Reconciliation and state formation in Somalia’s Galmudug region have been greatly challenged by multiple factors. Between 2015-2019, the situation in Galmudug was aggravated as the region was split in two, with separate administrations based in both Dhumasareb and Adado. In 2019, the Ministry of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation of the federal government, initiated a process to establish a new state for Galmudug. After repeated failed attempts of reconciliation by various parties, this latest process has been met with some success.
The report “Galmudug Reconciliation: Processes, Challenges, and Opportunities Ahead” presents the findings from a field study looking into the characteristics of the political and social reconciliation processes in the Galmudug region. The study was conducted between July and September 2020 by Somali Public Agenda, with support from Interpeace. Data was obtained in the form of in-person and online interviews with 21 key stakeholders, including the former Prime Minister of Somalia, and was complemented by wider literature. The report sheds light on the achievements of the reconciliation process and addresses the remaining challenges to foster sustainable peace in the region.
Results show that the relative success of the latest reconciliation efforts in Galmudug are due to a combination of factors. It illustrates that inclusion beyond political affiliations is necessary for reconciliation to prove fruitful. The state’s current president, Ahmed Abdi Kariye “Qoorqoor”, elected in February 2020, reached an agreement with opposition candidates even before his inauguration, despite them having boycotted the election itself. By reaching out to opposition politicians and forming a diverse state cabinet, Qoorqoor has set an example for the rest of the country, ensuring that the administration has made significant efforts to be inclusive and not restricted to a specific group.
Notwithstanding these promising reconciliation efforts, the state is still fragile and the challenges it faces are numerous. Any chance for success needs to be deeply rooted in inclusion, where stakeholders at all levels participate and co-operate. The report includes a set of policy considerations on political and social reconciliation efforts to help build on the accomplishments gained in the region, but also highlighting the possible challenges ahead. These include the upcoming federal elections, the need for a security sector reform, improving access to justice and investing in water resources, among other factors.
Read full report here.
We are honored to welcome Ambassador Marianne Kress, Head of Department for Migration, Stabilization and Fragility at the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to our Advisory Council.
Interpeace’s Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is a high-level statutory body that provides the organization with key strategic advice and guidance on peacebuilding policy and practice. It plays a key role in guiding the organization and serves as a testing ground for developing ideas.
“I am delighted to join the Interpeace Advisory Council at a critical stage in the world when conflicts and violence are on the upward curve. The world is faced with the daunting task of rebuilding resilient societies in the face of multiple challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change; to human rights violations and widespread inequality. It is a privilege at a time such as this to contribute to Interpeace‘s strategic thinking and global efforts to foster resilience at the local level as well as help transform our international frameworks towards the realization of the sustaining peace agenda“.
Ambassador Kress is the Head of Department for Migration, Stabilization and Fragility of the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2020. Prior to her appointment, she served as Ambassador to Mali between 2018 and 2020 and as Deputy Ambassador to Mali from 2017 to 2018. She was also the Deputy Head of Development Cooperation at the Danish embassy in Burkina Faso. Ambassador Kress also has extensive experience and expertise on EU foreign policy, having been seconded as senior policy advisor to the European External Action Service (EEAS) from 2011 to 2015. She holds a MSc in International Development Studies/Economics from Roskilde University.
Can we build forward better? The virus spreads far and fast and does not know, nor care, for boundaries. Initially, some referred to the COVID-19 crisis as a “great equalizer,” yet it has been anything but equalizing. Besides being the greatest health crisis of our time, COVID-19 is a multidimensional crisis that threatens broader peace and social cohesion. While the virus is still wreaking havoc across the globe, it is nonetheless important to look to the future – or different futures – into which the pandemic may lead us. What should be the key policy and programmatic considerations for international health and employment interventions responding to COVID-19 in conflict-affected countries? What can be done to “build forward better”?
Given this overwhelming global challenge, Interpeace is delighted to launch the joint report ‘from crisis to opportunity for sustainable peace: A joint perspective on responding to the health, employment and peacebuilding challenges in times of COVID-19’. This is a collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (DPPA/PBSO).
The pandemic is overwhelming health systems, interrupting supply chains, exacerbating unemployment, and diverting resources and capacities from other health needs. It is worsening persistent political, social and economic structural inequalities. These patterns are triggering new grievances and intensifying pre-existing conflict dynamics. The potential of increased conflict and violence at such a time must command our collective attention. Potential conflict threatens not only peace and stability but also the effectiveness of public health responses to COVID-19. Domestic actors and their international partners intervening to mitigate the health, socioeconomic and peacebuilding risks of the pandemic should work together to achieving the desired outcomes.
While the primary response to the pandemic must come from both local and national levels, the role of international actors is still crucial. The report identifies key policy and programmatic considerations for international health and employment interventions responding to COVID-19 in conflict-affected countries by integrating a peace and conflict lens to equally strengthen prospects for peace.
This report draws on emerging findings on how the epidemic has affected these multiple dimensions in society. Important lessons in this regard have been incorporated from recent Ebola outbreaks in Central and West Africa. The report sets out the most relevant considerations for effective, conflict-sensitive and peace responsive approaches to mitigate the effects of the pandemic in conflict-affected contexts, including the integration of gender and youth sensitivity and responsiveness.
What can be done now to increase the chance of positive structural and societal transformations that bring about a more sustainable peace? How can social cohesion and social justice be at the centre of all interventions? And more broadly, how can all interventions help address the structural barriers to building and sustaining peace?
Read the report to find answers.
Click here to read the report in English
Click here to read the report in French
[Geneva, 15 Dec 2020] The Principles for Peace, a groundbreaking global and collaborative initiative to develop principles, standards and norms that will guide international, national, and local approaches to building lasting peace is being launched today during a virtual event hosted from Geneva.
The initiative is being spearheaded by a diverse and independent International Commission with deep expertise and experience drawn from current and former political leaders, civil society leaders and some of the world’s foremost practitioners in the fields of international peacemaking and peacebuilding.
The International Commission on Inclusive Peace will address the shortcomings of contemporary approaches to building peace and reframe peacemaking and peacebuilding for the 21st century. The Commission will be supported by the Principles for Peace Secretariat in Geneva, hosted by Interpeace.
There is an urgent need to improve the international approach to peacebuilding and peacemaking. The world is experiencing over 50 active armed conflicts, an all-time high[i]. Two-thirds of those crises are protracted conflicts of 8 years or more. Many peace processes are stalled and even when agreements are struck, peace tends to be short term. Indeed, most peace processes fail on average after only seven years.[ii] Furthermore, 35% of peace agreements are never implemented[iii]. The world is changing fast, and approaches to peacebuilding need to evolve with the times. They must become more accountable to, and inclusive of, populations that are suffering the consequence of failed peace processes.
Hiba Qasas, Head of the Principles for Peace Secretariat: “International approaches to peace processes have largely not changed since the end of the Cold War, yet the fundamental nature of conflict has changed. Too many peace processes have failed to effectively reduce or end violent conflicts let alone build lasting peace, and yet the international community continues to apply the same solutions and expect different results.”
Bert Koenders, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands & Former United Nations Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali, and member of the International Commissionon Inclusive Peace, speaking on the eve of the launch: “Our current approach to peacemaking is not sufficient. We have to do things differently. We have to move beyond top-down approaches that use the same toolbox that treats every country the same and hoping for the best.”
The work of the International Commission will be anchored in a bottom-up process that engages hundreds of thousands of people with lived experience of conflict and peace processes. The initiative is bolstered by an extensive Stakeholder Forum of international and local organizations committed to building peace around the world. Local consultations in more than 25 conflict affected countries will aim to capture the aspirations for peace from every corner of society. Local voices will inform the Commission’s deliberations to ensure they are grounded and inclusive of marginalized groups.
According to the President of Interpeace, Scott Weber: “Contemporary peace processes are not fit-for-purpose. Bringing hostilities to an end by rewarding those who have been violent with a share of power, is both insufficient and at times counter-productive. Peace processes must focus on building trust, laying the foundations for broadly legitimate institutions and a social contract between citizens and their States.”
The International Commission for Inclusive Peace will conduct global consultations for the next two years at the international, regional, national, and local levels and will be informed by cutting-edge research on lessons learned in peacebuilding and peacemaking from previous peace processes. It will build on the solid foundations and existing political will reflected in the United Nations Sustaining Peace agenda and related Security Council Resolutions.
The initiative is supported by the Governments of Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the Robert Bosch Stiftung and Interpeace. Interpeace is an International Organisation for Peacebuilding that has been leading the development of nationally owned peacebuilding solutions across the world for 26 years.
Mr. Bernardo Arévalo de León. Guatemala. Member of the Guatemalan Congress. Senior diplomat. Former Deputy Foreign Minister. Former Deputy Director General at Interpeace for Research and Development. Peacebuilding Expert and Practitioner.
Mr. Yves Daccord. Switzerland. Former Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Humanitarian practitioner with experiences in Israel, Palestine, Sudan, Yemen, Chechnya and Georgia. Leading a special initiative at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center for Internet and society, focusing on the theme of security, social contract and the role of cities at the age of digital surveillance and pandemics.
Lieutenant-General (ret) The Honourable Roméo Dallaire. Canada. Former Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda. Former Canadian Senator. Founder of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security.
Ms. Ilwad Elman. Somalia/Canada. Peace Activist and leader in Women, Peace and Security Programming in Somalia. Chief Operating Officer and Co-founder of Elman Peace and Human Rights Center. Expert Advisor on Youth, Peace and Security to the United Nations Secretary General.
Mr. Frederic Gateretse Ngoga. Burundi. Ambassador, Head of Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Division at the African Union Commission. Former Senior Officer with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad. Jordan. Chief Adviser for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy to His Majesty. Professor of Philosophy. Active in interfaith dialogue. Former Advisor for Tribal Affairs and Cultural Secretary.
Mr. Bert Koenders. The Netherlands. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Former Minister for Development Cooperation. Former United Nations Secretary General’s Special Representative (SRSG) in Côte d’Ivoire and Mali. Former President of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Parliamentary Assembly.
Ms. Sanam Naraghi Anderlini. Iran/United Kingdom. Founder and Executive Director of the International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN). Director of the Center of Women, Peace and Security at the London School of Economics.
Ms. Teresita Quintos Deles. Philippines. Peacemaker and Civil Society Activist. Party to the Philippines Peace Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Co-Founder, International Center for Innovation, Transformation and Excellence in Governance (INCITEGov). Former Presidential Advisor on the Peace Process in the Philippines.
Ms. Naheed Sarabi. Afghanistan. Former Deputy Minister of Finance. Former Deputy for the Secretariat for Peace Loya Jirga in Afghanistan in 2019. Former Director General for Analysis and Monitoring at Finance Ministry. Former Director of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy.
Mr. Rory Stewart. United Kingdom. Senior Fellow at the Jackson Institute, Yale University, focusing on contemporary politics in crisis and on international development and intervention. Former British diplomat. Development professional and politician. Former Minister of State in the Foreign Office and Former Secretary of State for International Development. Author of four books. Presentation of three documentaries focused on Foreign Policy.
Ms. Annika Söder. Sweden. Ambassador. Former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Sweden. President of the Board of Governors European Institute of Peace. Former State Secretary for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs.
Luvini Ranasinghe, Global Communication Manager, Interpeace
ranasinghe@interpeace.org
Mobile: +41 79 475 64 95
Direct Line: +41 22 404 59 22
Notes to the editors
Find more information about:
Register on our website: www.principles4peace.org
[i] Therese Pettersson and Magnus Öberg (2020) Organized violence: 1989–2019, Journal of Peace Research 57:4, 597–613. State-based armed conflicts are defined as “a contested incompatibility that concerns government and/or territory where the use of armed force between two parties, of which at least one is the government of a state, results in at least 25 battle-related deaths in one calendar year”. Non-State conflicts are thereby defined as “the use of armed force between two organised armed groups, neither of which is the government of a state, which results in at least 25 battle-related deaths in a year”.
[ii] PRIO (2016) Conflict Recurrence, PRIO Conflict Trends 02/2016.
[iii] Stina Högbladh (2012) Peace Agreements 1975-2011: Updating the UCDP Peace Agreement Database, in: Pettersson, Therése, Themnér, Lotta (eds) States in Armed Conflict 2011, 39-56.
By Renée Larivière, Senior Director of Programme Management
Timor-Leste experienced successive political unrest and cycles of violence underlining the deep divisions and unresolved grievances embedded within the society. Interpeace began its peacebuilding work in Timor-Leste in 2007 by establishing the Centre of Studies for Peace and Development (CEPAD) as a response to address these complex issues.
From the initial stage of the partnership, Interpeace closely supported CEPAD with both methodical and financial support to ensure CEPAD’s sustainability. It was important from the first days of engagement that Interpeace and CEPAD develop a genuine relationship based on trust, openness and mutual respect.
A closer look into this relationship between Interpeace and CEPAD, reveal several success factors that stand out among others. Interpeace understood the importance of identifying a person with the capability to bring conflicting parties to the table. Therefore after conducting comprehensive search for the identification of such a resource, Interpeace decided to connect with João Boavida, a Timorese professional with extensive experience in the field of peace building. Interpeace was able to provide CEPAD with the space required to carry out a nationwide consultation with local communities on its priorities for the nation instead of top-down imposed blueprint.
As the years unfolded, Interpeace witnessed CEPAD developing its wings with great maturity to adopt a more dynamic and independent role in securing funding and opportunities for collaboration. Therefore, having concluded that CEPAD was ready to successfully continue its unique journey independently, Interpeace has transitioned from providing financial support. However, the spirit of collaboration between the two organisations remain unchanged, with Interpeace continuing to provide advisory support when required.
New book “What Transformation Takes” by Peace Direct, CDA Collaborative Learning and Search for Common Ground, highlights Interpeace’s partnership with CEPAD and the practical steps international actors can take to support the efforts of a locally led organization.
Click here to read book “What Transformation Takes”.
We are honored to welcome Ambassador Nasir A. Andisha, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN in Geneva to Interpeace’s Advisory Council and pleased to announce the appointments of two new members to our Governing Board: Hind Kabawat and Kate Gilmore.
Interpeace’s Advisory Council
The Advisory Council is a high-level statutory body that provides the organization with key strategic advice and guidance on peacebuilding policy and practice. It plays a key role in guiding the organization and serves as a testing ground for developing ideas.
“Our world is facing increased conflicts and tension, hence the efforts for building and sustaining peace have never been more relevant than they are now. I am delighted to join the Interpeace’s Advisory Council composed of esteemed and experienced colleagues and contribute to Interpeace’s much-needed mission,” says Ambassador Andisha. “I particularly welcome the organization’s approach in supporting the international community, states, and organizations to play a more effective role in peacebuilding efforts around the world and in shaping more effective peace processes.”
Dr. Nasir A. Andisha is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN in Geneva. Prior to his appointment as Ambassador, Dr. Andisha served as the Deputy Foreign Minister (2015-2019) and Ambassador of Afghanistan to Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Fiji (2011-2015).
Between 2009-2011, Dr. Andisha served as the Director General of the Fifth Political Division (US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) and from 2006 to 2007 he was the Director of Multilateral Economic Relations and International Financial Institutions. Ambassador Andisha has also worked at the Energy Charter Secretariat in Brussels and served at the Permanent Mission of Afghanistan at the U.N. Headquarters in New York City. Before joining the Foreign Service, he worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross as a field officer in Northern Afghanistan.
Interpeace’s Governing Board
We are also pleased to welcome Hind Kabawat and Kate Gilmore, who have been appointed to join the Governing Board of Interpeace.
Interpeace’s Governing Board is constituted by prominent individuals from the government, international, and business sectors. It is the highest decision-making body of the organization and plays a key role in defining Interpeace’s overall strategy.
Hind Kabawat is the Deputy Head of the Syrian Negotiation Commission’s Office in Geneva, formerly known as the High Negotiations Committee (HNC). In her position at the then HNC, she participated in all eight rounds of the Geneva peace talks on Syria in 2017.
Kabawat also serves as Director of Interfaith Peacebuilding at George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy, and Conflict Resolution (CRDC), where she directs CRDC’s Syria program. She is also a founding member of Tastakel, a women’s center dedicated to using non-violence and dialogue to address the ongoing conflict in Syria.
Until 2015, Kabawat was a Senior Program Officer at the United States Institute of Peace. She formerly served as an advisory board member and consultant for the World Bank and is a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. In 2007, she was named a Peacemaker in Action by the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. In 2009, Kabawat received the Public Diplomacy Award from CRDC at George Mason University.
Kate Gilmore is a former United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. Prior to joining Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Gilmore was Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director for Programmes with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
In previous years, Gilmore worked in a wide range of public sector and NGO positions. These include CEO of Broadmeadows Community Health Service, manager of community care in the Royal Women’s Hospital Australia, where she established Australia’s first Centre Against Sexual Assault and helped establish the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture (Foundation House). She was also National Director of Amnesty International Australia and Executive Deputy Secretary General of Amnesty International.
In Australia, she was granted honorary appointments to provincial and national public policy and law reform processes, including membership of the country’s first National Committee on Violence Against Women.
Their broad expertise in peace, human rights, women’s rights, public policy, and diplomacy will be a valuable addition to Interpeace’s Governing Board and Advisory Council, in order to strengthen our commitment to continue working towards sustainable peace.
