Washington D.C. - The Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) hosted a session at the World Bank’s Fragility Forum, titled, “Navigating the Transition out of Protracted Conflict: Learning from FCV Contexts”, which took place on 29 February 2024.
The session brought together a number of prominent speakers, featuring Mr. Mahamat Assouyouti, Minister of Economy of the State of Chad, Ms. Duška Jurišić, Deputy Minister of Human Rights and Refugees of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed, Permanent Observer of the African Union to the United Nations in New York, Ms. Hodan Osman, Senior Policy Adviser to the Somali President and Mr. Habib Ur Rehman Mayer, Deputy General Secretary g7+. The panel was moderated by Ambassador Ahmed Abdel-Latif, Director-General of CCCPA and Executive Director of the Aswan Forum on Sustainable Peace & Development.
At the outset, Ambassador Abdel-Latif highlighted that interconnected crises further complicate the protracted nature of conflict, emphasizing the necessity to address immediate FCV related crises - while drawing on lessons learned and progress achieved by countries that successfully transitioned out of prolonged conflict and instability; informing efforts in different FCVs settings. He further indicated that the deliberations of the panel will feed into the discussions and outcomes of the Fourth Edition of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development.
On his part, Minister Assouyouti, highlighted that moving forward with political transition, scaling up efforts to enhance education and health, and diversifying the economy played a crucial role in Chad’s trajectory out of fragility. He further emphasized the urgent need to mobilize greater funding to tackle climate change and IDPs in FCV contexts. “Development partners need to avoid fragmentation and duplication of efforts while working within national development plans”, he added.
Ms. Jurišić emphasized the importance of strengthening state institutions, as well as civil society to achieve long-term reconciliation and stability. She further stressed the need to prioritize education, while reinforcing the role of media in shaping positive narratives and promoting constructive dialogue. “It is critical for international community to remain engaged and invest more in prevention efforts”, she underscored.
From her side, Ambassador Fatima shed light on the African Union Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy (PCRD) and the role of the newly established AU PCRD Center, as an operational arm to implement the policy. She further indicated that there is a need to “ensure that policies and resolutions are not an end goal, but rather a means to achieve objectives and break silos". Ambassador Fatima also emphasized the urgent need to advance holistic responses, and strengthen national ownership in different peacebuilding interventions.
Dr. Hodan Osman underlined the need to build strong state institutions to ensure that fragile states are able to deliver. She further called upon partners to “not wait for the perfect environment to engage,” stressing on the importance for partners to take more risks in FCV contexts, and invest in lasting and sustainable outcomes”.
On his end, Mr. Rehman Mayar highlighted the necessity of addressing fragility comprehensively and effectively, while taking into account its multi-dimensional nature. He further emphasized that the only way to address fragility, once and for all, is to tackle the root causes of conflicts and pursue peace and stability. “There is need for more humility from actors engaging in FCVs” he added – while reflecting on the war in Gaza, which has resulted tremendous loss of lives and a dire humanitarian situation, stressing the urgency to intensify diplomatic efforts to stop the war.
In conclusion, the session provided valuable insights and put forth key lessons and recommendations for fostering successful transitions out of protracted conflict, including the need to scale up state building efforts and advance holistic responses across the peace continuum, in line with the Conclusions of the Aswan Forum on Sustainable Peace and Development.
