Kenya: Fostering sustainable peace and development in Tiaty through collaboration with professional organisations

The Tiaty sub-county, located in Baringo County within Kenya's North Rift region, has been plagued by persistent conflicts. The root cause of these security threats in Baringo County can be traced back in early 70s, when the first attack occurred in Kalapata, Baringo North, resulting in the loss of livestock. Before this event, the Pokots and Tugens communities peacefully coexisted in the area, engaging in a mutually beneficial barter trade system where cows were exchanged for farm produce. However, tensions escalated when the Pokot community residing in Tiaty started launching attacks on their neighbouring communities. This ongoing conflict has created significant challenges for the government and other stakeholders in providing essential services such as food, water, and sanitation to the affected communities. Despite past efforts to establish peace, these initiatives have yielded limited success. Furthermore, the educated elite in Tiaty have faced criticism for their perceived failure to effectively utilise their leadership roles, thereby hindering positive transformations.

To address these challenges, Interpeace facilitated an interactive dialogue process with professionals mainly drawn from Tiaty subcounty, Baringo county. The workshop served as a platform for the Tiaty Professional Association (TPA) and various dignitaries, including Senator Baringo County, County Executive Committee (CEC) members and selected members of the county assembly to come together. The objective of this interactive session was to foster a collaborative intervention that would contribute to the establishment of sustainable peace in the sub-county.

Guiding the discussions was Interpeace’s study, ‘Impediments to Peace and Community Resilience in Kenya’s North Rift Region.’ This study aimed to objectively identify the underlying fragilities that hinder peace in the North Rift region. Additionally, it sought to determine the factors of resilience within communities that could be leveraged to foster peace in the region. It is crucial to acknowledge that the absence of peace in Tiaty has led to significant social and economic marginalisation. Those in positions of power frequently disregard this reality.

Achieving peace in Tiaty requires building peace and capabilities from the ground up in a multifaceted approach. With this objective in mind, the meetings produced a set of deliverables that will serve as a guiding roadmap for the successful implementation of sustainable peace and development in Tiaty. Hotspots in Tiaty were identified and mapped, and interventions and peace meetings were planned in these areas. Key messages were formulated, including the urgent need to cease attacks on neighbours, return stolen animals and guns from raids, and apprehend all bandits. The roadmap will serve as a guiding compass to fulfil the objective of establishing sustainable peace in the sub-county.

Speaking at the meeting, Julius Akeno, Chairman of the Tiaty Professional Association, highlighted a concerning issue that has persisted for far too long. He acknowledged that professionals, including from the Pokot community, have remained silent on matters of peace, possibly due to their demanding work schedules scattered across the country. “It is high time the Pokot, particularly the professionals, speak out to tell their story and create solutions to solve the many problems facing their people,” he asserted.

Community-led efforts are equally vital in creating a conducive environment for positive change. By combining the expertise of professionals with the grassroots knowledge and experiences of the community, a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution can be established. Hon. Maureen Limashep, CEC, Baringo County, emphasised the need for community-led initiatives to address the region's insecurity issue effectively. “Our main goal should be to put an end to the menace of cattle rustling within a reasonable timeframe. In doing so, we shall enhance a transformative change that will accelerate peacebuilding efforts and serve as an enabler for development, security, social and economic justice, and reconciliation.”

Hon. William Cheptumo, Senator Baringo County and Chairperson of the Senate Security Committee emphasised the need for development in the county. He acknowledged the undeniable reality of deep-rooted marginalisation that has hindered progress and heightened tensions among communities. “Unless we become honest and accept that there is a problem, our actions will be futile.” He informed the participants about the government's plans to recruit the National Police Reservists (NPR) for Tiaty. This strategic move is expected to significantly address the issue of cattle rustling, which has been a persistent challenge in the region.

Hassan Ismail, Interpeace Kenya Country Representative, urged professionals to get involved in conflict resolution. “Professionals should speed up their involvement in resolving conflict in Tiaty, as this will automatically promote peace and security in Baringo, Samburu, Laikipia, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Turkana County.

Interpeace’s support for the Tiaty Professional Association represents a commitment and principle of “nothing about us without us.” The initiative seeks to empower Tiaty’s professionals to assume a central role in achieving lasting peace and development in the region. It recognises that community-led efforts, coupled with the active participation of professionals, are critical to breaking the cycle of violence and fostering positive change.

 

 

Rosy Khanna appointed Executive Director of Finance for Peace initiative

Interpeace has today announced the appointment of Rosy Khanna as the inaugural Executive Director of its Finance for Peace initiative. Rosy joins Finance for Peace with an impressive background in development finance, including three decades at the International Finance Corporation, the private sector arm of the World Bank. 

Finance for Peace’s new Executive Director Rosy Khanna said: “Leading Finance for Peace at a time when the number of conflicts continues to increase globally, and funding for fragile and conflict-affected states has been steadily declining, appeals to me greatly. I was particularly drawn to the role of Executive Director at Finance for Peace since it provides the platform to influence the conversation on an issue that is very close to my heart: inclusive economic development and resilience building of fragile and conflict-affected states in the context of the poly-crises that they face, such as conflict, climate change, food insecurity, changing demographics, and gender-based issues.  

“I look forward to working with the development finance community, my colleagues at Interpeace and Finance for Peace and other stakeholders and partners in this endeavour and I am confident we can achieve success in Finance for Peace’s mission.” 

Interpeace’s President Itonde Kakoma said: “Interpeace is delighted to have Rosy Khanna join our Finance for Peace initiative as its new Executive Director. Rosy’s remarkable experience in and understanding of development finance and impact investing will be an unrivalled asset for Finance for Peace as it widens its reach and solidifies its work to set the standards and create the market for Peace Finance globally.  

“The systemic change needed to provide sufficient finance for peace and for investment to more meaningfully contribute to peace and social cohesion requires the best minds and a deep underlying commitment to human values, and in Rosy we have both.” 

Rosy Khanna joins Finance for Peace with three decades of multi-sectoral development finance and impact investing experience in emerging markets in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe. Her sectoral focus areas include financial institutions, manufacturing and services companies, fintech companies, and private equity and venture capital funds. Thematically, during her career she has focused on sustainability and climate financing, financial inclusion and gender financing, and innovation with a digital and technology lens. 

Rosy has an established track record in managing large, geographically dispersed teams, and programs and projects focused on inclusive finance, climate finance, gender finance and innovative finance. A visionary and strategic leader, Rosy Khanna has received 26 awards for outstanding business contributions. She is skilful at developing and managing stakeholder relationships resulting in transformative and first-of-a-kind investment, advisory and upstream projects and programs. Rosy has executed impactful programs of approx. USD 10 billion in aggregate new financing and USD 110 million in client advisory engagements. She is proficient in managing high-performing portfolios with assets under management of over USD 12 billion in aggregate. 

Particularly relevant to her new role at Finance for Peace, Rosy has served as board member for a micro-finance holding company and made strategic contributions in governance, policies and procedures to convert the company from NGO to a holding company. She also served as an investment committee member to evaluate private equity funds and credit committee member evaluating financing projects at IFC. She is currently on the Investment Committee of ILX Fund, an SDG-focused USD1 billion emerging market credit fund that provides institutional investors access to development finance opportunities in clean energy, sustainable production, food security and inclusive finance. 

Rosy is currently based in Washington D.C., and she will relocate to Interpeace’s headquarters in Geneva for this role.  

The Finance for Peace initiative of Interpeace works with partners to create the norms, standards, research and knowledge to promote investment approaches aimed at fostering peace in fragile and conflict-affected countries. This includes the development of Peace Bond and Equity Standards, impact frameworks, market intelligence and partnerships. Finance for Peace is financially supported by the German Federal Foreign Office and builds on feasibility research supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office.  

L’inclusivité comme levier de résilience et de cohésion sociale

Le Mali est confronté depuis 2012 à une insécurité croissante. La signature en 2015 d’un accord pour la paix et la réconciliation, espoir vers une paix retrouvée, n’a pas été suivie dans sa mise œuvre en raison de nombreux défis.

Parmi ceux-ci figure le manque d’inclusivité et de participation des populations concernées. Ces personnes ne sont pas suffisamment associées au mécanisme opérationnel de coordination (MOC), pilier de l’accord, à la gestion de la sécurité et au processus de désarmement, démobilisation et réinsertion (DDR). Elles ne sont pas prises en compte dans les initiatives mises en place par les acteurs internationaux.

L’analyse locale des dynamiques de conflit et de résilience à Gao et à Mopti, ainsi que d’autres recherches menées par Interpeace et l’Institut Malien de Recherche-Action pour la Paix (IMRAP) ont mis en exergue les tensions existantes et potentielles qui découlent du manque d’inclusivité.

Les consultations de l’IMRAP/Interpeace ont aussi fait ressortir l’existence d’attentes profondes envers le processus de DDR de la part des populations qui le voient comme un facilitateur à l’emploi et un droit qui leur est dû.

C’est en réponse aux défis que le projet 5P (Pour un processus de paix plus participatif et approprié) a contribué à une collaboration durable et efficace pour la paix en :

Les femmes pour une large sensibilisation autour du Désarmement, Démobilisation et Réinsertion – DDR

Après avoir fait le constat de la faible information/implication des femmes dans le mécanisme de fonctionnement du DDR, la Coordination des Associations et ONG Féminines du Mali (CAFO) sous le leadership de sa présidente régionale (Mopti) a pu conduire une vaste campagne d’information et de sensibilisation à l’adresse des familles élargies à toutes les communautés. Cette initiative a eu des résultats palpables sur les femmes et les jeunes. Elle a été rendue possible grâce au soutien technique et financier d’IMRAP et son partenaire Interpeace.

 

Les activités culturelles au cœur de la cohésion sociale et le vivre ensemble au nord du Mali (Tombouctou)

Avec la crise multidimensionnelle qui secoue le Mali tout entier et singulièrement le nord à Tombouctou, les liens socioculturels entre les différentes ethnies étaient profondément fragilités, en raison de l'amalgame et de la méfiance entre les différentes communautés. Les recommandations issues des dialogues communautaires ont permis à l’association pour l’autonomisation de la femme et la paix d’initier une initiative communautaire soutenue par IMRAP et son partenaire Interpeace. Il s’agit du forum de danses traditionnelles pour la cohésion sociale et le vivre ensemble.

 

Les activités socioéducatives, une alternative contre l’enrôlement des jeunes et l’extrémisme violent

Avec la crise multidimensionnelle qui secoue le Mali tout entier et singulièrement le nord à Tombouctou, les jeunes et les femmes étaient les plus vulnérables. Singulièrement, ils faisaient l’objet d’intimidation et d’enrôlement par les djihadistes, car toutes les écoles étaient fermées. A l’issue des assises communautaires, l’association pour l’autonomisation de la femme et la paix avec l’appui d’IMRAP et son partenaire Interpeace a initié un concours artistique interscolaire avec comme thème central « la prévention contre l’extrémisme violent en milieu scolaire ». Les résultats engrangés sont salutaires.

 

Les groupes de discussion, une opportunité de visibilité pour les services de formation professionnelle

Les groupes de discussion initiés dans le cadre du projet ont servi de cadre pour donner plus de visibilité aux différents services de la formation professionnelle. Ceux-ci ont constitué de levier pour soutenir le processus du DDR en termes de formation et d’insertion professionnelle.

 

Les femmes formulent des recommandations et participent à la prise de décision à l’issue des groupes de discussion.

Les femmes du nord à travers notamment l’association pour le progrès et la défense des droits des femmes collaborent étroitement avec les Force de Défense et de Sécurité (FDS) et participent à la prise de décision avec les autorités politico-militaires. Une initiative soutenue par IMRAP et son partenaire Interpeace.

 

 

Promoting mental health and psycho-social support (MHPSS) sensitive journalism for peacebuilding in Rwanda

The recent World Mental Health Report published by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 highlights the low levels of health literacy regarding mental health as one of the major barriers undermining Mental Health and Psycho-social Support (MHPSS) worldwide. The media, both traditional and new, plays a pivotal role in dismantling these barriers by educating society, advocating, and raising awareness. Ironically, media professionals themselves often lack adequate knowledge and understanding of mental health.

As part of its holistic peacebuilding programme that focuses on MHPSS to promote societal healing and reconciliation in Rwanda, Interpeace organised a training session for journalists. The objective was to increase their knowledge, skills and understanding of MHPSS.

The two-day training took place in August 2023 and provided essential tools and skills to 26 participants from various local media outlets, ensuring their ability to produce professional MHPSS and peacebuilding-related content that adhere to ethical standards.

Media involvement in peacebuilding and MHPSS processes is paramount in Rwanda, where the population continues to grapple with mental health disorders stemming from the Genocide committed against the Tutsi nearly three decades ago.

The training featured theories, case studies, and practical exercises to deepen participants’ understanding of mental health and the ethical considerations that must guide their reporting. The participants commended the training for bolstering their capacity and igniting their willingness for mental health sensitive reporting.

Producing in-depth, well-researched programmes and reports will promote advocacy among various stakeholders, including government officials, experts, and donors, aiming to advance and influence mental health policies and practices in the country.

Oswald Mutuyeyezu, one of the most influential radio journalists, expressed his desire for regular workshops. “We have learnt a lot from this workshop. We have understood Rwanda's most current diagnosed mental health disorders/illnesses and the techniques and approaches required for reporting on them. While it may be too demanding to hold this training every month, I suggest it be organised at least every quarter to refresh our minds and knowledge,” suggested Mutuyeyezu.

Scovia Mutesi, one of the most influential independent female journalists, a social media influencer, and owner of the online newspaper “Mama Urwagasabo” and a YouTube channel, proposed expanding the training to include younger journalists to ensure the initiative's sustainability.

The participants committed to producing more content related to MHPSS and peacebuilding to educate communities and raise awareness. This will contribute to an increase in mental health service utilisation in the country, which currently stands at 5.3%. It will help combat the deep-rooted stigma and discrimination often faced by people living with mental health conditions, which hinders the demand for mental health care.

Interpeace organised the training workshop in partnership with the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), the regulatory body for the media sector in Rwanda, responsible for building its capacity. Emmanuel Mugisha, RMC’s Executive Secretary, commended the partnership with Interpeace for organising this training. He further encouraged trained journalists to utilise the skills gained to foster their professionalism and fulfil their role as the fourth estate.

“We believe in your capacity and power to drive change. Therefore, we anticipate an increase in stories, documentaries and programmes that educate Rwandans about mental health and advocate for a strong and decentralised mental health system. This training lays the foundation for a strong and fruitful partnership between Interpeace and the media sector in promoting MHPSS and peacebuilding in Rwanda,” said Mugisha.

Martti Ahtisaari – 1937 – 2023

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing on 16 October 2023 of the former President of Finland and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Martti Ahtisaari, who was also the Chair of Interpeace’s Governing Board from May 2000 through December 2009.

“President Ahtisaari will be greatly missed not only by his family but by all of us in multilateral diplomacy. Interpeace joins the international community in mourning his passing and I personally salute his achievements,” said Amre Moussa, Chair of the Interpeace Governing Board. 

“Martti joined the global Governing Board in a period of political upheaval in the peace and security landscape. Throughout his chairmanship, lasting nearly 10 years, his wisdom, insight and advice were instrumental in shaping the vision, mission and way forward for our organisation. His commitment to our values and peacebuilding programmes around the world was always enthusiastic and thoughtful,” said Matthias Stiefel, Founder and Vice-Chair of Interpeace. 

“The world has lost a great international statesman today. Above all the accolades, President Ahtisaari embodied humility and a sense of what is just. Martti rooted his vision and pursuit of peace in universal human values. History books will tell of his extraordinary contribution to the advancement of peaceful cooperation within and between states and societies affected by conflict,” said Itonde Kakoma, President of Interpeace.

From everyone at Interpeace – our Governing Board and our staff – we extend our deepest condolences to President Ahtisaari’s family, friends and colleagues from his many walks of life. We especially extend our heartfelt sympathies to colleagues and friends at CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation.

We will remember him for these timeless words, which he delivered when accepting the Nobel Peace Prize in 2008: “Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal.”

 

 

Decentralising mental health and psycho-social support services in Rwanda

Close to three decades after the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, Rwandans are still experiencing its effects on mental health, socio-economic development, social cohesion, and reconciliation. The recent Rwanda Mental Health Survey conducted in 2018 by the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) revealed that the prevalence of mental health disorders among the Rwandan population is higher than the global average and is particularly elevated among genocide survivors. Interpeace’s recent research studies corroborated the findings of the 2018 national survey. The most commonly diagnosed mental illnesses are major depression, post-stress traumatic disorder, anxiety, panic disorder, substance dependency, and social phobia. To address these longstanding consequences, strengthening and supporting the decentralisation of the National Mental Health and Psycho-social Support System is of paramount importance.

Over the past 20 years, the Government of Rwanda has made significant efforts to decentralise mental healthcare in referral and district hospitals and integrate it into primary healthcare (health centers) across the country. However, the country still faces challenges such as the scale of mental health needs that outstrips the capacity of available professionals, low awareness and knowledge of mental health issues, poor mental health infrastructure, and low utilisation of mental health services, which stands at 5.3%.

Through its societal healing programme implemented with the financial support of the Government of Sweden, Interpeace works with the Ministry of Health through the Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC) to find innovative solutions to those challenges. The programme strengthens the capacity of mental health professionals through training and the provision of equipment. With its partners such as Prison Fellowship Rwanda, Haguruka, Dignity in Detention (DIDE) Rwanda, and Groupe des Anciens Etudiants Rescapees du Genocide (GAERG), Interpeace has also introduced a community-based healing approach known as the Resilience-oriented therapy protocol, a multi-phase group-based treatment for emotional regulation, behavioural self-management, and identity development to complement the one-on-one approach usually used in health facilities across the country.

In July 2023, Interpeace trained 58 clinical psychologists and mental health nurses from seven district hospitals, 32 health centres, and four correctional facilities from the five districts of programme intervention, namely Musanze, Nyabihu, Nyamagabe, Nyagatare and Ngoma, to implement resilience-oriented therapy at health centre level.

Clementine Sezicyeye, a Mental Health Nurse at Kigeme Hospital, located in Nyamagabe District, Southern Rwanda, is among the trainees. Her unit receives over 200 cases of various mental health disorders every month. She mainly offers medication-assisted treatment.  She is convinced that the community-based Resilience-oriented healing spaces will contribute to ensuring easy access to mental health care for more people.

“The one-on-one approach we have been using is good and effective, but it is not enabling us to help as many people as the scale of needs requires. We have learnt a new group-based approach that allows us to help many people at the same time with the possibility for facilitating more than two groups a week. This is an innovative solution to this challenge. We are ready to implement this protocol,” commented Sezicyeye.

The trained health professionals will facilitate resilience-oriented healing spaces created in their health centres, accommodating a group of 10 people each. Group members attend healing dialogues for a period of 30 weeks, composed of 24 weekly healing sessions and six follow-up sessions. Community members are allocated to appropriate healing groups after screening sessions conducted in communities to assess the level of their psychological distress and their needs.

The programme has supported health centres and hospitals with tablet computers for adequate data collection and management during the screening and healing processes. They will also be provided with motorcycles to facilitate the transportation of mental health professionals to remote communities.

“There are many people in communities who don’t even know or recognise that they have mental health issues and those who know but have limited means to access health care. As a health centre, we have a very limited budget to organise large-scale activities in communities. I believe that enabling us to reach out to them is the best way to support them,” said Emmanuel Mbarushimana, the Head of Muhoza Health Centre, located in Musanze District, Northern Province of Rwanda, who added that community screening sessions will be an opportunity to carry out awareness campaigns to increase awareness and knowledge among the community members as well as combat the stigma that people with mental health issues usually face.

The low mental health literacy among heads of health centres still constitutes a stumbling block to service delivery.  All 32 heads of health centres from five districts of the programme have been trained to increase their knowledge and strengthen their capacity in mental health and psycho-social support care.  “My colleagues and I used to undervalue the work of psychologists and mental health nurses because we had little knowledge of what they do and what it requires. We often used them as backup staff when we faced staff shortages. Now I have understood that they do a lot of work and need more time and safe space,” stated Mbarushimana.