How can the coordination of African peacebuilding initiatives be improved? This occasional paper from the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes includes case studies from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan and Liberia. There is much scope for coordination to be improved, particularly among local, internal actors who do not own their national peacebuilding frameworks. Peacebuilding coordination is currently too donor driven.
Multiple actors are engaged in peacebuilding activity in post-conflict countries. These include international, external actors, such as international NGOs, donor governments and UN agencies. There are also a range of internal actors, such as government officials, local administrations and civil society organisations. Each of these actors have different styles of operation, resourcing, objectives and strategies. Coordination of these varied groups is therefore not easy, but is vital to prevent duplication, enable resource pooling and enhance effectiveness.
Although experience varies across the three case study countries, peacebuilding coordination was generally found to be ‘ad hoc’, reactive and sectoral, rather than well-planned, proactive, coordinated and holistic. Coordination must be improved, particularly amongst internal actors, and between internal and external actors. The following were found to be common challenges across DRC, South Sudan and Liberia:
- Peacebuilding coordination structures are largely driven by external actors. Internal actors appear unable to absorb, take ownership of and drive peacebuilding structures and activities.
- Peacebuilding coordination amongst external actors is comparatively high, but is much lower between internal actors.
- There is a need for dedicated peacebuilding structures that focus on coordination and monitoring of peacebuilding activities.
- Not all actors feel fully included within national peacebuilding frameworks.
- In some cases actors prefer not to engage in coordination in order to preserve their independence and impartiality.
- Peacebuilding structures are most effective when they are able to react to threats but also to engage proactively with other actors under a shared national vision.
There is an urgent need to improve the coordination of all peacebuilding actors and to build common strategies across the UN system, governments and civil society. The international peacebuilding community should:
- Focus on developing the capacity of local, internal actors to coordinate their activities, for example via training on conflict resolution, security sector reform and participation.
- Become more aware of the needs of internal actors and ensure that they provide them with the space and skills to drive peacebuilding processes.
- Create formal coordinating or steering mechanisms that bring all actors together, allow for information sharing and provide clarity on roles and responsibilities.
- Ensure flexibility is built into coordination structures to accommodate those who wish to opt in or out at different stages.
