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USIP’s chief peace economist Raymond Gilpin talks to Undersecretary of State Wendy Sherman about the economic, political and social transformations underway in Africa – and how to strengthen the strategic partnerships between African nations and the United States.
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) and Peace Brigades International (PBI), two of the leaders in unarmed civilian protection, present how peacekeeping works without guns, what lessons are being learned, and how this practice can now be brought to scale.
Citizens of fragile and conflict-affected states confront threats to their security and livelihoods on a daily basis. Nearly 1.6 billion people are forced to live in the midst of violence perpetuated by a diverse array of actors - from political extremists to transnational criminal syndicates. Too often these most vulnerable and marginalized are left without a voice in their personal and political future and are denied adequate forums for addressing their grievances. On January 12, 2012 USIP brought together rule of law practitioners from the field and policymakers from Washington, DC to discuss these critical issues.
Marc Sommers discusses his report Dowry and Division: Youth and State Building in South Sudan on Voice of America - South Sudan.
On July 9, 2011 the world bore witness to a historic moment: the birth of the Republic of South Sudan. While citizens across South Sudan will be celebrating their long sought after independence, the new country must deal with a considerable set of obstacles to nation-building. From providing basic services to its citizens, to drafting a new constitution, to maintaining security amid internal and external threats, the new government of South Sudan faces challenges ahead.
On July 9th, 2011 The Republic of South Sudan is scheduled to become the world’s newest country. Yet as southern independence fast approaches, the fragile peace between north and south hangs in the balance. The U.S. Institute of Peace has been involved in Sudan for nearly twenty years working on the ground, advising and collaborating with local organizations to find peaceful solutions to flashpoint issues.
As the world looks to Sudan’s leaders to resolve critical issues before July 9th, the Institute was pleased to host H.E. Lt. General Dr. Riek Machar, vice president of the Government of Southern Sudan. Vice President Machar discussed the current status of relations between Sudan’s north and south, preparations for secession, the political climate in southern Sudan and the role of the international community in the new Republic of South Sudan.
On April 20, 2011 H.E. Dr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the AU Commission, discussed the role that the African Union continues to play in creating peace and establishing security in Africa.
Looking ahead to southern Sudan’s secession and the future of both resulting states, three members of the African Union High Level Implementation Panel (Sudan), former South African President Thabo Mbeki, former Burundian President Pierre Buyoya, and former Nigerian President Abdulsalami Abubakar, discussed the current situation and their efforts to support two peaceful Sudans. This event took place on April 19, 2011.
With preliminary results on Sudan's January referendum expected in early February, and final results coming soon thereafter USIP held a public event, "Perspectives on Sudan's Referendum." Panelists at this event reflected on their experiences in Sudan during the referendum, and then looked forward to the challenges ahead for both northern and southern Sudan. This event took place on February 2, 2011.
USIP and partners from the Rift Valley Institute discussed the findings of their report, “Local Justice in Southern Sudan,” and its implications for judicial policy reform in a post-referendum South. This event took place on November 8, 2010.