On 19 and 20 August 2011, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) Southern Africa Regional Steering Committee Workshop met in Durban, South Africa, to discuss developments in the Southern African countries, emerging themes, and a strategic plan for the region.
The workshop was conducted as part of ACCORD’s role as the GPPAC Regional Secretariat for the Southern Africa region and was organised to provide a platform for a more active and revitalised Southern Africa GPPAC Regional Steering Committee.
Civil Society Organisations (CSO) presented on the history and current state of conflict in the countries of Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe. The first day of the workshop allowed for a very open discussion on each country and the current and potential issues. The following day was then aimed at identifying emerging themes and developing a strategic plan for the region.
The workshop was a chance to further engage CSOs in the area and work to collaborate more effective around conflict issues within the region. The group is actively working to create a short and long term work plan for the region with focus around electoral violence and early warning response mechanisms. It will also work to engage the Southern African Development Community more effectively in the coming months around these key areas.
ACCORD is actively working to create an information sharing platform that would provide a working space for CSOs throughout the region.
