Archives 2023

Researchers, policy makers, diplomats, scholars and political leaders from the COMESA region and beyond have called for in depth research into causes of conflict and re-assessment of the current interventions in order to address some of the ongoing geopolitical dynamics in Africa and the world.

This call was made during the inaugural conference to dissect the multiple crises and geopolitical divides that are redefining international relations and diplomacy in the world today.

The conference was organized by the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) with support from COMESA Secretariat and the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD).

Stakeholders from the key sectors in peace and security met from 25 – 27 October in Nairobi Kenya to discuss and make recommendations to address the multiple crises and unprecedented geopolitical changes that have far-reaching implications on future growth and development for the COMESA region and Africa as a whole.

Speaking on behalf of COMESA Secretariat, the Head of Governance, Peace and Security Unit Ms Elizabeth Mutunga described the conference as significantly important to the regional bloc whose programme on peace and security is a product of policy research.

“Whether it is conflict prevention, conflict management or post conflict reconstruction, our programmes have mostly been guided by research and upon assessment of the interventions by other RECs, COMESA has carved its niche around the economic dimensions of conflict,” Ms Mutunga said.

Sha added that the current global environment has manifested in an increase of terrorism and violent extremism for the region and continent, including a rise in unconstitutional changes of governments, hence it is time again to reassess existing interventions to establish if they are fit for purpose.

Delegates hailed the conference as timely in the wake of the current conflicts in the middle east, the aftermath of the COVID-19 and the Ukraine war all of which have negative impacts. The effects of climate change were also discussed as contributing to the complexity of the already complex situations in the world.

Keynote speakers at the hybrid meeting included former COMESA Secretary General Amb. Erastus Mwencha in his capacity as Chairperson African Capacity Building Foundation, H.E. Anthony Okara, Special Amb. African Leaders Malaria Alliance and Dr Vasu Gounden Executive Director of ACCORD.

Others were Ms Rose Makena Permanent Representative of Kenya to the United Nations Office at Nairobi and UNEP. The Swedish ambassador to Kenya H.E. Ms Caroline Vicini and Ms Betty Sungura-Nyabuto National Gender and Equality Commission Chief Executive Officer also spoke at the grand events.

Across the expansive canvas of Africa, a vibrant wave of untapped potential surges forth through the continent’s dynamic youth. With a significant demographic of young individuals, Africa stands poised to redefine its trajectory towards prosperity. Despite grappling with armed conflicts and political upheaval, the introduction of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) holds promise for regional nations, offering a gateway to global economic integration, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development.

The resounding success of the second Intergenerational Dialogue (IGD) in Lusaka, Zambia which was held on October 16 – 18, 2023, stands as a testament to the fervor and commitment of over 50 youth from Zambia and more than 20 young leaders from diverse corners of Africa. Their impassioned voices echoed a collective aspiration to witness tangible transformations on the continent, particularly in the context of peace and security, as integral elements propelling the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.

At its core, AfCFTA seeks to forge a unified continental marketplace for goods and services, fostering the free flow of commerce, investment, and skilled professionals in a peaceful manner. This monumental initiative aims to generate additional avenues for employment while amplifying the role of youth in political and economic spheres. As we approach the fifth anniversary of the AfCFTA agreement, a pressing need emerges to advance its operationalization, scrutinizing its impact on diverse demographics, with a keen focus on the youth across various sectors and nations.

The indispensable role of the youth, often underestimated and marginalized, is pivotal in driving social and economic progress under AfCFTA. Africa, blessed with an expansive and youthful population, holds a unique asset and competitive edge. Empowered with education, skills, and access to opportunities, African youth are poised to spearhead economic development and spearhead the actualization of AfCFTA’s transformative potential.

The implementation of AfCFTA has already spurred youth-led initiatives across sectors such as agriculture, financial technology, information technology, and creative industries. This surge of youth-driven entrepreneurship aligns seamlessly with the ethos of the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda, rewriting the narrative of youth from potential instigators of conflict to active contributors to peace and socioeconomic advancement.

Regional Economic Communities (RECs) serve as linchpins in catalyzing these initiatives, offering mentorship, advocating for streamlined policies, and incubating young ventures. Through strategic partnerships, innovative endeavors, and a collective commitment to sustainable progress, RECs chart the course towards a more promising and resilient Africa. Together, we embark on a journey towards a future where Africa’s youth steer enduring advancements and prosperity.

To materialize this vision of an inclusive, peaceful, innovative, and sustainable future, it is imperative that Regional Economic Communities (RECs) prioritize initiatives tailored to the needs and aspirations of the youth. This encompasses the establishment of specialized hubs and programs led by young trailblazers, focusing on climate mitigation, entrepreneurship, and trade facilitation. These dynamic environments will foster collaboration, facilitate learning, and ignite innovative endeavors.

Moreover, the implementation of multi-stakeholder workshops, innovation challenges, and capacity-building programs will nurture creativity and equip young entrepreneurs with vital skills. Tailored incubation and mentorship programs will provide invaluable guidance and resources, while advocacy platforms will empower them to shape policy decisions. By forging collaborative ties with educational institutions and facilitating cross-border trade, RECs hold the potential to cultivate an environment conducive to sustainable economic development.

Furthermore, directing resources towards eco-friendly technologies, championing youth as active contributors to peacebuilding, and ensuring financial accessibility will further fortify and accelerate their entrepreneurial pursuits. Rigorous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms will ensure that these initiatives yield substantial and lasting impact, ultimately enhancing the prosperity and resilience of the continent.

By Mary-Yvonne Ododah
The author is the Chief Operations Officer at Epuka Ugaidi Organization which partnered with COMESA in holding the 2^nd IGN.
Email:info@epukaugaidi.com

For decades, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region continues to experience a myriad of crises and challenges that have far-reaching implications on its growth and development. The simultaneous occurrence of several catastrophic and disastrous events relates to among others conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, economic meltdowns, environment, migrations, globalization, and humanitarian emergencies. In addition, extra-regional interests (geo-strategic) and competition continue to contribute significantly (either negative or positive) to the nature of the political, economic, and security architecture in the region. A combination of these factors has led to the development of fluid inter-state and diplomatic relations among and between the regional states with far-reaching consequences on the present and future of peace, security, regional integration and development in the sub-region. It is against this background, this year’s IRSK annual conference is focused on ‘International Relations and Diplomacy in an Era of Polycrisis and Geo-Strategic Competition in the COMESA Region.’

A plethora of theoretical, conceptual and practical perspectives underlie the implications of the different developments on international and diplomatic relations within COMESA. The nature and form of inter-state and diplomatic relations has implications on the peace, security, stability and development of the region. It is therefore important to critically analyse and succinctly capture the implications of the complexity brought about by these factors influencing interstate and diplomatic relations in the subregion. The central theoretical assumption guiding the conference theme is that through a combination of a variety of theories and methodological instruments, we would be able to understand, explain and analyse the causes and consequences of the complex relations that exist among and between states in the COMESA region. It means eclectic and multidisciplinary approaches are important to analyse these factors and their implications for regional peace, security, stability, integration and development. In addition, plausible policy suggestions will be made on how to promote peace, security, stability, integration and development in the sub-region. Effective and sustainable solutions to these crises and challenges require a deep understanding of the issues, approaches, mechanisms, dynamics, and methodologies.

In this regard, the conference aims to address three distinct but inter-related questions i) How are the various political, economic, and security developments taking place globally and regionally affecting interstate and diplomatic relations in the COMESA region; ii) What should collectively or individually be done to ensure that states, regional organizations and mechanisms are able to deal with any would-be negative implication of these developments to promote peace, security, stability and development. iii) What are the consequences and/or implications of a failure to effectively address these challenges?

Based on the three questions above, the conference will critically interrogate theoretical, conceptual and methodological instruments adopted to deal with these crises and challenges and policies needed. These are to be embedded in elaborate, innovative, and empirical examination in order to spur academic and policy discourse.

Click on the link below for more details.

IRSK Annual Conference – Call for Abstracts

East African Countries

Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

Peace and security dynamics in East Africa

• Geopolitically, East Africa is part of at least two interlinked regional security complexes: the Horn of Africa and the African Great Lakes complex. This fact sheet will consider influences of both complexes in the sub-region, with the implication that some conflicts will span beyond member states of the EAC to others constituting the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.
• Two of the five least safe and most insecure countries in the world are from eastern African: Somalia and South Sudan.
• Somalia since 1991-devasting for both national and regional security and has become a safe haven for international terrorism
• Kenya-since return to multi-partyism in 1992-ethnic violence in electoral years coupled with rise of criminal gangs-Mungiki, SLDF, MRC, numerous militias.
• Rwanda-Genocide and the after effect.
• Burundi-Ethnic rivalries
• South Sudan – Ethnic and Leadership rivalries
•  In Eastern Africa, the major terrorist threat derives from the salafi-jihadist organisation al-Shabaab, which functions primarily out of Somalia. Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda and Burundi have been directly involved in trying to counter the organization.
• There was a coup in Sudan in April 2019 and failed remote insurrections that triggered inter- and intra-ethnic tensions in Ethiopia in June 2019 and South Sudan in December 2013.
• There have been varying degrees of civil strife in Kenya (in 2013 and 2017) and Uganda, led by youthful Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine. In Burundi, the late former president Pierre Nkurunziza’s decision in April 2015 to run for a third term led to a failed coup in May 2015 and long-running civil strife.
• In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) there has been political volatility and fighting in the eastern regions for over two decades.
  

Eastern Africa’s peace and security structures 

• Eastern Africa is home to two key regional economic communities (RECs).

          -The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD)
          – The Eastern African Community (EAC) Eastern

• African Standby Force Secretariat (EASFSEC)

Youth in East Africa

• East Africa has one of the youngest populations in the world. With such a large population of young people, supportive policies and programs on inclusive youth development are critical now more than ever.
• A majority of the youth-led organisations operate with limited funding, with 49% operating under USD 5,000 per annum and only 11% over USD 100,000
• Youth believe their main strength and motivation is in working with peers for a common vision of preventing violence and promoting peace in communities. This peer to peer trust is confirmed by a recent study, which reports that 60% of young people see peers as highly credible.
• Youth-led organisations are applying different skills to overcome funding challenges by finding alternative sources such as through their members, crowd funding, donations and in-kind support. Some push for visibility by participating in and actively joining local, national and international networks and social media. Others solicit funding through traditional sources such as through institutional donor proposals, partnership with CSOs, media houses (radios, TV), and others.
• A recent study showed that youth-led organisations partnering with civil society members helps pool limited resources.
• It is primarily Governments and political leaders who seek to mobilize, and often to manipulate, the role and function of youth for political ends. Research findings indicate that such stereotypes are also widely sustained and reinforced by the media.
• Partnerships are consistently highlighted by young people and their organisations as a key priority and means for expanding their impact in peacebuilding.
• The climate of mistrust is deeply entrenched in the region, and even if moving towards the same agenda, this mistrust has also been present between young people and the government.

Click on the link below to download the factsheet

• East African Factsheet