Calling a Peace Emergency

Joint Op-ed between the Kofi Annan Foundation and Interpeace

By Corinne Momal-Vanian & Itonde Kakoma

We live -again- in a time of war. And we seem resigned to it. Levels of violent conflict are higher than at any time since the end of the Second World War.[1] Global defense spending is the highest-ever recorded. Military expenditure increased for the ninth consecutive year in 2023, reaching $2443 billion.[2]

While states may be prioritizing military strength to address volatile geopolitical and security dynamics, their efforts have failed to arrest violent conflicts, which are growing not just in numbers, but in severity and length. War is now waged in a way that exacerbates civilian harm, with civilian deaths rising rapidly.[3] There are more casualties today from fighting in Darfur than there were 20 years ago. The daily death rate in Gaza has surpassed any other major conflict in this century.[4]

And yet we know that violent responses most often beget new forms of violence and fuel cycles of conflict over generations. Any return on investment for war-driven approaches will never outweigh the immeasurable cost of violent conflict in terms of the loss of lives, livelihoods and infrastructure and wider social harms.

According to the 2023 Global Peace Index, the impact of violence on the global economy amounted to $17.5 trillion in 2022. Research has shown on the other hand that each dollar invested in peacebuilding will lead to a $16 decline in the cost of conflict.[5] If we truly want to reverse current trends and advance peace, we must invest urgently in sustaining and expanding peacemaking and peacebuilding work at a scale that has not been attempted in decades.

By “peace,” we don’t just mean the absence of war. Changing how the world invests in peace requires a total rethink of how we define it. We see peace as a state where social, economic, and political relationships are free from violence and coercion, allowing people to envision a future without fear or injustice and with security and dignity. This is a complex endeavor that requires resources, hard work and expertise.

Unprecedented times require unprecedented action. When world leaders gather at the Summit of the Future in New York later this month, they must declare their determination to restore and strengthen dialogue and cooperation against all odds. They must commit to investing massively in peace as the best way to ensure stability and security for their people. And we must hold them accountable for every life lost in war, every livelihood destroyed, every hospital or school blown up, every child starved in man-made famines.

The current narrative presents war as inevitable. We must counter it by highlighting the numerous examples of successful actions for the prevention of conflicts, the restoration and consolidation of peace. We know that peace work actually works. We see it every day.

It works when we act beyond short-term projects to deliver solutions that span current and future generations. It works when peace actors cooperate and join forces rather than compete for shrinking resources. It works when women are at the center of all peace action and have access to decision-making and when young people drive the solutions for their problems.

There will be no future, no future generations, no future for the planet, without peace. We are calling a Peace Emergency.

This article originally appeared in Le Temps, in French, on 20 September 2024, authored by Corinne Momal-Vanian and Itonde Kakoma.


[1]With Highest Number of Violent Conflicts Since Second World War, United Nations Must Rethink Efforts to Achieve, Sustain Peace, Speakers Tell Security Council, United Nations, Meetings Coverage, Security Council 9250th Meeting, SC/15184, 26 January 2023

[2] https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2024/global-military-spending-surges-amid-war-rising-tensions-and-insecurity

[3] See in particular the Explosive Violence Monitor 2023, Action on Armed Violence.

[4] https://www.oxfam.org/en/press-releases/daily-death-rate-gaza-higher-any-other-major-21st-century-conflict-oxfam

[5] Measuring peacebuilding cost effectiveness, Institute for Economics and Peace, March 2017

International Women’s Day 2024

CGIAR and Interpeace Launch Innovative Dashboard to Promote Peace through Climate Finance

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 welcomes Amina Mohamed and Miriam Coronel Ferrer to its Governing Board

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.

 

Kenya: The commitment of women to foster lasting peace in Rhamu

“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.

Galkayo Peace Week: A reflection on strengthening social cohesion

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.