“Challenges and prospects of peace and security in the region’.

In his acceptance speech of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, Nelson Mandela avowed that “"We speak here of the challenge of the dichotomies of war and peace, violence and non-violence, racism and human dignity, oppression and repression and liberty and human rights, poverty and freedom from want.” These words holds true of IGADs decisiveness and commitment to eternal peace in the horn of Africa. 

At the Initiative of the African Union (AU), and within the framework of the year of peace and security in Africa, IGAD organized a peace conference dubbed “Challenges and prospects of peace and security in the region’. The reflection session aimed at giving “further drive to efforts to bring an end the scourge of armed conflicts and political crises in the region”.

In attendance were IGAD members; Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda. Scholars from the region, Representative of the African Union, Conflict Early Warning and Response Unit (CEWERU) and heads of member countries, IGAD’s specialized offices and staff of IGAD secretariat were equally not left out. 

The conference adopted the theme “make peace happen in Africa” motivated by the initiatives to make peace happen in Africa in general, and peace and stability in the IGAD region precisely. This was in furtherance of the Tripoli declaration of 31^st August 2009, when the year 2010 was declared the African year of peace made it relevant and timely and further energized the participants.

IGAD Executive secretary, Eng. Mahboub Maalim in his opening statement noted, “This workshop must underscore the need for continued discussions and consultations on how to best tackle the challenges facing peace and security among the states in the IGAD region.” Eng. Maalim adduced that, “the continued fragility of many African states especially within the horn of Africa, suggest that we may continue to witness violent conflicts and severe political upheavals, therefore peace and security remain top of the agenda of African prosperity”.

Indeed, the challenges related to governance and the immediate threats posed by terrorism, drug trafficking, illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, piracy and other associated scourges and the long term challenges arising from these threats and enduring poverty and instability in the region were discussed at length. In perspective, weaker governments are vulnerable to a proliferation of crimes of international and municipal concern hence a critical component of addressing the greater whole of modern day quandaries.

To the extent that a multi-dimensional approach is necessary cannot be gainsaid. Deliberations bordered on the roles that can be played by women, the CSOs, and the media in terms of conflict prevention and resolution and peace building. Affirmatively, neighboring nations that have made head way in mitigating conflicts offer valuable lessons for present and future mechanisms. Inordinately past experiences such as the peace process in Somalia and Sudan, the importance of harnessing indigenous knowledge for conflict prevention and resolution and also institutionalizing mediation efforts in the implementation of the African peace and security threats in the region are feasible. 

Realistically, the continuity and sustainability of this process holds key to realizing tangible gains over time. “In fact, such events can create a common understanding of peace and security issues in the region bearing in mind the achievement of lasting peace on the continent requires closer coordination and consultation at all levels”, Mahboub noted. It was therefore apparent that IGAD considers creating regular forums of the stakeholders that includes the policy makers, the academia, CSOs, Media, practitioners in the area of peace and security, and experienced individuals in mediation efforts in the region for further reflections and exchange of views on common concerns.

Such a consultative forum raised the bar in finding solutions on tackling conflicts. The recommendations reminded delegates of the inherent need and capacity to solve these issues locally. First, IGAD needs to establish a Mediation support Unit and roster of mediators and make necessary efforts to professionalize mediation in the IGAD region. Here, the culture and practice of appointing former heads of state as mediators without considering their capacity to effectively mediate in certain circumstances and warned was acknowledged as impassive. Moreover, this could negatively influence the outcome of mediation efforts.

Secondly, the debate of the Nile water came to the fore. Noting the concern, the anxiety caused by the disagreements over the use of the Nile water and the possibility of escalation of hostilities to the point of armed conflict, the delegates urged IGAD to work together with the Nile Basin Initiative in order to deal with conflicts arising from the shared resource.

Thirdly, firmness and consistency in guaranteeing peace in Somalia and Sudan are valuable assets to IGAD. Delegates urged IGAD to remain engaged in the peace processes in Sudan and Somalia and “take stock of the peace processes particularly in Somalia the view of drawing lessons from repeated efforts and challenges in order to inform existing processes with renewed vigor”.

Fourthly, partnerships between IGAD and AU were discussed as favorable in harmonizing activities related to peace and security. It was therefore central that steps up its efforts to have Eritrea back to the institution. This is seen as the bridging gap to peace in the larger horn of Africa and the world at large.

Fifthly, there was need for IGAD to further reflect on collaborative mechanisms to promote regional approaches for conflict prevention and resolution as they share a common security concern. Accordingly, Ms. Barbara Among, a media expert from Uganda, accentuates that “the best collaborative measures be between the med and local communities. More tangibly, community radio can play a key role in this endeavor. It can easily be used to spread the message of peace guided by the fact that it is controlled by community needs.” It is imperative to ensure these stations are not manipulated to promote negative ethnicity as the case of Kenya in early 2008.

Kenya’s Internal Security Assistant Minister, Hon. Orwa Ojode closed the workshop where he thanked IGAD for choosing Kenya to host the conference and pledged continued support from the government of Kenya in all efforts to enhance peace and security in the region. Ojode appreciated that IGAD has “a pool of mediators and come in handy to compliment peace and security efforts in the region.” It is therefore imperative to commit to the IGAD security strategy 2010-213 with special focus on Sudan and Somalia.