The African Post-Conflict Reconstruction Policy Framework, developed by the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) aims to ensure that the peace, security, humanitarian and development dimensions of African post-conflict reconstruction systems should be directed towards a common objective. In this context, this paper published by the German Development Institute examines the challenges facing post-conflict reconstruction systems in Africa, focusing on the new interfaces between security and development. The paper finds that a more coherent post-conflict reconstruction strategy is required.
Post-conflict reconstruction is a complex system of simultaneous short-, medium- and long term programmes to prevent disputes from escalating, avoid a relapse into violent conflict and to build and consolidate sustainable peace. Post-conflict reconstruction starts when hostilities end, usually after a ceasefire or peace agreement. The ultimate aim is to address the root causes of a conflict and to lay the foundations for social justice and sustainable peace. Post-conflict reconstruction requires a coherent and coordinated multidimensional response by a broad range of internal and external actors, including government, civil society, the private sector and international agencies. These actors undertake a variety of inter-related programmes covering security, political, socio-economic and reconciliation issues.
Most post-conflict reconstruction systems proceed through three broad phases: emergency, transition and development. These phases are not absolute, time-bound or with clear boundaries. Within these phases, there are five main dimensions: security; political transition, governance and participation; socio-economic development; human rights, justice and reconciliation; and coordination, management and resource mobilisation.
- Each phase involves different activities. For instance, humanitarian relief is critical in the emergency phase.
- All five dimensions are interlinked and need to be programmed simultaneously, collectively and cumulatively.
- Coordination, management and resource mobilisation are cross-cutting functions. They are critical for successful implementation of all the dimensions and the coherence of the overall post-conflict reconstruction system. However, there is no agreement on the role of coordination.
- A major focus of reconstruction systems is on the links between development, peace and security. However, there is a lack of coherence between humanitarian relief and development programmes and peace and security programmes. There is also policy tension between the goals of economic efficiency and political stability.
The analysis suggests that a more coherent post-conflict reconstruction system in Africa is required. It is necessary to develop a clearly articulated overall post-conflict reconstruction strategy against which individual programmes can benchmark their own plans and progress. Developing a clear role for coordination is also critical.
- The strategic planning and funding processes of the different dimensions should be brought together within an overall strategy. The political, security, humanitarian and development aspects should be synchronised and coordinated.
- The reconstruction system should be linked to a monitoring and evaluation system. This will allow various dimensions, sectors and programmes of the post conflict reconstruction to adjust their plans according to the progress or setbacks experienced elsewhere.
- The unique nature of each conflict system in each country in terms of its particular socio-economic and political history, the root causes, immediate consequences of the conflict and key actors needs to be recognised.
