As part of its peacebuilding mission, Interpeace initiated, with the technical and financial support of the PATRIP Foundation, the Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KFW), Germany and Denmark, the “Brique par brick: strengthening social cohesion and preventing conflicts on the Mali-Burkina Faso border”. This initiative aims to promote the economic, political and social stabilization and resilience of communities living in fragile regions, particularly along the borders between Mali and Burkina Faso, and to promote local conflict resolution and prevention of violent extremism. To this end, Interpeace has developed a system to support the empowerment of women and young people.
The security crisis and community conflicts in the Sahel call for a synergy of actions by States, development partners and community organizations with the aim of reinstating or consolidating social cohesion and living together. Echoing the urgency inherent to this situation in the Mali-Burkina Faso border strip, Interpeace has developed, with the support of the PATRIP Foundation, the project “Brick by brick: strengthening social cohesion and preventing conflicts at the border Mali-Burkina Faso”. This initiative was preceded by a first phase which brought to the fore, in a participatory manner, the conflict dynamics of the border area as well as the responses to be addressed.
Among the proposed avenues, the development of income-generating activities with an environmental dimension stands out, the objective of which is to promote the empowerment of vulnerable populations, particularly women and young people. This approach helps to reduce the sources of social tension around the exploitation of natural resources.
In view of the community dimension of the activities and for issues linked to local ownership and the sustainability of the project, support for income-generating activities was carried out with the support of local organizations both in Mali and in Burkina Faso. Faso. These include Esther Vision from Burkina Faso and the NGO Action for the Development of Local Initiatives (ADILO) from Mali.
The support system for income-generating activities was developed in three stages. After a study to identify and popularize green jobs, sixty women and young people were chosen and trained in livestock breeding, cereal production, the processing of non-wood forest products and even beekeeping. The participants followed a participatory and inclusive process and according to criteria of vulnerability, age, gender and residence. At the end of the training, they were given installation and start-up kits. “I received training in beekeeping, then I was provided with production equipment. Thanks to this, I now have a profitable activity and I have acquired new knowledge about harvesting and marketing honey,” says Mamadou Traoré, a participant from Koloko, Burkina Faso.
In addition, the income-generating activities promoted launch different employment prospects with the aim of establishing alternatives to activities linked to the exploitation of natural resources which is the subject of tensions in the project intervention area. “Thanks to the training, I received skills that allow me to improve my productivity, conservation and marketing of soumbala. Today, we make more profits,” says Odette Sanou, a participant and soumbala producer from Koloko, Burkina Faso.
From comments collected from young people and women, it appears that these alternatives developed have made it possible to reduce competition around the exploitation of natural resources. Conflicts on this issue have therefore diminished. Indeed, all the participants recognized that before the project intervention, women derived most of their income from the exploitation of non-timber forest products: shea and néré among others. The resulting competition constituted a real source of daily conflicts. These often transcend families to involve entire villages.
Today, the promotion of income-generating activities has not only reduced competition around these activities, but has also allowed women to have other perspectives, considerably reducing conflicts linked to the exploitation of natural resources. Wassa Sanogo, a participant residing in Hermakono, Mali, stated that: “since I moved towards the breeding of small ruminants, I get along better with my co-wives and the other women who process and sell the shea’s nuts.
Also, difficulties in accessing land have exacerbated unemployment and precariousness among young people. This situation exposes them to the alternatives proposed by the armed groups present in the area. Support for carrying out income-generating activities is, from their point of view, likely to increase their empowerment and strengthen their resilience in the face of recruitment attempts by armed groups. Drissa Traoré, a participant residing in Hermakono, Mali, maintained that “thanks to the training, I was able to acquire farming techniques which allowed me to cultivate corn on one hectare and the harvests look good. I think that if all young people had this chance, terrorist groups would not have been able to enlist some and we would be at peace”.
Ultimately, if income-generating activities are primarily intended to support the empowerment of women and young people, they contribute to reducing competition around the exploitation of natural resources and strengthening their resilience. They therefore help prevent conflicts and strengthen social cohesion. This is why, for Interpeace and its partners, support for these activities as means of subsistence today constitute one of the alternatives for responding to these challenges in that African region.
Having long been plagued by instability, conflict, and war, the people of the Great Lakes region remain steadfast in their pursuit of peace. With this objective in mind, young people from Rwanda, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Burundi met for three days in Kigali from 11 to 13 December for a workshop organised by Interpeace and its local partners, namely Pole Institute and Action pour la Paix et la Concorde (APC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Centre d'Alerte et de Prévention des Conflits (CENAP) in Burundi, Vision Jeunesse Nouvelle (VJN) and Never Again Rwanda in Rwanda. This workshop was part of the ‘Cross-border Dialogue and Youth Empowerment for Peace in the Great Lakes Region’ programme. The aim was to exchange ideas on peace initiatives led by young innovators and peace fellows supported by the programme.
The workshop served as a platform to discuss peacebuilding efforts in the region and to pay tribute to the contributions of young people to build peace through their various initiatives in their respective countries.
In the DRC, young people have established the MUUNGANO spaces and the TUUNGANE KWA AMANI initiatives in the provinces of North and South Kivu, respectively, within schools, universities, and communities.
To promote peaceful cohabitation between refugees and the host communities in Uganda, young innovators use football to stimulate and facilitate socialisation and exchange between these two groups.
The J'IBUNTU initiative, launched by young people in Burundi, aims to promote socio-economic resilience in their communities. These young people are leveraging new information and communication technologies and setting up discussion platforms on social networks to reach a larger audience.
In Rwanda, young innovators are campaigning for mental health and entrepreneurship for peace through the AMANI YOUTH EXPO initiative. Their main target focus is training, informing, and raising awareness of these issues among young people.
Convinced that peace is possible and to sustain the impact of their initiatives in the Great Lakes region, these young innovators are calling on everyone to take up the message of peacebuilding. They insist, however, on the support and active commitment of decision-makers to achieve lasting peace in the region, using their slogan: "So come around the fire, around the fire of peace.”
Representing the European Union at the workshop, Uwe Wissenbach, head of the political section of the delegation to Rwanda, recalled the coalition's efforts in peacebuilding and commended youth-led peacebuilding initiatives. "Resolving conflicts takes time and a lot of energy. The important thing is to get peaceful exchanges of ideas going so that we can build a future together. So, I listened very carefully to the various contributions of young people from different countries. Their initiatives are commendable," said Wissenbach.
Dominique Habimana, representative of the Swiss Development Cooperation at the workshop, emphasised, "Young people are the hope not only of tomorrow but also of today. Tomorrow starts today. They have the energy to rise to the challenges. Our role must be to support them so that they can play their part effectively."
Paul Rukesha, Director General for Communication and Partnerships at the Rwandan Ministry of National Unity and Civic Engagement (MINUBUMWE) was the guest of honour at the conference and called on young people to work together to combat hate speech. "We encourage young people to unite, to have love and to avoid all forms of discrimination," he said.
Since its launch, the ‘Cross-border Dialogue and Youth Empowerment for Peace in the Great Lakes Region’ programme, with financial support from the European Union and the Swiss Development Cooperation, has brought remarkable changes.
Its main achievements include 30 young innovators and 120 peace fellows trained and mentored to become actors for peace in their respective countries and communities; five innovative peace-building initiatives developed by young people, technically and financially supported by the programme; 19 intergenerational and intercultural dialogues and seven political dialogues organised, facilitating a safe space for young people and elders to discuss and promote a culture of dialogue to overcome prejudice and stereotypes; two cross-border peace festivals in Burundi and Rwanda, reaching 821 participants; and a Great Lakes Youth Peace Summit held in Burundi in March 2023, which provided a space for young people to exchange views with each other, with elders and with policy-makers on the challenges facing the new generation, as well as the opportunities to fully play their crucial role in the peace and development process.
In the face of increasing climate threats and security challenges, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and climate funds are responsible for aiding regions where climate vulnerabilities intersect with fragility and conflict. Recent research indicates that a staggering 40% of the 1.3 billion people worldwide exposed to climate hazards reside in fragile and conflict-affected settings. In other words, climate change disproportionately impacts those already suffering from conflict and fragility. This is why finance must reach those affected by this double burden.
Responding to this critical issue, UNFCCC-affiliated funds are mandated to allocate substantial resources to these vulnerable zones. This can only be successful, however, if climate finance is conflict sensitive. Without such strategies, there is a considerable risk of funds failing to reach those most susceptible to the combined impacts of climate and security threats or, even worse, unintentionally worsening local grievances and intensifying exclusionary practices.
At the same time, there is an opportunity (and responsibility) for climate action to positively contribute to trust building and stability. This is achieved by going beyond conflict sensitivity to deliberately contribute to peace by supporting inclusive, gender-responsive, locally-led change, strengthening communities’ resilience to conflict and violence.
A Tailored Peace-responsiveness Tool for Climate Initiatives Unveiled at COP28
To address this multifaceted challenge, CGIAR and Interpeace in partnership developed the Climate Security Programming Dashboard for Climate Finance (CSPDxCF) , an innovative tool aimed at assisting countries, organisations, and businesses to evaluate the conflict sensitivity of their proposed climate mitigation and adaptation projects when seeking funding from IFIs and climate funds. CSPDxCF combines an individual risk profile responding to project characteristics with tailored conflict sensitivity and peace responsiveness guidance. The dashboard has been developed under the framework of CGIAR’s Climate Resilience (ClimBeR) and the Fragility, Conflict and Migration (FCM) Initiatives.
Drawing from CGIAR's expertise in climate science and Interpeace's experience in supporting peacebuilding processes in some of the most climate-vulnerable places, CSPDxCF aspires to improve fund delivery to communities most at risk, ensuring that climate initiatives contribute to both climate resilience and peace.
CSPDxCF was launched during the 28th Climate Change Conference (COP 28). The COP28 panel discussion gathered strategic partners such as the African Development Bank Group (AfD), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
"A deeper understanding of the specific challenges faced in delivering climate finance in fragile and conflict-affected settings is needed; we need tailored and cross-sectoral, collaborative approaches", said Al-Hamndou Dorsouma, Manager of Climate and Green Growth, at AfDB. In addition, Abdi Abdullahi, Manager of the Fragility and Resilience Division of IsDB Group recognised that they will “continue to operationalise a conflict sensitivity-based approach. This dashboard will help us address the issue of prevention".
How CSPDxCF Works
The CSPDxCF is designed to be a user-friendly tool, providing streamlined risk analyses and guidance. The dashboard facilitates an automated, conflict-sensitive advice, spotlighting potential conflict risks and offering tailored strategies for mitigation. This ensures that projects not only address climate concerns but also consider the delicate socio-political contexts.
CSPDxCF is open access and provides preliminary sectorial risk assessments, as well as guidance on conflict sensitivity and peace responsiveness at the project's ideation and design stages, streamlining the planning process. Recognising the complexity of the nexus between climate change and peace, CSPDxCF also includes a thematic series of eight Guidance Notes for Peace-Informed Programming, tailored to the Green Climate Fund’s result areas. The series aims to offer a deeper analysis of the interrelation between each sector with conflict and peace dynamics. The briefs can be accessed here: health, food, water; livelihoods; infrastructure and built environment; ecosystems; energy; transport; buildings, cities, industries; forest and land uses.
Interpeace is honoured to welcome Amina Mohamed and Miriam Coronel Ferrer to its Governing Board. They were elected unanimously and their appointments confirmed at the forty-fourth Board meeting held on Wednesday, 6 December 2023.
The Governing Board also discussed the changing global conflict, security and peacebuilding landscape. And the Board reviewed Interpeace’s strategic direction.
Coronel Ferrer is co-founder of the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators, a platform of Southeast Asian women engaged in mediating, negotiating, and facilitating peace processes. A retired professor of political science at the University of the Philippines, she chaired the Philippine government panel that negotiated and signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front on 27 March 2014. Ms. Coronel Ferrer was a member of the United Nations’ Standby Team of Mediation Experts between 2018 – 2021. In this capacity, she provided mediation support to UN missions in Afghanistan, Iraq, Maldives, Kosovo, Georgia, and Southeast Asia, among others. Ms. Coronel Ferrer also supported various undertakings to advance the inclusion of women and youth in mediation and peace processes.
Mohammed has had a distinguished career in the public service of Kenya. She served in three ministerial portfolios, as Cabinet Secretary of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Education, Science and Technology; and, Sports, Culture and Heritage. Ms. Mohamed was also Permanent Secretary for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs. She is a former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director of UNEP. Ms. Mohamed served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative at Kenya’s Mission to the United Nations in Geneva from 2000 – 2006.
Interpeace’s Governing Board is the highest decision-making body of the organisation and defines the organisation’s overall strategy. It is made up of prominent individuals from the government, international, and business sectors.
“We are honoured, motivated and inspired by the appointments of Miriam Coronel Ferrer and Amina Mohamed. We look forward to drawing on their wisdom and leadership as part of our Governing Board, so that we continue strengthening Interpeace’s peacebuilding work that is deeply rooted in communities with global reach,” said Itonde Kakoma, President of Interpeace.
“Women are the backbone of society. They are the most affected during conflict as their husbands and sons die, but they can also be inciters or drumbeaters of conflict.” Barwaqo Ahmed, County Gender Officer, Mandera.
In the remote region of Rhamu, located in northeastern Kenya near the Ethiopia border, there is a ray of hope amidst conflict. This area, which is about 73 kilometres to the west of Mandera County, has long been plagued by violent conflicts and forced relocations brought on by deeply rooted clan-based disputes. The conflict in Rhamu stems from territorial disputes and has had devastating consequences for the local communities. The violence, displacement, and profound socio-economic losses have left lasting trauma in their wake. Tensions have escalated between the Degodia and Murulle communities, particularly in Rhamu and Sala, which are located just 9 kilometres east of Rhamu. In response to this alarming rise in hostilities, efforts were made not only to address the immediate crisis but also to redefine the role of women in the broader peace process. In this context, a significant initiative has emerged to place women at the forefront of fostering peace and reconciliation efforts.
In October 2023, Interpeace and the Network for Peace, Cohesion, and Heritage (NEPCOH) organised a two-day women-only dialogue meeting. The event aimed to complement ongoing ceasefire initiatives by providing a dedicated space for 51 women from Rhamu and Sala to engage in dialogue. The objective was clear: to let the voices of these women resonate and contribute significantly to the ongoing pursuit of peace. The outcomes of this dialogue were far-reaching. A comprehensive strategy was developed, leading to the formation of a seven-woman grassroots committee, each representing the Murulle, Garre, Corner tribe, and Degodia communities, under the leadership of Zahara Bashir Ali, a member of the Board for NEPCOH and an active participant in Interpeace’s Kenya Programmes working group. This committee took on the task of actively promoting peace and harmonious coexistence among the communities in Rhamu and Sala.
The women-led grassroots committee hopes to advance the peace process in Sala and Rhamu by advocating for a ceasefire and implementing strategic tasks and interventions. By organising gatherings that bring together diverse groups, claiming their presence and voices in decision-making procedures, and assuming the role of early warning systems to stop conflicts from getting worse, they pledged to foster peace and reconciliation.
While the aftermath of the conflict has shown a decrease in violence, challenges persist, particularly for women. They navigate a delicate environment of fragile trust and limited social interaction. However, these women have discovered the power of sharing their personal stories. Their conversations revealed a remarkable familiarity, whereby they could readily identify one another by name, family connections, and their respective places of origin. The unexpected eruption of conflict was acknowledged as a collective shock, prompting a firm commitment to collaborate and disseminate peace throughout their communities.
“In Rhamu, we have been working for a long time, and a period of peace has been achieved. Now that some misunderstanding has taken place between two communities, we have seen it fit to engage the women in our peace dialogue meeting,” said Maalim Mahat, NEPCOH.
The journey towards lasting peace in Rhamu and Sala, with the support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, showcases women's key role in transforming conflict-ridden areas. This initiative is not just a community triumph but a global call to embrace and amplify the unique contributions made by women in peacebuilding efforts.
The Galkayo Peace Week is a significant effort to promote peace and stability in the city of Galkayo, which has been plagued by conflict and violence between the clans of Puntland and Galmudug since 1991. The peace week was initiated by the Mudug Joint Youth Peace Platform in 2021 following the Galkayo Peace Agreements, which aimed to end the ongoing conflict between the warring regions. The initiative was supported by Interpeace and its partner, the Puntland Development and Research Center (PDRC).
The most recent Peace Week took place in November 2023 and demonstrated the city's resilience and determination to move away from its troubled past. The event focused on sustaining and strengthening the peace agreements and promoting social cohesion. The thematic area for the conference was "Bridging Divides: A Discourse on Strengthening Social Cohesion, addressing clan revenge, and countering illicit drugs."
The Peace Week brought together various groups, including peace committees, joint police forces, traditional elders, the business community, youth, and women from both Galmudug and Puntland. The aim was to create a platform for constructive talks and discussions about past conflicts, with a vision of a joint administration and a more harmonious and prosperous future for Galkayo.
One of the key outcomes of the Peace Week was the creation of a four-point communiqué, which served as a roadmap for guiding discussions and reflections. The communiqué called on the international community, the Federal Government and the Federal Member States of Galmudug and Puntland to respond effectively to the ongoing challenges in the region. It also highlighted the significance of amalgamating the efforts of both administrative leaderships towards a joint administration.
The Peace Week included various activities such as dialogue sessions to address the clan conflict, fostering intergenerational dialogue, reflecting on past peace-building efforts with a focus on the role of women, and outreach activities aimed at promoting unity among communities. These events aimed to promote peace, reconciliation, and shared goals among the participants and build resilient communities capable of withstanding future challenges.
“To ensure lasting peace, it is essential to extend peace building initiatives and resources to rural areas, addressing their unique challenges and needs,” Asha Ali Bagag – Chair of Mudug Women Peace Committee.
The goals for the future include fostering continued dialogue and conflict resolution, evaluating and improving existing reconciliation mechanisms, empowering women in social reconciliation, raising awareness about peace, and strengthening collaborative networks. These objectives aim to solidify the gains made during the Peace Week and ensure a resilient and united Galkayo that can face future challenges effectively.
The Galkayo Peace Week is a significant initiative to promote peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion in a region plagued by conflict. By bringing together diverse stakeholders and addressing key issues, the Peace Week aims to lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and prosperous future for Galkayo.
“A lasting peace is possible when people can come together and be part in its process.” Abdullahi Abdirahman Minister of Livestock, Galmudug.
