on a monthly basis. The Security Council has lately examined this issue at its December debate on the Annual Report of the PBC on its Third Session (S/2009/404). The United Kingdom also made a suggestion to regularize monthly briefings to ECOSOC.
Improve the PBC’s flexibility and “light” approach to engagement with countries on its agenda;
The OC reaffirmed the need to maintain the PBC’s flexibility and adaptability to country situations. A light and multi-tiered approach—through advice on specific and thematic areas of peacebuilding—was desirable in order to avoid overwhelming post-conflict countries with limited capacities that may feel burdened by having to engage with the PBC. This was also a point pushed by the former Chair (Chile) including in the Annual Report of the PBC on its Third Session (S/2009/404).
Consider new referrals of countries to the PBC, and exit strategies for others;
Members pointed out that there were many other countries that could benefit from the PBC’s advice. New referrals should be looked at positively, and responsible exit strategies should be considered to ensure that the PBC could continue to take on new countries.
Improve coordination with external actors including regional organizations and international financial institutions.
The PBC should extend the outreach efforts of former Chairs to foster better coordination and cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations such as the AU, OECD-DAC, and the OAS, as well as international financial institutions like the World Bank and IMF.
Japan, Belgium and others also stressed that the PBC should have an important role in the review process, in consultation with the Security Council and the co-facilitators appointed by the General Assembly, namely Ireland, Mexico and South Africa.
Many Members also emphasized that the country-specific work must continue to deliver peace dividends on the ground while the PBC was under review. The United Kingdom said this country work should also inform the review process.
Among other suggestions made were: follow-up on the Report of the Secretary-General on peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict (Chair, UK); enhanced communication by PBC Members to their respective capitals (Belgium); review of the PBC’s relationship with the UN presence in the field (France); assessment of the PBC’s role in addressing socioeconomic aspects of peacebuilding (Czech Republic) and ensuring national ownership (Nepal, India, Egypt); and replication of the November joint bureau meeting between the PBC and African Union, with the possibility of including Members of the Security Council (Republic of Korea).
Also speaking today was Judy Cheng-Hopkins, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, who stressed that 2010 would be important in further developing synergies between the PBC and the PBF.
The PBC is soon to hold its annual retreat on 5-6 March to further discuss the review. The Secretary-General will be joining, and the co-facilitators have also been invited to participate.
This week: Sierra Leone parliament under attack for controversial mining bill; the pervasiveness of conflict diamonds; Burundi said to request departure of ERSG; New Deputy SRSG in CAR; former navy chief accused of coup attempt taking refuge at UN office in Guinea-Bissau.
Sierra Leone
Blood Diamonds Recent reports by NGOs point to the yet rampant problem of conflict diamonds, or “blood diamonds”, which in part fueled the civil war in Sierra Leone. In spite of the Kimberley Process introduced in 2003, the UN-backed sanctions system with the aim to rid the global market of diamonds mined at gunpoint by slaves and prisoners, such conflict diamonds are still circulating freely and being smuggled from such countries as Sierra Leone and Angola, reports say. Read the full Foreign Policy article.
Justice
Sierra Leone has made important progress in compensating victims of the civil war through reparations, but the process requires long-term commitment from the government and additional funding, the International Center for Transitional Justice has said, having reviewed the lessons-learned from a one-year reparations project supported by the PBF. “The reparations made to date have been an important effort by NaCSA [National Commission for Social Action], but we are afraid the government might see these as having filled its duty of complying with obligations to victims,” said Cristián Correa, who co-wrote the ICTJ report. Read the full IRIN News article and the ICTJ “Report and Proposals for the Implementation of Reparations in Sierra Leone”.
GoSL News
The Parliament has recently come under heavy criticism by opposition lawmakers and civil society for its questionable conduct in passing the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009. The Act introduces some mining reforms which seek to rectify bad mining laws of the past, including giving unchecked concessions to foreign companies and neglecting the needs to people living in poor mining communities. The new bill, members of the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and observers from civil society maintain, was not properly tabled in Parliament and lacked public consultation. Civil society has criticized the Act for offering excess powers to government officials, and the lack of oversight functions of the Minerals Advisory Board. Read the full IPS News article.
Health
The Japanese government has approved a grant of $1.3 million for the reduction of maternal and child mortality in Sierra Leone. According to UNICEF, the grant will help reduce child and maternal mortality rates by one third by 2010 through low-cost, high-impact interventions from health personnel, families and communities. Read the full UNICEF press release.
Culture
A feature article by the Los Angeles Times chronicles the initiatives of Sierra Leone singer Prince Kuti-George, known as “Innocent”, and how pop music is shaping political debate in the country. Read the full Los Angeles Times article.
Burundi
UN News
The Burundian government has requested the departure of the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General in Burundi and head of BINUB, Youssef Mahmoud, explaining that the organization’s mandate under the leadership of the peacekeeping department ends on 31 December, official sources told APA on 26 December. The Burundian Foreign Relations and International Cooperation Minister Nsanze Augustine said that the government had asked the SG to integrate BINUB into the UN Department of Political Affairs in accordance with the new UN integrated support strategy in Burundi for 2010-2014. Asked about reports that the ruling party did not get along with that diplomat, the minister did not deny the fact. Mr. Augustine said there had been several complaints by the ruling party that BINUB criticized all of its ills, while other political parties were lauded. Read the full Africa Press Agency article via Net News Publisher.
Elections
The UN is providing electoral assistance at a critical moment for Burundi as one million Burundians prepare to vote in May. Voters will receive free national identity cards as part of a campaign supported by UNDP and other agencies. The campaign targets in particular woman living in rural areas, as well as other vulnerable or isolated groups. Read the full UN News article and the UNDP press release.
The opposition Party for National Recovery (Parena) has selected its party chief, former president Jean-Baptiste Bagaza, to run for president in the June 2010 general elections. Colonel Bagaza, 63, led the military coup in 1976 and ruled Burundi until his overthrow in 1987. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via Google News.
Good Governance
Burundi’s main anti-graft watchdog group is claiming that funds allocated to current President Pierre Nkurunziza’s office have been misused. Proster Niyoyankana, general secretary of the Anti-corruption and Economic Malpractice Observatory (Olucome), said despite criticisms from the government his organization wanted accountability from the government. He also urged the parliament not to approve the 2010 budget. Read the full Voice of America article.
Transitional Justice
The UN Human Rights Office is assisting the government in leading a truth and reconciliation commission which seeks to redress the civil conflict of three decades ago. Read the full Breaking the Cycle article.
Central African Republic
UN News
The SG has appointed Bo Schack of Denmark as his Deputy Special Representative in CAR, the UN announced on 5 January. Mr. Schack will also serve as the Resident Coordinator, Humanitarian Coordinator and Resident Representative of the country, as part of the newly established Integrated Peacebuilding Office there (BINUCA). Mr. Schack has served before as the UNHCR Resident Representative in Burundi. Read the full biography note.
MINURCAT News
The UN Peacekeeping Mission in Chad and CAR (MINURCAT) Force Commander, General Elhadji Mouhamadou Kandji, met with the leader of the rebel group, Union des Forces Démocratiques et du Rassemblement (UFDR), General Zakaria Damane, on 1 January in Sam Ouandja. Reports say the UFDR chief promised to respect the rights of some 3000 refugees located in the camp at Sam Ouandja. Read the full Web Newswire report.
Security Situation
The northern town of Quartier Sultan in N’délé was hit by fresh fighting on 26 November when troops from the Central African Armed Forces (FACA) pushed back an incursion by rebel fighters from the Convention of Patriots for Justice and Peace (CPJP), news reports said in late December. CPJP initially announced it had occupied N’délé, the provincial capital of Bamingui-Bangoran, 670km north of Bangui, but witnesses have said that only a few of the invading party had firearms, most carrying machetes or knives. “This place had a problem, but it is now over,” a FACA sergeant said. Read the full IRIN News article.
The Ugandan military has announced that its forces have killed the acting rebel commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), Bok Abudema, last Thursday. The Ugandan military, which has been active in CAR territory on its hunt for LRA combatants, claims Abudema had been the second most senior commander under Joseph Kony. Read the full Voice of America article and the Agence France-Presse article via Google News.
Humanitarian Relief
More aid workers have been evacuated from the volatile northeast region of CAR. US-based International Medical Corps pulled out its mission following attacks in late December on aid workers in Ouanda Djale and Sam Ouandja. Read the full IRIN News article.
Guinea-Bissau
Political Situation
The former navy chief, Rear Adm. Bubo Na Tchuto, who fled the country after being implicated in a failed 2008 coup President João Bernardo Vieira, has returned from Gambia and is staying at the UN office in Guinea-Bissau. Read the full Noticias Lusofonas article (in Portuguese).
On the same issue, the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General said on 5 January that he had arrived “unannounced”. A statement issued by the government said it understood that Na Tchuto, which the government says played a key role in the country’s drug trade, wanted asylum in Gambia. Read the statement of the Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General and the Reuters article.
Health
According to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), growing use of contraception and greater access to reproductive healthcare are helping save lives in Guinea-Bissau. According to UNFPA, 1 in13 women in Guinea-Bissau die from pregnancy-related causes. Read the full UN News article.
GoGB News
The European Union has pledged $37 million to help pay domestic debt and the salaries of government workers, the government of Guinea-Bissau has announced. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in France said the deal was reached between the Minister of Finance of Guinea-Bissau, Joao Mario Vaz, and the EU ambassador to the country, Franco Nulli. For the first time in several years, the country will kick off the new year with a budget surplus, totaling around $16.5 million, according to the government. Read the full Voice of America article.
The PBC Sierra Leone Configuration convened a High-Level Special Session on 10 June 2009, marking a new phase of engagement by the PBC and the UN system with the West African country seven years after the end of its brutal civil war. Members commended the launch of a Multi-Donor Trust Fund and the development of a UN joint strategy which aims to coordinate the activities of the UN Integrated Office (UNIPSIL) and all 17 development and humanitarian agencies, programs and funds operating in the country.
SG Remarks
Addressing the PBC, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon commended the impressive gains made in rebuilding the country, but warned that the “outbreak of political violence in March of this year was a wakeup call on challenges that require urgent and continued attention.”
The governing All People’s Congress (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) signed a Joint Communiqué on 2 April, ending violence that threatened to spiral out of control between the two parties in early March. The Secretary-General said the UN stands ready to help the parties fulfill their commitments outlined in the Joint Communiqué, including through support under the Emergency Window from the PBF, which recently approved $1.8 million to support inter-party dialogue and strengthen the capacity of the Sierra Leonean police.
He called on the high-level gathering to work together to “make further progress in addressing the root causes of conflict, strengthening democratic institutions and promoting economic and social development,” adding that the PBC played an important role to help meet these challenges.
ERSG Remarks Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg, Executive Representative (ERSG) in the country and Head of UNIPSIL, presented the newly developed joint strategy called the “UN Family’s Joint Vision for Sierra Leone,” which brings together UNIPSIL and 17 UN development and humanitarian agencies, programs and funds that are active in the country in an innovative and integrated approach to peacebuilding.
A UN Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) was also set up in support of programs aimed to promote socioeconomic development, good governance and rule of law in the country.
The ERSG, who briefed the Security Council earlier this week on the latest activities of UNIPSIL, added that the Joint Communiqué signed in the wake of violence was not only of great significance for the country, but an example for other countries on how to intervene in a peaceful manner to resolve political differences and quickly quell conflict.
Also addressing the Special Session were President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, participating from Freetown; Ms. Zainab Bangura, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, who co-chaired the high-level meeting in New York; and Mr. Richard Konteh, Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
Mr. Emmanuel Tommy, Representative of the opposition party, SLPP, and Mr. David Tam Mbayo, a civil society representative of Citizen Radio in Freetown, were also part of the government's delegation.
PBC Reaction to Agenda for Change
PBC Members joined the Secretary-General and the ERSG in welcoming the development of “An Agenda for Change,” introduced by President Koroma. The Agenda for Change, which encompasses the country’s second Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRSP), focuses on four key priorities in energy, agriculture, transportation and human development. The document is guided by strategic principles in the areas of good governance, rule of law and human rights; macroeconomic stability; financial sector and private sector development; and natural resource management. The Agenda for Change also contains a section on the financing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PRSP.
The PBC noted that the document is nevertheless frank about the remaining challenges in Sierra Leone, such as corruption, the sub-regional threat of illicit drug trafficking; and most critically, the high level of youth unemployment in the country, which contributed in part to the political violence in March.
Members agreed that the Agenda for Change, which draws many of its strategic principles from the peacebuilding priorities identified in the PBC Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Sierra Leone, adopted in 2007, constitutes a good basis with which future engagement by the Commission, the UN system and the international community at large can be aligned for a more efficient and coordinated peacebuilding process at the country-level. The UN’s Joint Vision is for this reason closely aligned with the Agenda for Change, which seeks to set a robust national framework that would guide future strategies set forth by bilateral and multilateral partners.
While acknowledging the substantial progress made over the past three years--in particular through free and fair elections in 2007 and the establishment of democratic institutions—PBC Members stressed the critical need for the international community’s sustained attention and support to Sierra Leone, as the country shifts its focus to longer-term issues of social and economic development. Members expressed particular concern over youth unemployment, and also called for the full and effective implementation of the Joint Communiqué.
Amb. John McNee (Canada), Chair of the Configuration, encouraged all Members to contribute to the MDTF as soon as it became operational. Similarly, Foreign Minister Bangura made a strong appeal for continued and further support of both traditional and non-traditional donors to the MDTF. A roundtable is scheduled to be held in London this November, facilitated by the Government of the United Kingdom.
Statements were made by Chile, Egypt, the Netherlands, Burkina Faso, the U.K., Jamaica on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement countries, Morocco, Sweden, the Czech Republic on behalf of the EU countries, the European Community, Guinea, Bangladesh, Japan, World Bank, Ireland, Brazil, the U.S., Portugal, Germany, China, South Africa, Italy, IMF, Luxembourg, Canada, Thailand and Pakistan, as well as the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Country Team. A musical performance by Artists for Peace opened the high-level meeting.
In an open debate on post-conflict peacebuilding and the third annual report of the PBC, Members of the Security Council called for enhanced cooperation between the two bodies.
The Security Council debate on 25 November followed the General Assembly’s consideration the previous week of the same report, with speakers offering ideas on how to prepare for an inclusive and transparent review of the PBC in 2010, and how its functions could be improved to attend to the particular needs of countries emerging from conflict. Read the PBCUpdate on the GA debate for a full analysis.
The debates in the Security Council and General Assembly are expected to provide some general steer for the first review of the founding resolutions of the PBC, which outline the functions of the intergovernmental advisory body.
The Third Annual Report Presenting the report of the PBC on its third session (A/64/341-S/2009/444), the Chair (Chile) urged the Council and other UN bodies to make more use of the advisory body to realize its full potential. The Chair saw the PBC’s potential in promoting a smooth transition from humanitarian assistance to early recovery; ensuring synergy between peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandates; and supporting national capacity development for critical peacebuilding priorities.
The Vice-Chair (Republic of Korea) echoed the Chair’s concern that the PBC has not been sufficiently put to use by other UN bodies. Noting that the PBC currently had limited capacity in engaging multiple countries on its agenda, he suggested that new, innovative working methods be addressed.
Security Council and PBC Relationship Like many at the GA, speakers at the Security Council debate acknowledged the steady improvement of the interface between the work of the PBC and the Council, noting in particular the complementary roles of the two bodies regarding countries on the PBC’s agenda.
The strengthened interface is also reflected in the recent trend of the Council towards transforming some missions into integrated peacebuilding missions, which seek to coordinate the peace consolidation activities of UN funds, agencies and programs. Mandates of UNIPSIL in Sierra Leone, BINUCA in CAR, and UNIOGBIS in Guinea-Bissau contain provisions for assisting the PBC with the implementation of respective Strategic Frameworks for each of the countries in which the offices are located, supporting projects funded by the PBF, and contributing to peacebuilding in general.
At the same time, many speakers underlined the need for enhanced and regularized cooperation between the Security Council and the PBC. Belgium said there was a range of mutual interests in such areas as security, development, good governance and the rule of law, gender issues, children and armed conflict, mediation and the regional dimensions of peacebuilding.
Another salient issue was the further integration of peacebuilding efforts into peacekeeping initiatives from the outset. Delegates stressed that the Security Council, when formulating peacekeeping mandates should take advantage of the advisory role of the PBC, in particular that of the Working Group on Lessons Learned. Speakers also called on the UN system and wider international community to place greater focus on ensuring better coherence between conflict prevention, peacekeeping, peacebuilding and development.
The inclusion of early peacebuilding strategies is an increasingly prominent topic taken up in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations' (DPKO) consultations on peacekeeping strategy development. The PBC has a potential role in providing adivce to DPKO and/or the Security Council on matters related to early peacebuilding provisions in peacekeeping mandates.
Such a need for enhanced coherence in peacebuilding efforts has been gradually taking hold, but the process of clarifying the operational linkages between peacekeeping and peacebuilding is still in an early phase. Refer to an earlier PBCUpdate on New Horizon and peacekeeping reform, discussed by the Council.
More Rapid and Flexible Funding Many speakers expressed support for national ownership, a principle enshrined in the activities of the PBC. Uganda said the PBC should prioritize its engagement with countries to build on existing national strategies. He echoed other speakers in expressing support for the operationalization of the revised Terms of Reference (TOR) of the PBF. The General Assembly revised the TOR in June this year.
More rapid and flexible funding was also an issue to emerge from the earlier GA debate, as well as prior discussions within the PBC and country-specific work.
Private Sector, Civil Society, and Other Local Actors Strengthened partnerships with civil society, private sector and other community-level actors was essential, Finland said on behalf of the Nordic countries, highlighting in particular the role of women in all stages of the peace process.
Brazil and others emphasized the importance of enhanced coordination and leadership in the field. Regional organizations and actors involved in peacebuilding on the ground should avoid duplication and aspire to promoting synergies, with a strong UN presence leading the way, Brazil said.
2010 Review Turning to the upcoming review, Canada and others said the nature of the PBC's engagement should be flexible and adaptable, in accordance with evolving country-specific circumstances and stage of the post-conflict recovery. Many speakers also pointed out there was much room for improvement in the PBC’s role in the mobilization of resources.
In summary, some of the recommendations relating to the PBC’s functions included:
ensuring continued donor support for the implementation of Strategic Frameworks;
mobilizing adequate and sustained funding from traditional donors, while reaching out more actively to non-traditional donors;
capacity-building, coordination and coherence, with the view to achieving tangible and measurable results on the ground of the PBC’s activities;
“lighter” and flexible engagement with countries on its agenda;
“multi-tiered” approach whereby the body will dispense advice addressing specific themes and critical peacebuilding priorities, with more focus on policy dilemmas, strategic challenges, and operational difficulties, including those relating to the transition from peacekeeping and relief, to early recovery and longer-term development.
Also speaking at the SC Debate were representatives of the United Kingdom, United States, Mexico, Croatia, Russian Federation, Burkina Faso, Libya, Japan, Vietnam, France, China, Costa Rica, Turkey, Austria, Sweden (on behalf of the EU), El Salvador, India, Switzerland and Bangladesh.
The Security Council, chaired by Austria this month, will hold an open debate on 25 November to consider the third annual report of the PBC. The report, which was formally adopted by the Organizational Committee on 4 September and will come before both the Security Council and the General Assembly late this month, provides an overview of the activities of the PBC including the work of each country-specific configuration.
Background
The final draft report had been issued as early as July, but OC members had decided earlier in May to postpone the consideration of the report in the Council and the General Assembly from September to November. The aim was to better align the discussion with the timeline for the election of new OC members, slated for December.
Last summer, elections of members to the OC was substantially delayed due to regional group dynamics within the bodies from which PBC members are drawn. Election wrangling in ECOSOC stalled the selection process in the General Assembly, in turn delaying the selection of a new Chair, Vice-Chair and Chair of the Burundi Configuration. On 18 December 2008, the General Assembly adopted Resolution 63/145, determining that the term for members of the OC elected from the General Assembly would begin on 1 January, and invited the other relevant UN organs to similarly adjust the timelines for their members serving on the OC.
The General Assembly is scheduled to consider the PBC annual report on 20 November.
The Issues
PBC vis-à-vis the Security Council
One of the issues raised in the report, and by OC Members earlier this year, was how to (re)define and strengthen the PBC’s working relationship with the Security Council. It is broadly agreed among OC Members that the PBC should work to enhance its cooperation with other bodies in the UN system, but most especially the Security Council.
The Council for its part will address the PBC’s complementary role during its third year, which included policy development collaboration between the Chair and the Council President, and semi-regular briefings by Chairs of the country-specific configurations, when missions in the PBC agenda countries came under review of the Council. Moreover, peacebuilding offices in agenda countries that have transitioned into integrated offices (effective 1 January for CAR and Guinea-Bissau) are now mandated to assist the PBC with the implementation of the Strategic Framework for the country concerned.
While interaction between PBC Chairs and the Security Council has been on the rise, many OC Members have voiced the need to further regularize the cooperation between the two bodies for PBC agenda countries appearing on the Council’s agenda. The possibility of the PBC dispensing advice on specific peacebuilding priorities has also been under discussion among OC Members.
Earlier peacebuilding engagement
Interlinked with this issue is the increasingly recognized need to streamline early peacebuilding tasks into peacekeeping mandates when first being formulated by the Council. In this regard, it is likely that the Council, during the debate this month, will also give a firm nod to the report of the Secretary-General on Peacebuilding in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict, which highlighted the need for critical peacebuilding activities to begin at the earliest stages of a conflict and post-conflict situation. The SG report was discussed by both the PBC and the Council in July.
It has been the concern of some Members that peacebuilding tasks have been slow to enter into peace processes, often lost in the more palpable expediencies of security issues and conflict management and resolution. This has been on the minds of Secretariat officials as well. The Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), as part of ongoing UN peacekeeping reform efforts, has incorporated strategies for critical early peacebuilding tasks into its 2010 policy development plans for the "New Horizon" initiative. For more details on these plans, see our PBCUpdate on the latest New Horizon briefing.
2010 Review guidance
Another salient subject is the upcoming 2010 review of the PBC. During the debate, Members of the Council will likely be making general suggestions on the review’s approach.
On the agenda this week: Yoko Ono collaborates with PBC and PBF; New UN Policy on Post-Conflict Employment Creation and Reintegration; Threats of drugs and crime and a major cabinet shuffle in Guinea-Bissau; EAC electoral commission in Burundi; Pondering the legacies of the war crimes court in Sierra Leone; and more.
In a joint press conference with Yoko Ono on 3 November, the PBC Chair announced that proceeds from a re-release of the 1960s song, “Give Peace a Chance,” will be donated to the PBF. He called for more private-sector aid to post-conflict countries. Read the full UN press release.
The UN has issued a new system-wide policy aimed at creating jobs and boosting income generation in countries emerging from conflict. Jointly developed over three years by 20 UN agencies and international financial institutions that constitute the Inter-Agency Working Group on Post-Conflict Employment Creation and Reintegration, the policy will be piloted by UNDP and the International Labour Organization in five initial countries, including Burundi and Sierra Leone. Read the full UN News article.
The United Nations Standing Advisory Committee on Security Questions in Central Africa will hold its twenty-ninth ministerial meeting in N’Djamena, Chad, 9-13 November. Burundi and Central African Republic are among the 11 Member States composing the Committee. The meeting will review a draft regional legal instrument in Central Africa for the control of small arms and light weapons, among other issues. Participants are also expected to discuss the contribution of women to peace and security in Central Africa, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1889 (2009), as well as resolutions 1820 (2008) and 1888 (2009) on sexual violence in armed conflict. Read the full UN press release.
Burundi
DDR
Burundi has collected almost 14,000 weapons in its recently launched disarmament campaign across the country, officials announced last week. The national steering committee in charge of disarmament estimates some 70,000 weapons have been collected since 2007, out of an estimated 100,000 weapons in the hands of civilians. Read the full Reuters article via Alertnet.org.
Food Security
The African Development Bank granted Burundi $24 million to increase the nation’s food output, Clotilde Nizigama, the Finance Minister, announced on 5 November. The fund will cover the period 2010-2015 to improve food security for 500,000 Burundians affected by drought in the north. Read the full Reuters Africa article.
Electoral Assistance
The Electoral Support Mission of the East African Community (EAC) has concluded a visit to Bujumbura to assess the country’s needs for a successful electoral process beginning next June. $43 million was needed for elections, the mission said, but the government could only provide 14% of that amount. The EAC states have recently set up electoral commissions with the view to harmonizing electoral processes across Member States for improved sub-regional stability and development. Read the full New Vision article.
Guinea-Bissau
Drug Trafficking
Drug trafficking and organized crime are threatening the recently won political stability in Guinea-Bissau, UN officials warned the Security Council on 5 November. Joseph Mutaboba, the SRSG in Guinea-Bissau who recently briefed the PBC, cautioned that while there seemed to be a downward trend in cocaine trafficking over the past few months, drugs and crime remained “a significant challenge for stability in Guinea-Bissau and the sub-region.” UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa told the Council international efforts may have caused trafficking routes to move southward and further inland. The threat, though “less obvious than in the past, is still serious,” he said. Read the full UN News article and the press release.
GoGB News
President Bacai Sanha has reshuffled his cabinet, reducing the number of ministers from 21 to 16, according to PANA press. However, the number of secretaries of State was increased from 10 to 12. New ministers include Adja Satu Camara Pinto, Minister of Interior, and Aristides Ocante Da Silva, Minister of National Defense and Fighters for the Country’s Freedom. Read the full PANA article via Afriquejet.
Bretton Woods Institutions
An assessment mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is on its way to Bissau to evaluate the government’s performance under the post-conflict emergency assistance program. The IMF has provided the country this year with $2.7 million in June and $2.9 million in July under this arrangement, with the view to bolstering administrative and institutional capacities for sustainable economic recovery. Read the full Macau Hub article.
Central African Republic
Justice
The trial of former Congolese rebel warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba on charges of murder, rape and pillage in the Central African Republic will start next April, International Criminal Court (ICC) judges said on Thursday. Bemba is accused by the ICC of leading Congolese rebels who waged a campaign of rape and torture in Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003. He is charged with two crimes against humanity, involving murder and rape, and three war crimes, which involve pillaging as well as murder and rape. Read the full Reuters article.
Sierra Leone
Justice As Sierra Leonean war crimes convicts begin their sentences this week in Rwanda, the BBC's Umaru Fofana considers the achievement of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which has now finished its work in Freetown, in “Did Sierra Leone get war crimes justice?” Read the full BBC article.
Good Governance
Traditional justice and governance iares important for maintaining peace and social order in chiefdoms across Sierra Leone, government officials said at the recent launch of a report, “Reform is not Against Tradition: Making Chieftaincy Revelation in 21st Century Sierra Leone.” Participants said the chieftancy system needed to be strengthened and reformed, but not abolished. Read the full Concord Times article via AllAfrica.com.
GoSL News
President Ernest Bai Koroma has fired the Health Minister Sheku TIjan Koroma, who is facing corruption charges. The minister was removed by the national Anti-Corruption Commission, the commission announced in a statement delivered in Freetown on 4 November. Read the full Bloomberg article.
The 2009 Global Hunger Index reported that hunger has increased in all four PBC countries since 1990. All four countries also fell in the report’s bottom 10. The DRC had the most dramatic increase in hunger, with GHI deteriorating more than 50 percent. Read the full International Food Policy Research Institute report here.
Burundi
Refugees
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees urged Burundi to end its deportation of Rwandan Hutus that have not yet been classified by the UNHCR as refugees. Read the full AFP article on Google News.
Congolese Tutsi refugees have agreed to relocate to a camp in Eastern Burundi, after being impeded by security forces from returning to their homes in the terrorized eastern DRC. Read the full AFP article on Google News.
Impunity
Rwanda and Burundi plan to sign an extradition treaty that may facilitate the apprehension of suspects of the 1994 Rwandan genocide against the Tutsi. Read the full AllAfrica article.
Central African Republic
Drugs
Six African leaders, including one from the CAR, met with former French President Jacques Chirac to discuss how to combat the illegal fake pharmaceutical trade that is pervasive in many regions of Africa. Read the full Reuters article.
Guinea-Bissau
Economic Development
In response to the rising price of food, the European Commission granted 8.4 million euros to Guinea-Bissau for development of the agricultural sector. The funds will be distributed by the World Bank, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, and non-governmental organizations. Read the full Macau Hub article.
Sierra Leone
Justice
Next week, the war crimes court for Sierra Leone will rule on the appeal of three rebel leaders convicted of coordinating a campaign of sexual violence, mutilation, the court announced on Wednesday. This will be the last case the court will hear. Read the full AFP article on Google News.
Education
The President of Sierra Leone spoke about the deteriorating quality of the nation’s education system, and announced plans to increase funding for and improve the quality of education in Sierra Leone. Read the full AllAfrica article.
As government leaders gathered in New York for the debate of the 64th Session of the General Assembly in late September, the PBC received enthusiastic support from various leaders – and calls to begin preparing for the 2010 Review from others. Many of these speakers drew attention to the close link between peacekeeping missions and longer-term peace efforts. Also noteworthy were mentions of Sierra Leone as the exemplar of successful peacebuilding.
Support for the PBC
The PBC was highlighted by Angola and Uruguay as one of the innovative UN reforms to have emerged from the 2005 World Summit, alongside the creation of the Human Rights Council. Austria called the PBC a "new form of partnership" between post-conflict countries, donors and the UN to ensure that support matched local needs. Having recently joined the Sierra Leone Configuration, Austria touted the West African country as "a model case for successful peacebuilding" and also placed an emphasis on the importance role played by justice and reconciliation mechanisms in peace efforts.
Improving the PBC and Peacebuilding
Other countries were equivocal in their support for the PBC, underscoring in particular the development aspects of peacebuilding. This included Morocco, a Member of the Organizational Committee, which expressed its intention to continue to mobilize efforts for the support of African countries, in the spirit of south-south cooperation. Another OC Member, Thailand, also stood ready to enhance cooperation in peacebuilding. It was important to secure the right socioeconomic and political conditions for sustainable peace in countries emerging from conflict, Thailand noted.
Nepal, a newcomer to the OC, hinted at possible reform of the PBC’s work methods by citing the 2010 Review as an occasion to revisit the PBC’s work and “explore ways” to make peacebuilding more "effective" and "innovative". In his closing remarks, the President of the General Assembly (Libya), echoed some countries’ emphasis on the need to begin the review of the PBC and the Human Rights Council, slated for 2010. “We shall pursue all these objectives together,” the President said.
Countries on the PBC's agenda were also spotlighted in several countries’ remarks. Peacebuilding in Sierra Leone gave “comfort for hope,” Guinea said. The recent presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau were welcomed by several African states, as well as by Portugal, a Member of the Guinea-Bissau Configuration that often voices support for the small post-conflict country on behalf of the Community of Portuguese-speaking Countries (CPLP). Tanzania announced its naturalization of Burundian refugees -- some of whom have been in the country since they fled ethnic violence in 1972 -- and expressed its wish to further peacebuilding efforts in Africa.
Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping Countries often discussed peacebuilding as part of the broader UN architecture that included UN peacekeeping. Timor-Leste drew a lesson from its own experience by stressing that “it takes time to build national capacities and sustainable institutions,” while countries such as Ireland, Slovenia and Grenada called for continued efforts in peacekeeping with the view to bolstering other UN activities, including post-conflict recovery. Germany seemed to develop the idea of peacekeepers as early peace-builders by stressing that peacekeeping missions must lay the foundation for sustainable peace during or immediately following conflict. Echoing that view, the United Kingdom called for a more coherent approach to peacekeeping and peacebuilding. Read more about UN peacekeeping reform in a previous PBCUpdate.
Next Steps?
How -- or whether -- such issues and concerns would be revisited at the PBC's first five-year review in 2010 remains to be clearly articulated by the General Assembly or even the PBC itself. However, streamlining the body's working methods is a subject that has been contemplated in other fora, including the OC, although without much elaboration. The Report of the Secretary-General on Peacebuilding in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict also touches upon the issue but falls short of issuing any concrete recommendations. Read more about the SG Report in a previous PBCUpdate.
Several substantive NGO reports are out this week, on matters related to human rights developments in the PBC in 2008 by International Service for Human Rights, as well as a Human Rights Watch report on political violence in Burundi. DDR initiatives in Sierra Leone and other countries were discussed at a new UN forum on DDR processes in countries emerging from armed conflict.
Announcements
International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) issued on 19 June a new "Report on human rights developments in the Peacebuilding Commission in 2008" reviewing the PBC's effectiveness in addressing human rights as a cross-cutting issue in peacebuilding. The report finds that while human rights has emerged as a "key element" in the PBC’s work, "concrete results are spotty across countries." Read the full ISHR report.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has a new report on "Pursuit of Power: Political Violence and Repression in Burundi", which documents cases in which both the FNL and the ruling party CNDD-FDD in government used violence or intimidation against opponents. Read the full HRW report.
IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis project of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), came out with a new documentary film, “Under the Gun,” depicting violence and displacement in CAR. The film is available for viewing online at www.irinnews.org.
There is a new forum at the UN intended to enhance its work on the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process in countries emerging from armed conflict. The Secretary-General delivered a message to the International DDR Congress, held in Cartagena, Colombia, earlier this month, highlighting experiences of effective DDR initiatives in Sierra Leone and other places. View UN News article.
Burundi
Peace Process
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Chair of the Regional Initiaitve for Burundi, launched the Partnership for Peace in Burundi (PPB) on 29 May to monitor progress made in the peace process in the country until December 2009. The partnership is intended to “contribute to an enabling environment” for the upcoming elections in 2010, Mr. Dumisani Kumalo, a member of the South Africa-led mediation team, told reporters on 27 May. South African Nqakula, chair of the mediation team, expressed hope for the PPB’s success, as the country is “now moving to a new phase which is the phase of consolidating peace.” Evariste Ndayishimiye, the Burundian government’s representative in the partnership, was also optimistic, saying the “FNL is now part of Burundian society, with its integration in institutions and its involvement in the DDR process.” View IRIN News article.
Refugees
UNHCR expressed concern over the repatriation on 2 June of a large group of Burundian refugees from Kigeme camp in Rwanda. The number of returning refugees is estimated to be over 400, according to the UN refugee agency. In April, Rwanda, Burundi and UNHCR re-launched sensitization campaigns to inform 2000 remaining Burundian refugees at Kigeme camp about assistance they can receive for repatriation. More than 1500 of these refugees opted to return voluntarily since 18 May, but UNHCR said it was distressed that many in the Kigeme camp were in fact forced to return home immediately, contrary to an agreement reached during a recent Tripartite Commission session. View UNHCR press release.
Guinea-Bissau
Security
Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Paul Dike, has been mandated by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Chiefs of Defence, to lead a contact mission to mediate in the political crisis in Guinea Bissau. Two high-profile political officials allegedly linked to Guinea-Bissau's recently assassinated president were killed June 5, according to a statement from the West African country's interim army chief on 15 June. The killings raised fears that a military coup may be under way. The mission is expected to help find ways to address the multiple political and security challenges that could potentially further destabilize the country, ahead of elections. View African Press International (API) article. Portugal and Nigeria have appealed for an international force to step in and stabilize Guinea-Bissau, gripped by lawlessness and instability ahead of elections scheduled for later this month. The Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Luis Amado said on 17 June that other West African nations also supported an international presence there, and that it "would be positive for Guinea-Bissau, because it would generate more confidence and more involvement of the international community," according to the state news agency Lusa. The UN has a political but no military presence in the country. Mr. Amado discussed the idea of an international force with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, currently chairing ECOWAS that is scheduled to discuss the preparations for Guinea-Bissau's elections next week. View Reuters article.
Elections The interim President Raimundo Pereira has announced Guinea-Bissau will maintain the June 28 election date, despite the recent killing of a leading presidential candidate and the minister of defence by military. "Having listened to all those involved in the electoral process, that is to say the political parties, civil society and the military leaders, I have decided to keep June 28 as the date for the election," President Raimundo Pereira said on 8 June. Analysts and a former prime minister have warned, however, that the cycle of violence underscored the need for radical military reform to ensure a free, fair and peaceful electoral process. View Reuters article.
DDR
More light weapons are in circulation in Guinea-Bissau than in recent years, according to the government’s National Committee against the proliferation of light weapons and small arms, established in 2006. Armed robberies, murders and theft of livestock have recently increased, the Committee’s permanent secretary, André Nhanca, said. According to Anotnio Mazzitelli, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in West Africa, weapons have “leaked from the military to civilians,” complicating efforts to quell regional instability and strengthen good governance. View IRIN News article.
In related efforts, the government has been pursuing a program to demobilize 2500 members of the national security forces as part of its security sector reform framework (IRIN News). The PBC, ECOWAS and international donors have been supporting the SSR initiative, announced at an April 2009 ECOWAS-led roundtable in Cape Verde. View IRIN News article.
Sierra Leone
Security
The recent political violence in Sierra Leone highlights the need for the international community's continued support for the country’s recovery and peacebuilding efforts, the Secretary-General said in a new report. Ban Ki-moon wrote that President Ernest Bai Koroma and the top leaders of both the governing and main opposition parties were able to prevent a new round of conflict after clashes broke out between political party partisans, underlining the "fragile nature of the nascent democratic process in the country". Some observers point out that a combination of partisan politics and ethnic division may be a risk in the next elections scheduled for 2012. View UN News article.
Central African Republic
MINURCAT
The $768.19 million proposed budget for the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT) for 2009-10 represented an increase of 74.3%, compared to the 2008-09 period, due to the projected phased deployment of nearly 5,200 military contingent personnel. The most recent extension of the mandate of MINURCAT was authorized by the Security Council in its resolution 1861 (2009), by which the Council, among others, authorized the deployment of its military component to follow up the European Union-led force (EUFOR) in both Chad and the Central African Republic at the end of its mandate. The transfer of authority between EUFOR and the military component of MINURCAT took place on 15 March 2009. View UN News article.
Elections
The former head of state of the Central African Republic, CAR, Ange-Felix Patasse, announced on 15 June that he intended to take part in the presidential elections scheduled for April 2010. Analysts, however, have warned that such a move ran the risk of tipping the fragile country into another crisis. View AllAfrica.com article.
Guinea-Bissau holds presidential elections following recent political killings of the head of state, chief of staff and other high-profile politicians. So far, no violence reported. Also on the agenda, new SRSG appointed to head the peacebuilding office in CAR; Tanzania extends repatriation deadline for Burndian refugees; new documentary of child soldiers in Sierra Leone; and more.
Guinea-Bissau
Elections
Tensions were high in Guinea-Bissau as the presidential election was held on 28 June, following the recent assassinations of the incumbent and other high-profile political figures. Although no incidents of violence were reported thus far, the election was marked by one of the lowest turnouts ever, the National Electoral Commission spokesperson said on 29 June. The turnout was "very weak" compared to the legislative elections held in November of last year. The three leading contenders of the eleven candidates are all former presidents. Read the full AFP article via Google News.
Meanwhile, EU electoral observers posted at 80 of the 2700 polling stations around the country said the electoral process was "well organized, peaceful, free and transparent," and that they had received no reports of irregularities or major incidents as of 1 July. Read the full Afrika.com article and the AFP article via Google News.
International Crisis Group has issued a new report, "Guinea-Bissau: Beyond the Rule of the Gun," containing an analysis of the March and June political killings as well as recommendations on restoring political stability, establishing rule of law and improving security sector reform. Read the full ICG report.
UN News
The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on 26 June, extending the mandate of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in Guinea-Bissau (UNOGBIS) for another six months. The Council also requested the Secretary-General to establish an integrated peacebuilding office in the country, to be called UNIOGBIS, which is scheduled to begin its operations on 1 Jan 2010. UNIOGBIS will be responsible for helping strengthen the capacity of national institutions, establish rule of law and mobilize international support. Read the full UN News article.
Central African Republic
UN News
The newly appointed Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Peacebuilding Support Office in CAR (BONUCA), Sahle-Work Zewde, arrived in Bangui on 30 June, a UN source said. The Ethiopian envoy brings "years of experience in conflict prevention and peace initiatives by the African Union," and was concerned with the peace process in CAR, the source said. Read the full AFP article via Google News.
SRSG Victor Angelo, heading the UN Peacekeeping Mission in Chad and CAR (MINURCAT), has visited the northern CAR town of Birao, the latest site of deadly clashes between armed rebels and government forces earlier in June. The SRSG met with community leaders and explored ways to shore up security in the area. In June, most inhabitants had been driven out of Birao, already hosting refugees from Darfur and some 3000 IDPs. Read the full UN News article.
Bretton Woods Institutions
The International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and other foreign creditors granted debt relief to CAR on 30 June, under the global HIPC Initiative. The debt relief for CAR amounts to some $800 million and is expected to reduce its payments on debt owed to the IMF and World Bank by about $184 million. CAR had made sufficient progress and undertaken the necessary reforms to reach the completion point, the international financial institutions said. It marked an important milestone for a country emerging from conflict, the IMF mission chief Martin Petri added. Read the full Reuters article.
Sierra Leone
Children and Armed Conflict
The British Red Cross Society has released a video documenting the stories of children affected by armed conflict in Sierra Leone, including child soldiers and other children who witnessed atrocities during the civil war. View the video via AlertNet.
Justice
The Cabinet in Rwanda has approved a draft law that would see the country hosting Sierra Leoneans convicts from the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone while they served their sentences. According to the agreement, Rwanda will receive eight convicts. If convicted, former Liberian Head of State Charles Taylor, whose trial is ongoing at The Hague, would serve his sentence in the United Kingdom. Read the full New Times article via AllAfrica.com.
Burundi
Refugees
The government of Tanzania has extended the deadline for the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees. Welcoming the decision, UNHCR said some 36,000 refugees had been scheduled to leave the Mtabila refugee camp in Kasulu district, the last to close in northwestern Tanzania, by 30 June. UNHCR spokesman William Spindler said the grace period would allow the refugees more time to plan their return during the traditional high season for repatriation, which runs until the end of September. Read the full VOA News article.
Top of the agenda: PBC Chairs will participate in the Security Council debate on the first report of the Secretary-General on "Peacebuilding in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict". 200 child soldiers released by rebels in CAR; fresh fears of violence in the second round of presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau; Charles Taylor refutes allegations as "lies"; and more.
Announcements
The Chairs of the Guinea-Bissau and Central African Republic Configurations are expected to deliver statements at the upcoming open debate of the Security Council on the Report of the Secretary-General on Peacebuilding in the immediate aftermath of conflict, slated for 22 July. For more on the 13 July PBC discussion of the SG Report, view our full PBCUpdate.
The magnitude of the global economic crisis and its impact on the least developed countries (LDCs) require new policy approaches to ensure their economies can diversify, a new report from the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says. All of the PBC countries are among the 41 designated LDCs. Read the full BBC News article.
Burundi
Elections Ahead of the 2010 elections, the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) supported a workshop in Bujumbura, seeking ways to increase women’s participation in both the electoral process and policymaking in government and parliament. Read the full UNIFEM press release.
Bretton Woods Institutions The World Bank has approved a $70 million grant to Burundi to help improve its infrastructure and health services for the period 2009-11, the Burundian Ministry of Finance said in a statement released 8 July. The first grant of $45 million would go towards the construction of roads, schools and clean water supplies in rural areas. Read the full Reuters article via SABC News.
The IMF has also approved a loan of $10.2 million, intended to strengthen its import cover, the central bank governor announced on 16 July. The assistance aims to promote higher levels of foreign direct investment and increase reserves stock for import operations over a period of four to six months. Read the full Reuters article via London South East.
Sierra Leone
Transitional Justice
The trial of former Liberian Presdient Cahrles Taylor was critical for the fragile peace and stability of West Africa, the President of the Special Court for Sierra Leone told the Security Council on 16 July. At the meeting on the situation in Sierra Leone, Judge Renate Winter said the Special Court was now hearing the defense, which began last week. Read the full Security Council press release.
The displaying of human skulls at roadblocks was an effective method of encouraging people to obey soldiers’ orders, the former Liberian President Charles Taylor told judges of the Special Court for Sierra Leone on 16 July, at his trial at The Hague. “Skulls were used as symbols of death,” he said. He has dismissed the prosecution’s allegations that the rebels he backed in Sierra Leone used rape and systematic amputations as “Lies, lies and more lies.” Read the full Times (London) article.
Central African Republic
Children and Armed Conflict UNICEF welcomed on 8 July the release of almost 200 child soldiers by a major rebel group in the country, the People’s Army for the Restoration of Democracy (APRD). The movement has released 166 boys and 16 girls since April, and nearly all of the children associated with the group have since returned to their families. Read the full UN News article and UNICEF statement.
Guinea-Bissau
Elections
Following the 28 June presidential elections, relief over the peaceful vote quickly turned to new fears of a potentially de-stabilizing run-off between the two leading candidates. Malam Bacia Sanha, candidate for the ruling PAIGC party, who won the first round, will be pitted against the second-placed Kumba Yala, a former President who enjoys widespread support from the military, on 26 July in a second round of voting which analysts say carries the threat of contested results. Read the full Reuters article.
GoGB News
Guinea-Bissau has refuted allegations that it amassed troops on its border on 13 July after neighboring country Guinea put its army on high alert. Guinea’s military leaders had said drug traffickers and allies in neighboring countries were planning an attack to destabilize the bauxite-rich country, the Washington Post reported. Zamora Induta, the head of Guinea-Bissau’s armed forces, told AFP that they had no troops on the border with Guinea. Read the full Washington Post article and Agence-France Presse (AFP) article via Radio France Internationale.
The head of the UN peacekeeping mission MINURCAT briefed the Security Council on the troubled northeast region of CAR, just as the ASG for Humanitarian Affairs wrapped up his five-day visit to the country following the recent deadly clashes. Guinea-Bissau holds peaceful elections; Special Court in Sierra Leone may face funding shortfalls; new report on reintegration of FNL rebels in Burundi; and more.
Announcements
IRIN Films has launched a new series of short films on conflict and displacement, “Forced to Flee.” View films on IRIN.
The Security Council will hold open debates on 5 August 2009, on “United Nations peacekeeping operations” and on 7 August 2009 on “Women and peace and security.” See our Events Calendar for further information.
Central African Republic
Security Situation
The security situation in the northeast of the country remained precarious following recent attacks by armed rebels and bandits against civilians, Victor da Silva Angelo, head of the UN peacekeeping mission to the CAR and Chad (MINURCAT), told the Security Council on 28 July. As a result, aid operations were suffering, and “the gravity of the situation” in the Vakaga region “goes beyond our capacity to respond to all the security needs,” he told Council members. At least 27 people were killed in clashes in Birao last month. Almost 4000 others were forced to flee their homes, and many have not yet returned, Mr. Angelo said. Read the full UN News article and the UN press release (SC/9718).
UN News Wrapping up a five-day visit to CAR, the Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs told a news conference in Bangui on 30 July that the situation in the country remained highly volatile. IDPs wwere also still traumatized by the recent violence, depiste a general improvement in some areas, said Catherine Bragg, who also serves as the UN’s Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. Ms. Bragg told reporters she voiced her greatest concerns related to the protection of civilians and respect for human rights in discussions with national authorities and their partners. She also urged officials to guarantee unhindered access for humanitarian workers. In addition to holding discussions with national and local authorities, including Prime Minister Faustin-Arcahnge Touadera, Ms. Bragg also met with IDPs, aid workers and members of MINURCAT during her trip. Read the full UN News article.
One of the first stops Ms. Bragg made was in Birao, the site of recent inter-ethnic violence. “I start my visit here in compassion and solidarity with people of this town who have suffered from the effects of recent ethnically motivated violence and to see for myself the scope of the humanitarian situation,” she said, according to a press release issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Read the full UN News article.
Guinea-Bissau
Elections
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended the government, security forces, election officials and political parties of Guinea-Bissau for having held a peaceful second round of presidential elections on 26 July. The country’s Supreme Court has announced that Malam Bacai Sanhá of the governing African Party for the Independence of Guinea triumphed over Kumba Ialá of the opposition Social Renewal Party, both candidates former heads of state. The UN would work closely with Mr. Sanhá’s new government in efforts to consolidate peace and promote socioeconomic development, the Secretary-General said. Read the full UN News article and the UN press release (SG/SM/12393-AFR/1876).
EU electoral observers said the vote was transparent, inclusive and well-administered, with a voter turnout of over 60 percent. The challenge for the new president would be reigning in the military and ensuring respect for civilian leadership, regional diplomats say. "These elections are very important for Guinea-Bissau because they will enable the consolidation of democracy and credibility ... and enable stability and development," Desejado Lima da Costa, president of the electoral commission, told a news conference. Read the full VOA article and the Reuters Africa article.
Security Sector Reform The European Union mission assisting security sector reform (SSR) in Guinea-Bissau will be ending its duty on 30 November, the Commander in Chief, General Esteban Verstegui announced on 16 July. Read the full Pana article via Afrique en ligne.
Gender Legislative and policy efforts of Guinea-Bissau to erase gender discrimination and promote women’s empowerment were recognized by the UN’s Experts of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at a meeting held 3 August. The first periodic report on compliance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) acknowledged the creation of a number of national action plans, including draft laws that seek to end gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and trafficking in women and children, to be considered by the National Assembly during its next session. However, experts voiced their concern over the slow pace of the government in removing discriminatory laws as well as traditional biases that persist in many areas. Read the full UN press release (WOM/1749).
Burundi
Peace Process
A new International Crisis Group (ICG) report, “To Integrate the FNL Successfully,” reviews the progress made in the implementation of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement and analyzes the challenges ahead for the government of Burundi and the FNL, as well as the newly established Partnership for Peace for Burundi (PPB), tasked with monitoring the final phases of the peace process. Read the full ICG report.
Regional News
Some 30 officers of the new Burundi National Police (PNB) will soon be joining members of the National Defense Force (FDN) already active in peacekeeping operations in four African countries, according to officials in Bujumbura. Following a two-week special training session with the assistance of Canadian experts, the members of the PNB would be dispatched to UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan, Cote d’Ivoire, Chad and Somalia. Read the full Pana article via Afrique en ligne (in French).
Sierra Leone
Gender Dimension
In spite of the Gender Act passed in 2007 aimed at reinforcing women’s rights and ending gender-based violence, the government and social services have struggled to implement the laws and violence or sexual abuse against women remain high, according to officials. Fatu Kargbo, a director from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWBCA), said up to 67 percent of urban Sierra Leonean women were victims of domestic violence. Isha Bangura, director of the police Family Support Unit (FSU) said gender-based violence remained rampant in part due to the lack of state capacity, or the common practice of families to dissuade victims from reporting the crimes or to urge them to turn to “traditional justice.” Read the full IRIN report.
Justice
The Special Court for Sierra Leone, which is currently trying Charles Taylor at The Hague, may face funding shortfalls by the first week of August, the president of the Court told the Security Council on 15 July. Renate Winter briefed Council Members that the work of the Court could be jeopardized, with “disastrous consequences for the [Security] Council’s extensive peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone and Liberia” and risked sending the wrong message to the international community on the commitment to international justice and the fight against impunity. Read the full VOA article.
At the top of the agenda today are fresh reports of ethnic violence in the restive northeast region of CAR, and continuing activities of the Ugandan rebl group in the southeast. The UN has sounded an alarm over the "overwhelming" needs of the country. In other news, Human Rights Watch urges Burundi to investigate war crimes; Guinea-Bissau investigations of political assassinations beset by death threats; and more.
Central African Republic
Peace process
The government of CAR has set a three-year timetable to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate former combatants, the Communications Minister Cyriaque Gonda announced on 17 August. During that period, demobilized rebels would be placed in training centers or schools, Gonda said. The first phase of disarmament, which began on 13 August and would last another month, is underway in 14 administrative districts, including the Nana Gribizi and Ouham-Pende regions in the northwest, Ouham in the north, Haute Kotto in the east and Vakaga in the northeast. Read the full News24 article.
Humanitarian situation
The resurgence in ethnic violence in the northeast of the country and continuing LRA activity in the southeast have left thousands of IDPs without food, protection nor shelter, the UN reported. The humanitarian needs in CAR are “overwhelming,” said Nick Imboden, information management officer in the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in CAR. He added that elections in 2010 could increase tension. The Humanitarian and Development Partnership Team (HDPT) in CAR said social turmoil in the south would “put a definite end to the country’s fragile progress since the democratic elections in 2005.” Read the full IRIN News article.
Children
Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has opened a new malnutrition treatment project in Carnot, in the southwest of CAR. Some 390 severely malnourished children were admitted to the program, launched on 23 July. In response to widespread malnutrition, Action Against Hunger has also opened nutrition projects in the region. Read the full MSF press release.
The UN has also expressed alarm over acute malnutrition levels in some parts of the country. UNICEF said on 12 August that many of the 700,000 children under five in the conflict-affected north and more stable south were “moving toward the outer edge of survival.” Read the full IRIN News article.
Justice
The ICC has granted the application by former DRC warlord Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo for a conditional release, pending his trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in CAR between October 2002 and March 2003. The Court called on six countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy and Portugal to consider his interim release onto their territory. South Africa has so far turned down the request. Read the full Sunday Independent article via The Independent Online.
Burundi
Elections
The EU has recently issued a report condemning the “authoritarian” tendencies of the ruling CNDD-FDD party. According to news sources that obtained copies of the confidential report, preparations for general elections were contributing to a tense climate and an increased risk of violence between political factions. This tendency was particularly strong within the CNDD-FDD, the report said, emphasizing the need to monitor the risk of post-electoral violence. In a communiqué, the EU Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Roeland Van de Geer of the Netherlands, confirmed the findings of the report, developed by the Secretary-General of the EU Council and the European Commission. Read the full RTBF Info article via Burundi Réalité (French only).
Fight against impunity
Human Rights Watch has urged the government of Burundi to hold accountable those on all sides responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity during and prior to the country’s 16-year armed conflict. The 13 August press release came on the fifth anniversary of the massacre at the Gatumba refugee camp, where more than 150 Congolese refugees were killed by the FNL. Noting that the armed conflict had been characterized by “widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law by all warring factions, including murder, rape and torture,” the human rights group called on the government to speed up the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission and a special tribunal to prosecute those crimes. Read the full HRW press release.
Guinea-Bissau
Political context
Guinea-Bissau’s attorney general, heading ongoing investigations of the double assassination of the president and army chief earlier this year, revealed that he had been receiving death threats. Luis Manuel Cabral is also investigating what the army claimed was an attempted coup on 5 June. Two politicians, including a presidential candidate, were killed by troops after being accused by the army of planning a coup. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via Google News.
Sierra Leone
Political context
Mohamed Bangura, chairman of the opposition Peoples Movement for Democratic Change, PMDC, has resigned his position as national coordinator of the Attitudinal and Behavioral Change campaign in the office of the President. Observers speculated that his resignation on 14 August reflected his decision to challenge the ruling All People’s Congress on governance issues ahead of 2012 elections. Read the full Concord Times article via AllAfrica.com.
Children
The outgoing country representative of UNICEF Geert Cappeleare told reporters in Freetown that Sierra Leone still faced many challenges, especially in the area of children. He added that much progress had been made in the human development sector, and urged the government to continue to work with partners to implement the Child Rights Act, which seeks to ensure the rights and protection of children in the country. At the same time, many observers were troubled by the UN official’s positive remarks on human development, given that Sierra Leone ranked last in the UN Human Development Index, according to national newspapers. Read the full Awareness Times article.
Ex-combatants in Burundi see hope for new livelihoods by joining an ethnic Hutu militia in DRC, the target of a joint Congo-Rwanda offensive that has incensed human rights watchdogs in recent months. In other news, Guinea-Bissau's new administration urged to "step forward" on security sector reform; severe malnutrition among children growing dire in CAR; and more.
Guinea-Bissau
Security sector reform
Analysts say there has been little sign of progress in the country since the peaceful holding of presidential elections a month ago due to the lack of SSR. The UN has urged the country to seize the chance to “step forward” with the new administration under President Malam Bacai Sanha, but human rights groups and residents say he is failing to address the absence of rule of law that has turned the country into a hub for narcotics traffickers, who often collude with members of the army, Reuters reported. Read the full Reuters analysis.
Burundi
Security situation
The New York Times reports many former combatants in Burundi, unable to reintegrate into civilian life, are turning to neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for new livelihoods by joining the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an ethnic Hutu militia that has been the target of the joint Congo-Rwanda military offensive in the DRC. Read the full New York Times article.
Meanwhile, the Burundian army announced 24 August that ten FDLR rebels had entered the country from the DRC, although they did not pose a threat to peace. According to army spokesman Gen Lazare Nduwayo, the army had last week received information about incursions into Burundi by FDLR rebels, “escaping from the military pressure resulting from the raids by the Congolese army and blue helmets” in DRC. The FDLR has denied the report. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via Google News and the related Burundi Réalite article (in French).
Sierra Leone
GoSL News
During a recent state visit to Brazil, President Ernest Bai Koroma met with the host country’s President Lula da Silva and concluded a bilateral agreement that would guide future relations, including the establishment of diplomatic missions in both countries. “In the Peacebuilding Commission, we are struggling to strengthen the institutional capacity of Sierra Leone,” added the president of Brazil, which currently presides over the PBC Guinea-Bissau Configuration. Read the full Cocoriko article.
Central African Republic
Humanitarian situation
A newly discovered group of displaced civilians in the remote north of the country needs urgent aid, UNHCR said 21 August. UNHCR staff, who were part of an inter-agency mission to Kabo and surrounding villages last week, said the IDPs were living in “appalling conditions.” “These internally displaced people, who are mainly ethnic Ngamas from Kabo, said they were forced to leave their homes, fleeing attacks by various armed groups since last November and again in April this year,” the spokesperson Adrej Mahecic said. Read the full UN News article and VOA News article.
The Humanitarian and Development Partnership in CAR (HDPT CAR) has reported over 1200 refugees from DRC and some 2700 IDPs in the northeast of CAR, who had been forced to flee a resurgence of attacks by fighters of the LRA in the region. A joint mission of UN agencies and international NGOs based in Bangui left on 19 August for Obo. Read the full HDPT brief.
A national survey carried out by Action Contre la Faim (ACF / Action Against Hunger) in July in Berbérati, a city west of the capital Bangui, has revealed that 7% of the children screened suffered severe acute malnutrition. 50% of the national population eats only once a day, manioc almost exclusively making up the diet. Most international donors were not prioritizing Central Africa while the nutritional situation had “suddenly deteriorated” in the entire southwest of the country, ACF said, calling for immediate additional funding. Read the full ACF press release via Reliefweb.
The latest report of the Secretary-General seeks a more flexible PBF. The UN refugee agency discovers 2000 IDPs living in "appalling conditions" in isolated Kabo, CAR; Burundi under international pressure to make rapid progress on electoral code; Guinea-Bissau makes the agenda at African Union Summit; and more.
Announcements
The new Report of the Secretary-General on the Peacebuilding Fund (A/64/217-S/2009/419) is now available. The report covers activities of the Fund from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009 as well as recent evaluations of management and operational challenges, which are in part to be addressed through the revision of the PBF Terms of Reference (TOR). The GA discussed the TOR on 16 June and subsequently endorsed the revision. Read our PBCUpdate on the Terms of Reference to learn more.
The UN’s Yearbook for 2006, issued on 26 August, highlighted the organization’s efforts to “deliver as one” in delivering a response to various challenges. The PBC was also featured in the Yearbook, entitled “Delivering as One: A Unified Response to Global Challenge.” Read the full UN News article.
Central African Republic
Security situation
Ugandan troops have joined soldiers of the CAR to fight back the LRA, which news reports said crossed into CAR from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The new raids by the LRA in the southeast have left CAR further incapacitated than before to address instability caused by interethnic violence in the northeast, reports said. LRA attacks have also displaced thousands of civilians, resulting in increased food insecurity, according to Aminata Gaye, the UNHCR representative in Bangui. Read the full VOA News article.
Humanitarian situation
The report comes after a recent discovery by UNHCR of some 2000 IDPs living in “appalling conditions” about 400km north of the capital. Isolated near Kabo for months since attacks on their homes by armed groups beginning last November and in April this year, the families were in urgent need of basic security and clean drinking water, the UN refugee agency said. Read the full UNHCR article.
IRIN reports on communities in surrounding areas of Birao in the northeast that continue to experience security fears and require more food aid since the resurgence in violence in early June. WFP has struggled to address the new food aid shortfall since the June attacks by raiders targeting both the military camp in Birao and nearby villages. Read the full IRIN News article.
Peace process
The government has sent a mission to the north of the country to raise the public’s awareness regarding disarmament. The delegation, led by Cyriaque Gonda, Minister of Communication, and Jean-Jacques Demafouth, chief of the former rebel movement populaire pour la restauration de la démocratie (APRD), seeks to promote peace and reconciliation as it visits various cantonment sites where former combatants are assembled as well as surrounding villages. Read the full Missionary International Service News Agency article via ReliefWeb (in French).
GoCAR News
Former President Ange-Félix Patassé said 27 August that he will return from his Togo exile to the CAR. He said he was “potentially a candidate in the presidential election of 2010 because there is a large groundswell of opinion in [CAR] which is asking me to present myself.” The former president, overthrown in 2003 by the François Bozizé who has since been elected head of state, maintained that he was still the “legal and legitimate president” of the Movement for the Liberation of the Centrafrican People (MPLC) party he founded in 1962. Read the full France24 article and the Agence France-Presse article.
Burundi
Elections 2010
A delegation led by Home Affairs Minister Edouard Nduwimana recently participated in a Dialogue Exchange Programme, where a team of 30 representatives from Sierra Leone shared electoral best practices and insight into the work of the PBC, with a view to promote fair and peaceful elections in Burundi in 2010. The exchange resulted in a set of recommendations, which included the establishment of an effective and independent electoral commission, an independent and impartial judiciary and a proactive society, among other things. In a statement, the UN Deputy Representative of the Secretary-General in Sierra Leone said the PBC was committed to replicating the success of Sierra Leone in Burundi's 2010 elections. Read the full Newstime article.
Several members of the international community have urged the chiefs of the five major political parties to swiftly reengage with other stakeholders and smooth over disagreements over the new electoral code ahead of presidential elections next year. Recent weeks have seen intense debates over the electoral code which minority parties say unfairly favors the President Pierre Nkurunziza and his ruling CNDD-FDD party. Read the full Missionary International Service News Agency article via ReliefWeb (in French).
Peace process
The FNL issued a press release on 25 August condemning the “massive imprisonments” of more than twenty of its members, arrested since July in Kirundo and Kayanza provinces, the UN mission in Burundi (BINUB) reported. In the communiqué the FNL spokesman said some ten other FNL members had fled, feeling threatened by the CNDD-FDD. Read the BINUB article and the full communiqué (in French).
Sierra Leone
Women
The Deputy Regional Director of UNIFEM has said Sierra Leone was a leading country in promoting gender equality in Africa. Mr. Maxime Houinato told journalists on 25 August that UNIFEM was “happy” to support the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs “since it has improved on the gender policies in the country. We are happy with the political will of this country.” He also unveiled a new program to support the network of HIV-positive women and to highlight the contributions and priorities of women affected by HIV/AIDS. Read the full Concord Times article via AllAfrica.com.
Regional news
The joint ECOWAS-China Initiative team led by ECOWAS Director of Transport and Telecommunications David Kamara briefed President Ernest Bai Koroma on 24 August in Freetown on the initiative’s developmental programs for the country. The team held discussions with the president to explore possible areas of cooperation and development in agriculture and infrastructure. Read the full Cocoriko article.
Guinea-Bissau
AU Summit Guinea-Bissau will be among the countries to be addressed by the AU extraordinary summit on conflicts, which opened on 31 August. Heads of state and governments will tackle security sector reform, social recovery and economic revitalization in Guinea-Bissau, as part of a larger discussion on post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization efforts, with a particular focus on the roles played by member states and relevant regional mechanisms. Read the full Pana article via Afriquejet.com.
Development
The EU and the West African Development Bank (WADB) has announced new funding in support of construction and restoration of roads in Bissau and surrounding areas, the director-general for roads and bridges Luis Miguel da Silva Malu of Guinea-Bissau said 26 August. Read the full Macauhub article.
GoGB News
Speaking in an interview, the Bissau-Guinean ambassador to the Gambia, Maria Jauad Ribeiro has said there was a high sense of commitment among authorities of the new administration to restore peace and stability in the country. She added that Kumba Yala, the run-off presidential election opponent, has also promised to work with President-Elect Sanyang. Ms. Ribeiro said the focus will be on restructuring the military and mobilizing the people of Guinea-Bissau to support the development efforts of the new administration. Read the full Daily Observer article via AllAfrica.com.
At the top of the agenda, the new President is inaugurated in Guinea-Bissau, six months since the double assassination of the head of state and chief of staff. LRA rebels cross into restive region of CAR; SG appoints acting prosecutor for the Special Court for Sierra Leone pending arrival of a successor to Stephen Rapp, now UN Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes; ERSG arrives in Burundi; and more.
Guinea-Bissau
GoGB News
Malam Bacai Sanha was sworn in on 8 September as the new president of Guinea-Bissau, six months after his predecessor Nino Vieira was assassinated. Elected on 29 July, Mr. Sanha took the oath of office during a ceremony attended by five African heads of state. In his inauguration speech, Mr. Sanha vowed to do everything to "shed light" on the March double assassination, which he "vehemently" condemned along with the murders of other politicians in recent months. He also pledged to lead a "battle without rest" against corruption, organized crime and drugs trafficking. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via Google News.
On the occasion of the inauguration of Mr. Sanha, the UN pledged its support of peace and development in the country. “The Secretary-General reiterates the support of the United Nations for the consolidation of peace and the promotion of socio-economic development in the country,” a statement read by the spokesperson of the Office of the SG said. “He is confident that, with the support of international partners, the people and leaders of Guinea-Bissau will continue their efforts to strengthen democracy and foster respect for the rule of law.” Read the full UN News article and the statement of the Secretary-General.
Sierra Leone
Justice
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a Sierra Leonean as acting prosecutor of the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone. Senior Sierra Leonean lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara assumed his post on 8 September, pending the appointment of a successor to Stephen Rapp, who resigned earlier this month to become UN Ambassador-at-large for War Crimes. This is the first time a Sierra Leonean national is serving as acting prosecutor of the Court, mandated to try those who bear the greatest responsibility for serious violations of international humanitarian law and national law committed in Sierra Leone during its civil war. Read the full UN News article.
Peace process
The Secretary-General called on 4 September for greater efforts to foster the peace process in Sierra Leone, stressing the need for increased efforts by all sides to ensure that the momentum in advancing the peace pact was sustained, in particular through continued support from the international community. In his latest report on the United Nations Integrated Peace Building Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL), which works closely with the PBC, Ban also called for efforts to address political intolerance and violence before the 2012 elections. High youth unemployment and drug trafficking continue to hinder the peace process, the report said. Read the full Xinhua News article via The Daily Nation.
An analysis in the Standard Times offers optimism for President Koroma’s “Agenda for Change.” The atmosphere is shifting from “the historicity of horror, plunder and hopelessness to one of sanity, strength and determination,” Michael Massaquoi writes from London, but cautions that continued attention to the delivery of public services and the peaceful conduct of elections in 2012 are required to sustain this momentum. Read the full Standard Times editorial.
Security situation
The recent spate of armed robbery attacks around the country poses an “alarming” security threat to the country’s hard-won peace, the chairman of the Coalition of Civil Society has said. Speaking to reporters in Freetown, Mr. Festus Minah said the police often named the lack of sufficient personnel to ensure security. Civil society organizations have begun to conduct sensitization activities in various parts of the country to combat armed attacks, he added. Read the full Awareness Times article.
Central African Republic
Security situation
Ugandan troops have crossed into the neighbouring Central African Republic (CAR) in pursuit of Lord's Resistance Army rebels with Bangui's blessing, the Ugandan defense spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Felix Kulayigye said on 8 September. "This is not a secret -- our forces have been there," he said. He is the first government official to confirm publicly that Uganda has extended its pursuit of LRA rebels into CAR. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via ReliefWeb.
Elections
A coalition of opposition parties in the Central African Republic said it has decided to boycott the country's electoral commission as it considers the body's independence is not guaranteed. "Expressing our firm determination to participate in the 2010 elections in transparency, we are suspending our participation in the Independent Electoral Commission," the Democratic Opposition Common Front (FCOD) said in a statement. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via Google News.
Burundi
UN News
The ERSG for Burundi Youssef Mahmoud arrived in Ngozi in the northwest Burundi on 4 September, accompanied by Mr. Jean Luc Marx, representative of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and chief of the Human Rights Division in BINUB. The ERSG and the UNHCHR representative presided over a meeting of the Regional Office of BINUB to exchange views and information with the rest of the Office, which has been extended to personnel of other UN agencies operating in the region. Read the full BINUB press release (in French).
Burundian refugees in Tanzania under pressure to repatriate; Bujumbura passes new electoral code after weeks of stalling; Ugandan troops report capture and killing of senior rebel commanders in troubled northeastern region of CAR; and more. In the US, Obama announces new additions with peacebuilding expertise to the US Permanent Mission.
Announcements
President Obama has announced two new additions to the Permanent Mission of the United States to the UN. Frederick Barton, currently the Co-Director of the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project at CSIS, was appointed the US Ambassador to ECOSOC. The PBC will fall under his purview. Jide Zeitlin will serve as the US Ambassador on UN Management and Reform. View the White House press release.
The Deputy President of the Internatonal Crisis Group gave a presentation on peacebuilding to the UN Senior Mission Leaders Program on 17 July 2009. His statement on "Development, Security and Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities for International Engagement in Fragile States" is now available on the ICG Website.
Burundi
Refugees
The Centre for the Study of Forced Migration and the International Refugee Rights Initiative (IRRI) have launched a new report outlining concerns over some 30,000 Burundian refugees in Tanzania under pressure to repatriate. With two weeks left before the last refugee camp is set to close, “ ‘I Don’t Know Where to Go’: Burundian Refugees in Tanzania Under Pressure to Leave” calls for a review of the timing of repatriation and consideration of possible alternatives. Read the IRRI press release and the full report.
UNHCR reported on 15 September that the repatriation of Burundian refugees who fled ethnic violence in 1972 has reached the 50,000 mark. Many of them, however, face problems reclaiming their land upon their return. Read the full UNHCR press release.
Elections 2010
Burundi legislators have finally passed a new electoral code, the subject of furious debate over the recent weeks. The new law, passed on 11 September, sets provisions for voters to elect county leaders, the President, MPs, senators and local representatives in next year’s nationwide elections, the second since the end of the conflict in 2005. Lawmakers had been under pressure from the international community, which would fund 80% of the polls budget. Read the full Agence France-Presse article via Google News.
UN News
The Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) for another year. Read our full PBCUpdate on the meeting.
Development agenda
Representatives of the Government of Sierra Leone, African Development Bank, World Bank and the International Finance Corporation met on 11 September in Freetown for a one-day consultation meeting, where the “Agenda for Change” was endorsed as a national framework to further efforts in achieving the goals set out in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP). Also participating were representatives of civil society, the private sector, local government and academic institutions. Read the full News Time Africa article.
Health
The Secretary-General of Amnesty International is set to lead a high-level mission to Sierra Leone, 18-25 September, to launch a campaign to reduce the maternal death rate in the country, one of the highest in the world. Read full Amnesty International press release via AllAfrica.com.
Guinea-Bissau
GoGB News
The announcement by the newly elected President Malam Bacai Sanha to investigate the double assassination of the former head of state and chief of staff was welcomed by Bissau-Guineans and the UN spokesman in the country, Vladimir Ronteiro. Investigations were “part of the process of political stabilization because if no inquiry is made for sure the process of dialogue will be difficult," Mr. Ronteiro said. The UN, ECOWAS, AU, and the CPLP were working with national authorities to facilitate the process, he added. Read the full VOA article.
Central African Republic
Security situation
Uganda announced on 10 September the capture of a senior Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebel in CAR. Earlier this week, the CAR government had acknowledged the presence of Ugandan troops in the country with the aim of flushing out LRA rebels. However, an LRA spokeman denied reports that the senior commander Okot Atiak had been seized. Read the full BBC article.
Days after reports of Atiak’s capture, the Ugandan army claimed it had killed Arit Santos, another senior commander of the rebel group, and four others. "This is a big blow to the rebels and success to the second phase of the operation to fight these terrorists," army spokeman Felix Kulayigye said. Read the full Agence France-Presse article.
News update on the latest developments in Burundi, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and Central African Republic.
Burundi
Development Agenda
As part of the East African Community integration process, member states will discuss the formation of a monetary union. On Thursday, the Central Bank Governor of Burundi said his country is ready to make the necessary legal and macro-economic adjustments to make this initiative a reality. Read the full UGPulse.com here.
Elections 2010
The UNDP announced the creation of a $44 million fund to support peaceful presidential, parliamentary, and local elections next year in Burundi. If successful, this election will mark the end of a complete electoral cycle in this post-conflict nation. Read the full UN News article here.
Children and Armed Conflict
Ban Ki-moon commended the Burundi government for ensuring that all children involved in armed conflict have been released, but addressed the persistent culture of impunity for violators of children’s rights. He also called for a strategy to combat sexual violence, to be conceived and implemented by the national government with additional support from the UN. Read the full UN News article here.
Health
The World Emergency Relief (UK) is sending £61,000 worth of critically needed medical supplies, such as antibiotics, steroid creams, and painkillers, to be distributed to local hospitals and medical clinics to Burundi. They are a crucial source aid in a country where there is little to no access to medical care. Read the full World Emergency Relief article via Reuters Alertnet here.
Security Situation
Personnel of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) have taken control of the security affairs of Lungi and surrounding area. This decision was made after a recent riot between the police and civilians resulted in the several deaths, injuries, and loss of property. Read the full Awareness Times article here.
Agricultural Development
On Friday 18th September 2009 Sierra Leone signed the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) compact document. Its objective is regional and continental reintegration in the area of agriculture. President Koroma said that agricultural development is a top priority. To demonstrate this, the budget allocation of agriculture was increased from 1.6% to 7.7%. Read the full Awareness Times article here.
Disaster Relief
As of September 22, over 100 houses in Daru Town, Njawa chiefdom of Kailahun district, have been affected by flooding from the Moa River. Authorities estimate that the flooding left more than seven hundred and fifty people homeless, and the Sierra Leone Red Cross said they were having difficulty relocating those affected. Read the full Concord Times article via AllAfrica here.
Guinea-Bissau
UN News
On September 18, the UN PBC Special Configuration on Guinea-Bissau met to discuss the “window of opportunity” to consolidate peace in the wake of July’s successful presidential election. Security sector reform proved to be the most pressing and contentious issue of discussion, though economic development, military demobilization, and stemming drug trafficking were also primary agenda items. Read our meeting summary here or an update from the UN News here.
GoGB News
The newly elected government of President Malam Bacai Sanhá appointed several high-ranking military leaders this week. The choices are controversial because they are closely linked with former Chief of Staff Batista Tagmé Na Wai, who was assassinated in March. The army is “plagued by infighting” and accused of civilian abuse. Read the full African Press Agency article here.
Drug Trafficking
New President Malam Bacai Sanha has promised to end Guinea-Bissau's role as a global drug trafficking hub. He also pledged to tackle terrorism and organized crime. These promised are complicated by the fact that some senior military officials have been accused of links to the drugs trade. Read the full BBC News article here.
Central African Republic
UN News
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appeals to donor nations and institutions to be generous in funding the UN’s work in the Central African Republic when they meet next week in Brussels. Read the full UN News article here.
LRA Activity
Raids by the notorious Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) are becoming more frequent in the Central African Republic, and a sense of alarm is rising. The LRA is known for—among other atrocities—human mutilation, kidnapping women and children, and church-house slaughterings. There is also speculation that the LRA’s role could become one of proxy guerilla fighters for groups like the Khatoum government, Ugandans, or the south Sudan government. Read the full BBC News article here.
LRA Leader Joseph Kony contacted the Ugandan government this week, seeking immediate ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations in the midst of increased attacks. He had previously agreed to a peace deal in Juba, Sudan but repeatedly failed to sign the final agreement. Read the full Voice of America News article here.
Nutrition Crisis
On September 23, an international medical humanitarian organization declared a severe nutritional emergency in the Central African Republic Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has opened four feeding centers in the past month. They have treated more than 1,300 children, mostly suffering from severe malnutrition, in less than six weeks. Read the full Medical News Today article here.
The PBC Organizational Committee formally adopted its third annual report at its final meeting of the session, held 4 Sep 2009. In her new role as the Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) for Peacebuilding Support, Judy Cheng-Hopkins addressed the PBC for the first time and shared her thoughts on peacebuilding.
Addressing the OC, ASG Judy Cheng-Hopkins said peacebuilding was one of the key areas for the future relevans of the UN, but it had “not been dealt with as comprehensively as was possible.” Known as an “old-timer” in the UN system, she said she would bring her experience in fieldwork, operational and humanitarian work at such agencies as the UNDP, the World Food Programme and UNHCR to her new role at the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO).
Ms. Cheng-Hopkins said successful peacebuilding required three “building blocks,” cemented by national ownership. The first was the essential role of government in areas such as security, political reconciliation, and rule of law and justice; the second, the provision of basic services to restore a sense of normalcy following conflict, such as investment in health, education and basic infrastructure; and the third, the creation of livelihoods to instill a sense of hope not only in the common people but also demobilized combatants. “Peace is the ultimate public good,” she said.
She pointed out, however, that more important was the means by which such strategies were implemented. She emphasized in particular the central importance of working with operational agencies and ensuring coherence across UN actors. The PBC would play the most important part in this “new architecture,” she said, by providing an opportunity for governments to dialogue with governments, a channel of communications the UN could not always offer.
The ASG also noted the recent revision of the Terms of Reference of the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF). The PBSO could make the work of the PBC much easier, but could only be as successful as the PBC itself, she added.
Charting the way forward
OC Members formally adopted the draft report on its third session (PBC/3/OC/L.1), which contains an overview of the PBC’s activities during the period from 23 June 2008 to June 2009, including the work of the OC, the Country-Specific Configurations and the Working Group on Lessons-Learned. It also reports on the status of the PBF.
The report emphasizes the importance of strengthening coordination, coherence and partnerships with all relevant actors both within and outside of the UN, focusing in particular on international financial institutions such as the World Bank in order to enhance the PBC’s work in areas of strengthening government functions and promoting economic recovery.
The report also calls for enhancing focused and demand-driven engagement with countries on the agenda to ensure sustained attention to critical peacebuilding goals and the promotion of an integrated approach throughout the various phases of the UN's post-conflict response. To this end, the PBC has begun to explore the possibility of a “multi-tiered approach” to diverisfy its engagement with countries, the report states; advice would be provided on specific peacebuilding priorities on the basis of lessons-learned from the experience of other countries, as well as through the mobilization of civilian experts, practitioners and national stakeholders that are active in relevant peacebuilding efforts.
Improved resource mobilization as well as the development of a targeted communications strategy for increased outreach and greater visibility are among the PBC's other goals as the body looks to its five-year review in 2010.
While the report concludes that the role of the OC “needs to be reassessed” to enhance the overall strategic vision and guidance of the work of the PBC, it does not elaborate on how the Committee’s scope and methods of work would be revisited or adjusted to this end.
The formal meeting was followed by closed consultations. The adopted draft report will be submitted to the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Security remained fragile in Sierra Leone and the international community should not become complacent, the Chair of the PBC Sierra Leone Configuration cautioned Members of the Security Council at a meeting held 14 September 2009 to discuss the third Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Peacebuilding Office in that country (S/2009/438).
Executive Representative of the Secretary-General (ERSG) Michael von der Schulenburg said Sierra Leone had embarked on a “remarkable journey” towards becoming stable, peaceful and democratic by promoting the rule of law, observing democratic process and creating economic prosperity. ERSG Schulenburg, who is also the Head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL) said the success of the country's road towards stable democracy would depend on the government's ability to provide a “peace and democracy dividend” for all Sierra Leoneans.
Amb. John McNee (Canada), Chair of the PBC Sierra Leone Configuration, briefed Members on the recent Special Session on Sierra Leone, citing recent positive developments such as inclusive dialogue extended to youth groups, activities of the PBF and the creation of a commission of inquiry to investigate sexual violence committed during the conflict, among others. However, he highlighted high youth unemployment, illicit drug trafficking and weaknesses in democracy and the rule of law as potential threats to peace. Those three areas had become the core priorities of the PBC, he told Members. Referring to the global economic downturn and the current ailing financial climate, Amb. McNee underscored the importance of active support from the international community, as well as adequate funding for the Agenda for Change -- President Koroma's ambitious national framework for socioeconomic recovery and peacebuilidng -- and the United Nations Joint Visions.
The SG report under consideration covered extended UNIPSIL's mandate for a further 12 months until the end of September 2010. In the report, the SG calls for greater efforts by all Sierra Leoneans to build on the momentum from the signing of the political accord, which ended violent clashes between political partisans earlier this year. However, there was a need for increased efforts by all stakeholders, including international development partners, to allay political intolerance and violence ahead of the 2012 elections. Other challenges include the extremely high infant and maternal mortality and poverty levels and the need to conclude the long overdue constitutional reform process, the report says, outlining areas where UNIPSIL could provide technical assistance.
The PBSO has issued changes to the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), which set guidelines and establish core principles for the PBF’s activities.
Following a period of review by Member States, the TOR revision sought to enhance the PBF’s capacity to serve as a flexible, responsive and focused resource for peacebuilding support, including through rationalizing and simplifying the Fund’s structure and architecture, as well as to maximize synergy between the PBC and the PBF through provisions of enhanced consultation and dialogue.
Background
The TOR state that the Fund will support interventions of direct and immediate relevance to peacebuilding activities, and contribute towards addressing critical gaps in that process, in particular in areas for which other funding mechanisms are unavailable. PBF support is intended to have a catalytic effect in the very early stages of a peacebuilding context and help to rally other, more sustained support from development agencies and bilateral or multilateral donors.
Since its launch in 2006, the PBF has been reviewed by internal and external bodies to examine the effectiveness and efficiency of the Fund’s mechanisms and operating modalities within the UN system and at the country level. Separate reviews were undertaken by the Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) and the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). Consultations with Member States and the Fund’s Advisory Committee informed the process throughout.
Member States gathered for an informal meeting on 15 May, facilitated by Finland, to discuss the Report of the Secretary-General on the PBF, outlining proposed changes to the TOR. The revisions aimed to clarify the respective roles of key entities, including the administrative agent UNDP Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), the PBSO, the recipient agencies, and the country-level steering committees, as well as to further entrench core principles of transparency, flexibility, operational speed, accountability, national ownership, and effectiveness in the Fund’s work. The revisions also reflected a reconfiguration of the funding windows for support for countries emerging from conflict.
The PBSO representative explained that the team has been focusing on a number of key priorities for the PBF, in response to the OIOS evaluation and the five-donor review. These include staffing up the office for global capacity; increasing guidelines and training for partners in the field and at the global level; increasing field support; and improving communication to better inform interested parties on the PBF and its performance.
What Changed
The main changes to the TOR involve a broadening of the scope of the Fund to include “efforts to revitalize the economy and generate immediate peace dividends to the population at large” and a restructuring of the Fund’s three-window architecture to create two funding facilities, open to both countries on the PBC agenda (the former Window I countries) and countries declared eligible for PBF funding by the UN Secretary-General (the former Window II countries).
The two funding facilities would be an Immediate Response Facility (IRF) and a Peacebuilding and Recovery Facility (PRF). The IRF would provide emergency funding for immediate peacebuilding and recovery needs, and as such replaces the former Window III, or Emergency Window. One important difference is that approval for the IRF would entail minimal procedures, and the $1 million cap on emergency funding under the former Window III will be lifted, allowing the PBF to react more rapidly. The PBF operational guidelines would propose alternative mechanisms for guiding allocations for different peacebuilding support tasks. National authorities and the senior UN representative in the country concerned would request IRF funding, and the Secretary-General would be able to immediately allocate funds based on a case-by-case assessment.
The PRF would provide longer-term peacebuilding and recovery support. Allocations and disbursements under the PRF would follow the established, but revised, rules and procedures under former Windows I and II. They would thus be made based on a priority plan jointly developed by national authorities and the senior UN representative in the country concerned.
This new reconfiguration streamlines the way the Fund is managed, and in particular responds to the need for the PBF to more efficiently engage in immediate post-conflict situations, which the newly introduced IRF is expected to fulfill. The TOR provide the political framework for the PBF to operate; further administrative and management details are expected to be finalized over the coming months in updated funding policies and guidelines to be issued by the PBSO in cooperation with the UNDP MDTF Office, the Advisory Group, donors, and recipient UN organizations and stakeholders at the country-level.
The TOR also specify increasing representation and accountability requirements, to ensure better coordination and communication between donor states, the PBC and the PBF. Regular briefings and an annual PBF meeting would keep donors informed of PBF performance and allow stakeholders to draw lessons learned.
The Security Council discussed the Second Report of the Secretary-General on the situation in Sierra Leone, as well as the recent outbreak of political violence between sympathizers of the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) and the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
At the meeting held 8 June 2009, Council Members were briefed on the latest developments by Ms. Zainab Bangura, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Sierra Leone; Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg, Executive Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Integrated Peacebuilding Office in Sierra Leone (UNIPSIL); and Mr. John McNee, Permanent Representive of Canada and Chair of the PBC Sierra Leone Country-Specific Configuration.
The clashes in March between supporters of APC and SLPP were the first serious outbreak since the end of the civil war in 2002, ERSG Schulenburg said. Council Members agreed that the events were a stark reminder of the fragility that remained in Sierra Leone, but commended President Koroma and the opposition leader John Benjamin for moving quickly to quell the violence and signing a joint communiqué on 2 April. The communiqué enshrines the commitment of both sides to fostering a constructive relationship among political parties in developing bipartisan consensus on national institutions and policies. It outlines commitments to the strengthening of state institutions, including the police, the judiciary, the National Electoral Commission, the Political Parties Registration Commission, and the National Human Rights Council.
The Security Council acknowledged the important role played by UNIPSIL in facilitating the political dialogue following the March events. Members also stressed the need to address youth unemployment and other socioeconomic challenges, as well as cross-border issues such as drug trafficking and illicit arms trade.
There was a broad consensus among Council Members that the continued attention and support of the UN family and the international community at large were vital to ensure the effective implementation of the agreements contained in the communiqué and to further advance the process of peace consolidation in Sierra Leone. Particular attention was drawn to the forthcoming PBC High Level Special Session for Sierra Leone, to be held 10 June, which seeks to garner political support for the government’s “Agenda for Change” and the political parties’ joint communiqué, as well as to mobilize financial support for the implementation of the UN Joint Vision for Sierra Leone and launch the UN Multi-Donor Trust Fund.
See also the statement by the Chair of the PBC Sierra Leone Country-Specific Configuration welcoming the joint communiqué of 2 April 2009.
Updates:
Mr. Schulenburg, Head of UNIPSIL, responded to journalists at the noon press conference held the following day, 9 June 2009.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon commends Sierra Leone, 10 June 2009, for "rising above difference" during the outbreak of political violence, but warns of yet fragile peace. Watch on UNTV.
The Sierra Leone Configuration met today for a briefing on the recent Chair's visit to Freetown and other provinces, where he met with government officials and other national and international actors to discuss progress made and next steps for peacebuilding.
The mission, which took place 20-24 April 2009, was the first by Amb. John McNee (Canada), since he succeeded Amb. Frank Majoor (the Netherlands) in February as Chair of the country-specific configuration.
Members welcomed the Chair's draft report of the visit, which recognized progress made towards achieving peacebuilding goals, such as reform of the justice sector and good governance. Members also agreed that several challenges remained--in particular high youth unemployment, corruption, the drug trade, and political tensions which continue to present a threat to stability. The violent clashes seen in March this year were a reminder that the situation in Sierra Leone is still extremely fragile.
But seven years since the end of the civil war, Sierra Leone is indeed in a period of transition--from "post-conflict peacebuilding" to longer-term considerations of development.
In this light, a Special Session will be held on 10 June 2009 to reflect on further strategies for peace consolidation, development and donor coordination. It aims to broaden the traditional broader base to include other partners, including the private sector, to help stimulate economic growth. The Special Session would also be an opportunity for the PBC to assess its own added value, the Chair said. A concept note detailing the objectives of the session is expected to be shared shortly.
The Configuration concluded that it was important to build support for both President Koroma's "Agenda for Change," which identifies critical priorities for peace consolidation, as well as coordinated UN assistance.
The Sierra Leone Country-Specific Configuration held a formal meeting on 19 Jun to discuss the first biannual review of the progress achieved so far in the implementation of the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework. At the meeting chaired by Amb. Frank Majoor (Netherlands), CSM Member States adopted the conclusions and recommendations resulting from the review and reflected on the recent PBC delegation visit to Sierra Leone, 1-7 Jun. Suggestions were made on how the objectives of various strategic frameworks could be streamlined to effectively address remaining and emerging challenges such as youth employment, energy sector development, and the hike in global food and fuel prices. Questions were also raised as to how international commitments can be fulfilled on the ground, as the country prepares for local council elections in the fall and UNIOSIL transitions to an integrated peacebuilding office. Speakers included the Deputy Foreign Minister of Sierra Leone, Mr. Vandi C. Minah, ASG Carolyn McAskie from PBSO, as well as the newly appointed interim ERSG in Sierra Leone, Mr. Michael Schulenburg (Germany), who participated from Freetown via video link.
Mr. Minah briefed the Members on the progress made in the areas of good governance, justice and security sector reform, and preparations for the local elections. The Anti-Corruption Commission has proposed an Anti-Corruption Strategy, which has been endorsed by the cabinet. He also underscored the importance of the upcoming local council elections, the next crucial test for the security sector. In the socioeconomic arena, the Parliament has taken legislative measures with the aim to empower citizens and to create a favorable environment for private sector development. Mr. Minah added that the peacebuilding process is a novel approach that requires transparency on the part of the government and the international community. He acknowledged that the government still faces capacity constraints, and called for continued support of development partners and the PBC to assist its peacebuilding efforts.
Mr. Schulenburg also highlighted the importance of the upcoming elections and expressed optimism for the transition of UNIOSIL to a peacebuilding mission. He expressed his satisfaction with the progress achieved, especially in the consolidation of democracy, and remarked that the NEC, the Political Party Registration Commission and other national institutions are now capable of assuming leadership in implementing the elections. ASG McAskie agreed that significant progress had been achieved as a result of effective partnership between the government and the PBC.
There appeared to be a general consensus that the issues of food security, youth employment, and energy and agricultural sector development merit more attention in the future work of the PBC. Several Members underscored the importance of stepping up donor-aid coordination to streamline the objectives of existing strategic frameworks, including the Cooperation Framework and the PRSP, and exploring new multi-donor mechanisms to ensure the effective translation of commitments to concrete actions on the ground. Members agreed that continued support of the PBC and the international community was essential to the consolidation of peace and security in Sierra Leone.
Today the PBC Sierra Leone Configuration will host a High-Level Stakeholders Consultation on Sierra Leone. This unprecedented event is expected to address implementation of the Strategic Framework and bring high-level attention to progress and remaining gaps in peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone. Participation is expected from the Secretary-General, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and other senior representatives of the UN, PBC Member States and multilateral participants, Government of Sierra Leone and civil society, as well as private sector.
Goals for the high-level consultation include to:
To generate buy-in for the Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework;
To generate support for existing peacebuilding activities and identify new
initiatives and partnerships;
To increase the number and diversity of intemational partners in support of Sierra
Leone.
The full-day session at UN headquarters will include four thematic plenary sessions on youth empowerment and employment; good governance and capacity building; justice and security sector reform; energy sector development. The consultation is strategically timed to generate renewed attention to Sierra Leone in advance of upcoming meeting of the Sierra Leone Conslutative Group and in advance of the PBC’s first semi-annual review of progress in meeting Strategic Framework commitments.
Weekly round up of news from Burundi, Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone from 2 May - 9 May 2008.
Sierra Leone: SG’s report on UNIOSIL; Armed forces get humanitarian law training; Rising fuel costs
Guinea-Bissau: National Assembly Speaker heads to Beijing; World Bank approves $10 million for teacher salaries
Burundi: Human Rights Watch issues call for end to police impunity; SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict expresses concern about child recruitment by FNL; Land tenure concerns continue; Peace process in jeopardy amidst new violence between GoB and FNL and the Regional Initiative sets new deadlines
Sierra Leone
UN News
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a new report in which he states that UNIOSIL has made “significant progress” in supporting the government’s efforts for peace consolidation by supporting the security sector, promoting human rights and the rule of law, and helping prepare for the upcoming elections.
On the other hand, he also warned that political tension due to ethnic and regional differences, high unemployment, poor social conditions, high food prices and high gasoline prices are factors that are undermining the process.
In order to continue the efforts of UNIOSIL, which will withdraw in September 2008, a new UN integrated peacebuilding office will be established under the name UNIPSIL. It will “holistically address the political, economic, and peacebuilding challenges facing the country.” View Article
Security Sector Major Alfred Palo Conteh, the Sierra Leonean Minister of Defense, launched a new manual to train the country’s troops in the principles of international humanitarian law. The armed forces and the government had been working on integrating the principles of international humanitarian law into the armed forces’ practices. It is designed to be used by 28 military instructors from the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF). Present at the launching ceremony were Chief of Defense Staff, Major General Sam E. Mboma, the Commander of the International Military Training & Advisory Team, Brigadier General Jonattan J. Powe, and the ICRC head of delegation, Christoph Hartmann. View ICRC Press Release via Reliefweb
Economic Situation
The citizens of Freetown were shocked by the sudden price increase of petroleum products, which, among other things, caused the poda poda and “pole to pole” taxi fares to increase from Le900 to Le1000. The price of a gallon of petrol increased from Le14,500 to Le16,500. Serious confrontations arose in certain regions between market women and poda poda drivers because of the fare hike. The National Petroleum Marketing Manager, Mr. Sidi Bakarr assured the general public that the situation would be under constant review and the price would be adjusted according to the trends of the global market. View Awareness Times article
Guinea-Bissau
GoGB News
Mr. Francisco Benante, speaker of the National Assembly of Guinea-Bissau, is expected to visit China from 6 to 13 May. The National Committee of China’s legislature, the National People Congress (NPC) said on 2 May that Mr. Benante will be heading a parliamentary delegation to Beijing for an official goodwill visit at the invitation of the chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.
“Parliament Head of Guinea Bissau to Visit China 6-13 May,” BBC Monitoring International Reports (subscription only), Xinhua News Agency, 2 May 2008.
Development projects The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved on 30 April an International Development Association grant of $10 million to support efforts in financing the salary of primary education teachers. The grant will support the Emergency Public Service Delivery Project (EPSD) to ensure the continued delivery of essential basic education services in 2008, especially to the poor. It will also pave the way for continued support of the education sector after 2008, through the multi-donor Education for All program (EFA). Since Guinea-Bissau may still be able to make significant progress towards achieving the education MDG, notably through the Education for All – Fast Tract Initiative support which will be available in 2009, the World Bank Task Team Leader Mr. Iradj Alikhani said “that this $10 million provides essential bridge support for the EFA-FTI.” By assuring a regular payment of teachers’ salaries, the World Bank would contribute to the uninterrupted delivery of critical public services.
“The World Bank: World Bank Supports Continued Service Delivery in Guinea Bissau Education Sector,” M2 PressWIRE (subscription only), 30 April 2008.
Burundi
Human Rights Human Rights Watch issued a report on 29 April calling on the Burundian government to take “immediate steps to end the climate of impunity that facilitates illegal detention, mistreatment and torture of individuals by the police.” The 42-page report, “Every Morning They Beat Me: Police Abuses in Burundi,” documents 21 cases of beatings and torture of civilians carried out in Muramvya province in October 2007 by the Rapid Mobile Intervention Group (Groupement Mobile d’Intervention Rapide, GMIR), a special reserve unit normally based in Bujumbura.
The GMIR officers were originally dispatched to Muramvya province to stop recruitment and propaganda by FNL rebels, but established an illegal detention site and arbitrarily arrested dozens of civilians whom they tortured. They also demanded bribes from a large number of the detainees, according to Human Rights Watch. Alison Des Forges, Africa Divison senior advisor at Human Rights Watch, said that the Burundian government “seeking to build democracy and human rights cannot tolerate police abusing rather than protecting the population,” and that training must be reinforced by holding officers accountable for such actions. View Human Rights Watch’s Press Release via AllAfrica.com and read the full report
The SRSG for Children and Armed Conflict expressed concern on 6 May 2008 over the 500 children who are associated with the ranks of FNL. “The outbreak of renewed fighting by the P-FNL of Agathon Rwasa proves once again the need to quickly separate all children from fighting forces even before a final peace agreement is signed,” Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy said in a press release. 232 children have been released so far following the comprehensive ceasefire agreement in 2006, but the renewed fighting over the last few days have exacerbated the concerns over children who remain in the hands of the rebel leader. View UN News article
Assistance for Flood Victims
Heavy rains ravaged northwestern Burundi a week ago, rendering some 5,000 people without shelter or food. Mr. Jean Paul Majambere, the administrator of Mugina commune in Cibitoke province, said on 28 April that the rains had destroyed more than 1,000 houses in several locations in the commune. Mr. Zépherin Barutwanayo, the governor of Cibitoke, requested assistance from humanitarian agencies and the Ministry of National Solidarity to assist those affected by the rains, but there are currently no immediate plans to organize shelter, according to Mr. Godefroid Nyawakira, officer in charge of humanitarian affairs in the Ministry of National Solidarity, who spoke to IRIN on 30 April. He added that he has not yet been informed of the plea from the Cibitoke administration. Mr. Barutwanayo cautioned the affected Mugina residents that they were at risk of a “serious” food shortage, as hectares of yams and cassava as well as banana plantations, the main source of income for Mugina residents, were “completely wiped out.” View UN IRIN article viaAllAfrica.com
Land Tenure Burundian refugees returning from Tanzania since the civil war in 1972 are encountering difficulties in reclaiming possession of their goods and properties. Despite a Land and Goods Commission that was set up by the government to assist the repatriation process, the refugees face a problematic land law, which automatically grants property rights of land occupied for 30 years to the new occupant. Other repatriates have claimed that their cars and motorbikes have been plundered during their absence. All complaints are lodged to the Land and Goods Commission, which has so far failed to satisfy their claims, reported Hirondelle News Agency. According to Mr. Zenon Nicayenzi, an economist and former minister of defense, the current Burundian justice system lacks the capacity to resolve these problems. “Transitional justice is essential to clear up the situation and to rectify the wrongs of the past,” he said. View Hirondelle News article via AllAfrica.com
Peace Process
Heads of state from the Great Lakes region will meet next month in Tanzania to address security concerns, particularly in Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This decision was reached by President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, who chairs the Great Lakes Peace Commission, and President Kikwete, who is the deputy and also currently holds the chair of the African Union. In a lengthy one-on-one meeting at the Entebbe state house on 30 April on the security situation of the Great Lakes region and the East Africa Community, the two heads of state discussed the recent violence in Burundi where FNL rebels have engaged in open fighting with government troops in the capital.
Uganda, which assisted the Burundian peace process along with Tanzania and South Africa through half a decade of power-sharing talks between the two major stakeholders, officially supports the legality of the Nkuruzinza government. FNL leader Agathon Rwasa is seen as a spoiler to the peace process, and in the last months, has pushed fresh demands on the government, including millions of dollars for his group and an amendment of the constitution to include PALIPEHUTU-FNL in contravention of a deal arrived at earlier not to promote ethnic-based identities. According to The Monitor, Burundi will be perceived as a test case for the East African Community, as well as for the AU, in the question of how effective regional containment will be for domestic conflicts. View The Citizen (Tanzania) article via AllAfrica.com and View The Monitor (Uganda) article via AllAfrica.com
According to some observers and analysts, the recent clashes demonstrated the FNL’s determination to apply pressure on the government and to signal the international community that it would only play the game on its own terms. While there were high hopes for peace in March 2008 when the government and the FNL announced that they would resume negotiations to be completed in July, the stalemate has continued and finally erupted in renewed deadly fighting in the capital on 17 April.
Mr. Gaspard Nduwayo, a political analyst and university lecturer, said that the current socio-political context, such as the weakness of the government and the absence of a government response to the population’s demands, also helped explain the FNL’s will to continue fighting. He also suggested the FNL’s desire to force the government to give the rebels jobs in the country’s institutions, just as the current ruling party CNDD-FDD did as it transformed itself from a rebel movement into a political party. However, providing key posts to the FNL is problematic as it necessitates an amendment of the constitution. According to Southscan, a UK-based provider of African political and security analysis, Nkurunziza’s failure to follow through on an agreement to release 3,000 prisoners and to integrated FNL members into the national army also contributed to the renewed violence. The FNL has made resumption of talks conditional on immunity for its leaders, but the existing immunity legislation does not mention the group by name and covers only the period up to 2006. According to Southscan, Nkurunziza is hesitant to enter into a power-sharing deal because “his CNDD-FDD party would have to hand some of its posts to the FNL rebels.” His room for maneuver is also hindered by schisms within the party, linked to the imprisonment of former right hand Hussein Rajabu on charges of conspiring against the state.
Meanwhile, the United States expressed concern about the attacks by the Palipehutu-FLN attacks on the Burundian military positions. A State Department statement on 23 April commended the government for “its measured response” and urged the FNL to return to Bujumbura. In early May, foreign ministers of Tanzania and Uganda, meeting for the Regional Initiative on Peace in Burundi, gave Rwasa and other FNL top leaders an ultimatum to return to Burundi by 14 May. FNL spokesman Pasteur Habimana has told Reuters, however, that the group does not accept that decision, and that their return is still contingent upon amnesty. View UN IRIN article via AllAfrica.comand US State Department Statement
Returning from his visit to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Frank Majoor (Netherlands) briefed PBC members on the results of his consultations with top officials in Sierra Leone and provided updates on the priority areas, particularly in the areas of good governance and security sector reform.
Ambassador Majoor, Chair of the Sierra Leone configuration, met with President Koroma and Vice-president Sumana separately. He also met with several Ministers and Deputy Ministers, the majority and minority leaders of Parliament, UN representatives, civil society groups and private sector leaders. The visit provided the Chairman with valuable information to include in his biannual review of the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework due in June 2008.
Apart from the assessment of the ground-level conditions in the country, the goals of his visit were to assess the achievements and shortcomings in the process of PBC Framework implementation and to encourage relevant actors to participate in the upcoming High-Level Stakeholders Consultation on the Implementation of the Sierra Leone Peacebuilding Cooperation Framework, to be held 19 May 2008 in New York. Ambassador Majoor informed the PBC that his team was able to identify concrete achievements and areas of improvement in the implementation of the framework, as well as secure the attendance of several high-level officials from the Sierra Leonean government at the consultation.
Democracy and Good Governance The Chair cited the Presidential Retreat hosted by President Koroma as one of the positive developments in the framework implementation. As a result of the retreat, eight ministers signed one-year performance assessment contracts, thus promoting good governance and accountability, both important issues addressed in the framework. The contract system is being extended to many more high-level government officials.
Other reported developments included the creation of 136 constitutional amendments as part of the constitutional reform process, 15 of which will require a national referendum for approval. Another step towards a more transparent government will be the upcoming discussion in Parliament on the National Anti-corruption Strategy. The strategy will allow for the Anti-corruption Commission to prosecute suspected government officials without prior approval by the General Attorney. The Chair also reported on the three-year justice sector reform strategy and the current $4 million funding shortfall in its proposed $13 million budget.
During its 20 February – 4 March visit to assess the progress in the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy and the macroeconomic status of the country, the IMF expressed intent to send a letter to donors urging them to provide additional funds to Sierra Leone.
Security Sector Reform It was reported that the government’s strategy to reduce the size of the military from 10,500 to 8,000 soldiers, announced on 12 March, has received support from the UK and the Development Partnership Committee (DEPAC), however, the Chair commented that the process should be closely monitored during implementation. The Chair also expressed concern about drug trafficking in Sierra Leone and suggested that Interpol or the UN increase engagement with the government on this issue.
Youth Empowerment and Employment Remaining challenges in the implementation of the framework are the problems of youth unemployment and capacity building. The Chair explained the difficulties in determining which government minister will take the lead on youth issues. The most likely candidate is the Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, although there is overlap with the work of the Ministry of Social Welfare. A possible solution would be the creation of a Youth Employment Task Force composed of representatives from relevant ministries. The task force should consider the established best practices for youth employment and it should ensure coordination with donors. Finally, the Chair recommended the use of the UNDP basket fund to implement youth employment programs, but noted the lack of expertise in this area on the ground in Sierra Leone. He assured the PBC members that he would follow the issue closely and report on expected developments in UNDP’s planning in this area.
Food Security During the discussion, several delegates raised an additional security concern in connection with the recent food crisis and reported rioting in Haiti and Senegal, among others. The representative of China, Ghana and Indonesia urged the PBC to consider food security part of the broader security agenda in Sierra Leone. The Chair responded that President Koroma and Vice-President Sumana both raised the issue in their meetings with him, however, he noted his belief that the PBC should not stray from the set of priorities it has already defined. He pointed out that the food crisis should be the concern of UNDP, WFP and other UN agencies. Following further discussion, the Chair put forward the possibility of considering the issue at the High-Level Consultation.
Amnesty International recently issued a report calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence, including reparations. The report follows on the recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission to ensure that victims of sexual abuse receive reparations and documents the ongoing obstacles faced by survivors.
The report makes several recommendations to the Government of Sierra Leone and to other non-government actors, including civil society, the special court and the Peacebuilding Fund. The Summary recommendations are:
Public acknowledgement of the suffering of women and girls in Sierra Leone;
Implementation of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission on legal, social and economic reforms in order to eradicate discrimination against women and to ensure justice;
A comprehensive, inclusive, effective and accountable reparations programme.
Amnesty held a report launch in Makeni, Sierra Leone on 1 November 2007. At the launch, the government issued a statement committing to implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations and speed progress on opening the Special Fund for War Victims. The government also asked the international community to meet its commitments in funding the Special Fund. Read the full statement.
Newly elected president, Ernest Bai Koroma of the All Peoples Congress party, was inaugurated in Freetown, Sierra Leone on 15 Nov 2007. President Koroma pledged progress in fighting corruption and improving the energy and economic sectors. On the same day, reports emerged from a recent internal corruption audit commissioned by the new President.
President Koroma addressed a large crowd at his inauguration and urged the population to unite now that elections are over. He pledged to fight corruption in the government and provide tangible improvements to the energy sector, including by ensuring access to electricity for all provincial capitals. Finally, he committed his government to working with the international community, including with Sierra Leone’s neighbors in the Mano River Union, to improve the economy. The Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support, Carolyn McAskie delivered a statement on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Freetown. Read more on the inauguration celebrations.
Human Rights Watch issued an open letter to President Koroma welcoming him to his new position and calling his attention to key concerns of the organization. They asked President Koroma and the government to take clear decisive actions toward:
Improving the performance of the national judicial system;
Addressing conditions in detention facilities;
Fighting corruption in the public and private sectors;
Making further progress in improving police conduct;
Abolishing the death penalty;
Supporting the work of the National Human Rights Commission.
In related news, the BBC correspondent in Freetown reportedly obtained a copy of an internal audit commissioned by President Koroma to investigate corruption in the government during the term of former President Berewa. The report is apparently an unusually frank accounting of the widespread corruption problem and highlights challenges in areas such as health care, tax collection and security services. President Koroma ran heavily on a platform of combating corruption, a high-priority for many Sierra Leoneans. His ability to undertake the widespread reforms necessary to reduce the high-level of corruption, while maintaining political stability and ensuring progress in other areas is likely to be a challenge. Read the BBC report online.
The Sierra Leone configuration of the PBC held an informal meeting on the topic of energy sector development in Sierra Leone. President Koroma has made improving energy production and delivery a top priority for his new government and asked the Peacebuilding Commission to take up the issue as a peacebuilding priority. Through a video link with Freetown, several high-level government officials were able to provide the PBC with an overview of the President’s Emergency Energy Plan and engage in a discussion about what the international community can do to support these efforts.
Meeting Overview
The meeting began with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Finance and Energy and Power presenting a fairly comprehensive analysis of the challenges and needs in developing the energy sector in Sierra Leone. They clearly articulated the link between failed development in energy and threats to peace, while outlining the necessary steps to address the issue on a short, medium and long-term basis. The ERSG in Sierra Leone and the major partners there reiterated many of the points made by the GoSL and asked for additional support and resources to help meet many of the goals outlined by President Koroma in this area.
In the needs analysis there was an overwhelming emphasis on meeting the goals of the emergency energy plan and quickly delivering tangible improvements in energy service to some portion of the population. Medium-term plans through 2009 focus on raising production capacity and increasing the reach of services throughout Sierra Leone. When asked about taking a sub-regional or alternative energies approach to development, the Ministers clearly stated what they view as the need to focus on first steps.
PBC members continue to be overwhelmingly supportive of efforts to provide assistance or advice in this area. The issue of PBF support to meeting short-term gaps in funding was raised by a few representatives and there were suggestions of lingering concerns about mandate-creep by the PBC. The Chair concluded the meeting by stating that energy sector development would be incorporated into the next draft of the PBC framework and discussions on the specific commitments from the PBC would continue from there.
Statements
The Chair, Ambassador Majoor (Netherlands), opened the meeting by reminding PBC members that there was general agreement in an earlier informal meeting about the importance of energy sector development. The purpose of this meeting was explained as learning more about the gaps in the energy sector and considering what role the PBC and international community can play in supporting the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) in this area.
Mr. Victor Angelo, Executive Representative of the Secretary General in Sierra Leone, gave an overview of the current situation in the energy sector and described the relevance of development in this area to other peacebuilding priorities. He noted that improvement in energy delivery is essential for improving human development, enhancing dignity, creating economic growth and providing adequate health services. He informed members that only 7% of the population of Sierra Leone has reliable access to electricity. Many businesses and residences rely on individual diesel generators to supply their power. He also reminded members that energy sector development as a policy has been a major issue in Sierra Leone politics.
The ERSG described the challenges faced in developing the energy sector. There is a capacity shortage in generating energy, a low rate of collections by the power authorities and subsequently high tariffs. He described the contributions of the international community in this area as weak and noted the shift in funding away from economic development to social services. Further private sector development in the energy area is limited and difficult to encourage in a post-conflict context, he said. Mr. Angelo urged the PBC to help mobilize the international community to provide aid for energy infrastructure development.
Ms. Zainab Hawa Bangura, Minister of Foreign Affairs, thanked the PBC for taking consideration of this issue and emphasized President Koroma’s commitment to making progress in energy sector development. She informed PBC members that her government is seeking to broaden its donor base in the energy sector and needs the help of the PBC to identify new partners. They would like to see multilateral and bilateral support that takes into account all stages of addressing this issue: short-term, medium-term and long-term development.
Ms. Haja Afsatu Kabbah, Minister of Energy and Power, explained President Koroma’s strategy for improving the energy sector and outlined the gaps that need to be addressed in order to fulfill this plan.
She informed PBC members of the president’s steps thus far, including the setting up of an Emergency Energy Task Force, the appointment of a new Minister for Energy and Power and efforts to finalize the sector policy. Minister Kabbah stated that they plan to address both short-term needs and long-term infrastructure development through public and private partnerships.
Most offices and institutions rely on generators to produce electricity in order to function; the unreliability and cost inefficiency of electricity is resulting in contractions in the industry and high unemployment rates.
Minister Kabbah outlined a number of partially completed projects, what needs those meet and which gaps still must be addressed. The GoSL is attempting to provide short-term results through an emergency power rental program, expected by the end of the year. Other short to medium-term goals include rebuilding existing infrastructure to support higher output and undertaking loss prevention measures, including the finalization of bidding on a 15 mega watt engine funded by the World Bank as part of its Thermal Energy Project. Medium-term plans slated for completion in 2008-2009 include increasing the Bumbuna hydroelectric power plant output and developing additional power stations to serve other parts of the country. Finally, long-term plans include developing a regional approach to the issue through improved cooperation with Liberia and Guinea and adding twenty hdyroelectric power plants by 2012.
Management and operational issues within the National Power Authority (NPA) were also raised. Minister Kabbah explained some of the employment challenges faced by the NPA, including worker strikes, inefficiency, employment of nonessential staff and the need to restructure. She concluded her remarks by again highlighting the importance of these efforts to the everyday lives of all people in Sierra Leone, noting its relevance to economic development and diversification and social welfare.
Mr. David Carew, Minister of Finance, elaborated further and in more detail on several of the projects mentioned by Minister Kabbah during her statement. He also emphasized distribution and collection challenges and some of the steps being undertaken to address those issues.
Energy loss through a poor and broken distribution system and lossed revenue due to low collection capacity and stolen power have further diminshed the capacity of the NPA to provide cost-effective energy to Sierra Leone. He noted the goverment’s efforts to support repairs to transmission lines and install prepaid meters, which needs further support from partners. Minister Carew echoed Minister Kabbah’s assessment of the need to downsize and streamline the NPA, as well as the desire to provide energy services across the country and not just in Freetown.
The major partners in energy sector development in Sierra Leone (China, Italy, UK and the African Development Bank) took the floor in Freetown to reiterate the needs described by the government ministers and to support efforts to bring more attention and resources to development in the sector. Several of these speakers noted that the high cost of diesel was an additional complicating factor in providing short-term gains, which was not mentioned by the government. Minister Bangura later agreed that the cost of diesel is an important factor.
European Commission (Freetown) The representative expressed pleasure that the GoSL has decided to make energy a priority and believes the attention is well-placed. EU member states worked together to close the gap in financing for phase one of the Bumbuna hyrdoelectric project. Additionally, the European Commission has approved five million euros in financing for distribution of electricity in rural areas and donations from the European Development Fund are supporting infrastructure development. The difficulties in providing short-term remedies were mentioned, as was the assessement that the ministers’ presentations had given a good overview of the bottlenecks. Finally, the EC announced that they could support possible use of PBF money to help short-term efforts in the energy sector.
The World Bank (Freetown) further reiterated the urgency and depth of the problems facing the government in the energy sector. The representative noted the Chinese government’s role in supporting development in the sector. The representative explained the challenge that donor project cycles are posing to supporting development; most institutional donors working in Sierra Leone are focused on longer-term development there is little support for meeting the short-term energy needs of the population. The World Bank is attempting to meet these needs by adjusting their financing, but shifting from long-term commitments to short-term projects also leaves a gap in the long-term work.
The Chair was pleased with the number of projects and activities already underway and asked a few clarifying questions, particularly with respect to the Bumbuna project and whether or not the financial shortfall had been met, if it would be operational for the next year and if not what is the current shortfall. Minister Bangura outlined the outstanding shortfalls and short-term needs of the government in this area, stating that it totals approximately 23.5 million USD. Minister Kabbah stated that the phase one funding gap for Bumbuna had been met.
Guinea and the African Union emphasized the issue of the sub-regional dimension in energy sector development. Guinea further asked about any plans to use rivers in the hydroelectric projects and the AU urged any partners undertaking feasibility studies to consider the sub-region. Minister Bangura responded that his government understands the regional dimension of this issue, but needs to focus first on providing basic services to the people Sierra Leone and addressing emergency needs.
India The representative seemed to express support for the idea that the PBF could be used to meet some of the emergency, short-term needs in the energy sector. The representative also highlighted the need to support the repair of the transmission lines from the Bumbuna plant in order to not waste improvements.
Nigeria The representative noted the impact of insufficient energy sector development in Africa on meeting the MDGs. The representative brought attention to the West African Power Pool and the West African gas pipeline project.
Pakistan The representative raised a few clarification questions dealing with the loss issue and then expressed interest in alternative energy strategies. The representative asked about the possibility of leaping over certain stages of energy infrastructure development as a way to speed improvements in the sector. Minister Bangura stated that President Koroma is interested in wind power and would like to see this as part of a long-term strategy, but again emphasized short-term needs and set these in opposition to alternative energy strategies.
Sweden and the Russian Federation teased out what is expected to be an ongoing discussion about balancing the mandate of the PBC with the complexity and myriad of issues impacting peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict countries. They each raised questions about the direct links between energy needs, security and peacebuilding. Minister Bangura and Minister Carew, later, again emphasized the links between energy and peace, particularly in the area of economic development. They noted the difficulty generating jobs in an environment with such unreliable energy sources and the challenge of internal migration to Freetown from the districts with no access to energy and few opportunities for livelihood development.
Sweden also noted the sub-regional issue and Russia inquired about possible leadership from the PBSO on this issue. Minister Kabbah informed that it is difficult to participate in sub-regional programs, such as the West African Power Pool, or actively engage in the Mano River Basin projects without first addressing these emergency issues.
The Chair responded to the questions about mandate and the PBF by informing PBC members that the decision will be made whether or not to take on this issue as a priority, but that there appear to be clear linkages between, particularly short-term, energy sector issues and the work of the PBC. Further, the PBF priorities are to follow from those set by the PBC and so there should be some connection to funding priorities, as well. However, decisions will be made by the Joint Steering Committee in Sierra Leone.
Japan The representative asked what can be done in the short-term to assist in energy sector development and specifically inquired about whether the financing gap has been filled for the Bumbuna project, and whether the project addressed capacity-building in Bumbuna. Japan is also engaged in a project in Freetown.
Japan and Italy asked that the information provided in this meeting be circulated in writing and Japan further asked that the energy sector strategy drafted by the GoSL be circulated to as it would be of interest to potential funders. Minister Kabbah assured the PBC members that they would get details of the energy strategy in writing.
Mr. Angelo reiterated the political implications of this issue by noting first, the immediate need of providing tangible peace dividends to the population to secure continued support for peace; and second, the consequences for the government if it is unable to deliver on promises, a situation faced by the last government and with which the general public may become impatient.
The Chair commented on the lack of trust and willingness to commit to such a difficult undertaking a few months ago, and applauded the progress in meeting this challenge in the interim. He observed that there appeared to be both a substantial need and support for this initiative and the PBC could most clearly contribute to short-term gap-filling. The needs assessment and articulation of next actions would take place in the context of finalizing the framework for cooperation. The Ambassador thanked all participants, applauded the efforts of the GoSL and concluded the meeting.
.png){kind=small}