Conflict & Resilience Monitor – 29 July 2024

The term “Humanitarian Action” generally refers to the various initiatives undertaken by state or non-state actors with the ultimate goal of urgently saving lives or alleviating the suffering of populations following the occurrence of a natural crisis or one of human origin. This assistance can take the form of food, medicine, shelter or protection for populations in situations of extreme need, whether due to natural disasters or anthropogenic causes such as armed conflicts or violence.

Since the announcement of the withdrawal of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission in Mozambique (SAMIM) from Cabo Delgado province, there have been various criticisms about the effectiveness and drawdown of intervention. Some have called the withdrawal premature; some have labelled it a regional failure and others have questioned SADC’s competence while accusing it of turning away from a terrorist threat on its doorstep. The criticisms reached a crescendo recently with the resurgence of terror attacks in the area. However, what the critics miss is hidden in plain sight – the conduct of host country Mozambique. The host country will play a decisive role in a return to peace in Cabo Delgado.

By many accounts, the most prominent international peacebuilding model is increasingly becoming unviable. Developed in the 1990s and 2000s, the “liberal peacebuilding” model (as it is commonly called) is being questioned, updated, and challenged, though its staying power has persisted, due to the continued contributions of international aid agencies and joint funding initiatives that come through multilateral institutions like the United Nations (UN). However, in recent years there has been a scaling down of funding from donors who have traditionally supported liberal peacebuilding, as changing geopolitics has shifted their priorities to defence and security sectors. At the same time, large-scale challenges such as migration and forced displacement, demographic changes, urbanization, and digital technologies are raising questions among peacebuilders as to how these can be addressed through social cohesion and community-centred actions.

We often talk about conflicts or peace processes being complex, but what does that actually mean? What insights can we gain from the study of complex systems for the design of mediation and peace processes? Our societies are not like a bridge that can be built, or a machine that can be fixed, or a rocket that can be sent into space again and again with the same result. And yet, for far too long, mediators and peacebuilders have relied on engineering type linear causal theories of change when they have attempted to design peace processes.

The rapid advancement of technology has had a profound impact on global security dynamics, with Africa being no exception. The increase in internet connectivity across Africa has facilitated economic growth and improved access to information sharing, however, it has also led to a significant rise in cyber-related crimes. These activities can disrupt critical infrastructure and financial systems, undermining security, stability, and government operations. Investment in cybersecurity technologies and expertise is crucial in protecting against cyber threats. Robust cybersecurity measures can safeguard critical systems, sensitive data, and national interests from cyber-attacks.