Areas of Work: Post-conflict reconstruction & Development

Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) is a priority area of the African peace and security agenda. Since the transition from the Organisation of the African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU), African leaders have progressively put in place mechanisms and institutions, at regional and continental level, to prevent violent conflict and attend to and resolve those that have already occurred. In each conflict situation the AU and regional organisations continue to make efforts to facilitate negotiations for peaceful resolution and encourage peaceful co-existence.  The result has been a steady decline in the number of active conflicts on the continent.

The risk of resumption of conflict in many situations is high, and a combination of local, regional and international factors create numerous obstacles to successful post-conflict reconstruction. Africa’s future has become increasingly dependent on the continent’s ability to undertake successful PCRD activities that consolidate peace and pave the way for growth and regeneration. In recognition of this imperative, the AU adopted a policy framework for PCRD at its 7th Summit in Banjul, the Gambia in June-July 2006. Pax Africa supported and assisted the AU in developing the policy framework.  

After supporting the African Union throughout the policy process that led to the adoption of the AU Policy on PCRD, Pax Africa continues to engage with the AU, RECs, affected countries and other stakeholders within and outside of Africa in the unpacking and implementation of the policy. This includes the clarification of key concepts and activities such as disarmament, demobilisation, rehabilitation, reintegration and repatriation (DDRRR) and the development of an African science and technology base for PCRD.

Key activities include:

  1. Advising and supporting affected African countries to adapt and implement the AU policy on PCRD at national level.
  2. Supporting the development of a database of African experts on PCRD;
  3. Assisting the AU to develop a strategy for civil society participation in PCRD processes;
  4. Assisting in the development of an AU volunteer programme;

Key documents:
AU Policy on PCRD
Banjul decision
Reports of consultations

Past activities and  achievements:
Pax Africa provided support to the Peace and Security Department of the AU Commission, which led to the adoption of the policy on post-conflict reconstruction and development (PCRD) by the Executive Council at the AU Summit in Banjul, Gambia in June 2006.
Support to the AU took the following forms:

  1. Co-hosted and facilitated the 4th Brainstorming Retreat of the AU Peace and Security Council and other Member States’ Permanent Representatives on PCRD in Durban, South Africa on 4-5 September 2005. 
  2. Participated in and facilitated the Continental Experts meeting on PCRD, on 6-7 February 2006.  This meeting deliberated on all of the principles, constitutive elements and mechanism for the implementation of an AU PCRD policy.
  3. Participated in Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (TICAD) Meeting on PCRD, in February 2006.  This meeting focused on three areas, namely: Security, Political Governance & Transition, Community Reconstruction and Socio-Economic Development.
  4. Participated in and served as a resource person at the AU-CSO meeting on 5-7 April 2006 that reviewed and inputted into the draft Policy Framework on PCRD.
  5. Participated and facilitated AU-CSOs meeting and deliberation on their role in PCRD (April 2006).
  6. Facilitated Continental Governmental Experts meeting on PCRD on 8-9 June 2006. This meeting considered the draft policy document and made recommendations.
  7. Expert facilitation of meeting of the UN-Affiliated University for Peace on PCRD, in June 2006.  This meeting focused on, and jumpstarted the roll-out of one of the critical elements of PCRD.
  8. Led drafting team that finalised draft policy framework, in line with recommendations coming out of the governmental experts meeting. (June 2006).

 

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