Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence in the Sahel-Sahara: Third Regional Conversations
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Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence in the Sahel-Sahara: Third Regional Conversations SEPTEMBER 2018 Introduction Regional security responses to violent extremism in the Sahel-Sahara are necessary, but have been limited in their scope and efficacy. This is in part because they have historically addressed the symptoms of violence rather than the holistic range of factors that incite and foster it. Violence and violent extremism are complex phenomena that vary from one region to another and demand contextually specific solutions. In order to transform the conditions deemed conducive to violent extremism, regional players at every level must On June 24 and 25, 2018, the third commit to serious investment in peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence. Regional Conversations on the Prevention of Violent Extremism in The ongoing need for a forum for exchanging ideas and developing the Sahel-Sahara took place in multilateral approaches to violence prevention in the Sahel-Sahara motivated Algiers, Algeria. This event was co- the International Peace Institute (IPI), the United Nations Office for West organized by IPI, the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign (UNOWAS), the Swiss Federal Affairs (FDFA), and the African Union’s African Centre for the Study and Department of Foreign Affairs Research of Terrorism (ACSRT) to organize the third round of Regional (FDFA), and the African Union’s Conversations for the Prevention of Violent Extremism, with support from African Centre for the Study and the government of Algeria. This meeting was officially opened by the Algerian Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), with support from the government minister of foreign affairs and brought together more than seventy experts and of Algeria. The Algiers conversa - practitioners from North, West, and Central Africa: representatives of govern - tions followed up on discussions ments and defense and security forces; political, religious, and traditional held in Dakar in June 2016 and authorities; members of civil society; representatives of the media and cultural N’Djamena in June 2017 and built institutions; and representatives of regional and international organizations upon a precursor seminar held in Tunis in November 2015. and partners. Participants agreed that violent extremism is on the rise, a reality that should motivate those in power to find effective solutions. Substantive preparations for the Algiers meeting were made by a The Regional Conversations were introduced in 2016 in conjunction with committee made up of representa - the Plan of Action to Prevent Violent Extremism launched by the secretary- tives from each partner organiza - general of the United Nations. The plan called for “a comprehensive tion. This summary report was approach, to include not only essential security-based measures to combat written by Aïssata Athie of IPI, on terrorism, but also systematic prevention measures that directly address the behalf of the partner organizations 1 and with their support. The report causes of violent extremism.” Prioritizing a regional focus and diverse parti - reflects the rapporteur’s interpreta - cipant perspectives, with an emphasis on dialogue, this initiative provides a tion of the conversations and is not forum for discussing the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) and connects necessarily representative of the actors from varied backgrounds and initiatives representing concrete, opinions of all participants. programmatic alternatives to violent extremism. IPI would like to acknowledge its The Algiers conversations began with an analysis of factors driving violent generous donors and partners, whose support and collaboration make publications such as this possible. In particular, IPI would like 1 UN General Assembly, Plan of Action of the Secretary General of the United Nations for the Prevention of Violent to thank the Swiss Confederation. Extremism , UN Doc. A/70/674, December 24, 2015. 2 MEETING NOTE extremism. Participants then addressed factors that agreed that the family should be teaching societal contribute to resilience and positive peace. Finally, values and functioning as an early-warning system, they shared violence-prevention measures taken by some mentioned an “abdication of parental different regional actors in order to “turn the tide” responsibility” and a lack of oversight and supervi - and exit the cycle of violence. The conversations sion. Participants expressed concerns that parents were guided by the need to produce concrete often have to pull their children from school, feel recommendations by and for practitioners in the helpless to provide them resources or hope for a region, based on themes identified during previous bright future, or actively encourage them to join conversations: state-society relations; political violent causes. participation; inclusive dialogue as a transforma - Participants likewise noted the loss of traditional tive tool; cross-border socioeconomic and political customs and practices that have long defended dynamics; the role of media in prevention efforts; against the rhetoric of hatred and violence. This the contribution of defense and security forces; and has, in some cases, led to communities losing their the potential for culture, education, and citizenship social and political influence. What is more, to be used as tools for prevention. nomadic groups and displacement exacerbated by climate change in the Sahel-Sahara have prompted The Need for a Multi - the emergence of tensions between communities. dimensional, Inclusive, This is especially the case in the central regions of Dialogue-Based Solution Mali and Niger, where conflicts between nomadic herders and sedentary farmers have multiplied. These inter-community tensions are exploited by Security responses to violent extremism in the militias, armed groups, and states to exert control; Sahel-Sahara, though sometimes necessary, have some people say, “The terrorists aren’t terrorizing limitations; this transnational threat requires a us; our own government and the militias are.” holistic and comprehensive solution that goes Participants recommended encouraging conflict beyond military action. A multidimensional resolution through peaceful, community-level approach is necessary in view of the different dialogue and the involvement of traditional factors that incite violent extremism. Religion, leaders. often viewed as the primary factor, is just one element among many. Other factors that should be The persistent and deepening gap between rich considered in order to understand and respond to and poor can also lead citizens to reject the state root causes are political, social, and economic and its institutions. This is particularly true during injustice; impunity; desire for revenge; community periods of political transition or in cross-border insecurity; poverty; unemployment (especially areas far from administrative centers and capitals, among young people); poor governance; corrup - where the state struggles to maintain a presence tion; marginalization and feelings of exclusion; and populations have difficulty accessing basic identity crises; violent regime changes; and services (especially security services). When the resurgence of prior poorly resolved conflicts. state fails to ensure the population’s security or curb its own armed forces’ abuses, violent The erosion of public institutions has affected extremist groups can present themselves as alterna - society’s capacity to deal with violence. Corruption, tives and gain support by promising or providing poor governance, and lack of transparency cast security, justice, social services, or economic doubt on the legitimacy of the state and its institu - stability. In Libya, for example, violent extremist tions. For example, citizens lose trust in their groups used the fall of Muammar Qaddafi’s regime justice system if it is difficult to access and to create and multiply cross-border alliances. perceived as biased. Instead of investing in institu - tions capable of addressing the root of the problem, In the face of these diverse challenges, partici - governments often concentrate resources in the pants emphasized the urgent need for a multi - security sector to respond to short-term threats. dimensional response that involves all sectors of society. Recognizing that state structures and The family, as an institution, is also struggling to actions are necessary but insufficient, the whole of defend itself against indoctrination and recruit - society—political actors, opinion leaders, defense ment of young people. While participants generally Investing in Peace and the Prevention of Violence in the Sahel-Sahara 3 and security forces, educators, women, youth, to implement Security Council Resolution 1325 families, religious and traditional leaders, generated a dialogue between the government and communities, media, civil society, cultural leaders, civil society; this resulted in the adoption of a and researchers—must be involved as key actors in framework law to protect women and support PVE. Such a response should be presided over by a women’s participation in the military, politics, and firm, visible, and inclusive national government. the economy. In Algeria and Morocco, “mourchi - Finally, participants re-emphasized the need for dates” (Muslim women preachers and religious dialogue in changing the approach to PVE. assistants) work alongside their counterparts who Dialogue can happen