Countries & Continents
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USIP has been working to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan since 2002 through programs designed to improve understanding of peaceful dispute resolution, advance peace education in schools and communities, enhance dialogue between leading Afghans and the international community, and promote the rule of law. USIP established an office in Kabul in 2008. This on the ground presence has greatly increased USIP's contact with and understanding of events, programs, and attitudes in Afghanistan, and has strengthened its capacity to execute innovative and effective programs in the country. |
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The United States Institute of Peace seeks to support a non-violent transformation of the conflict in Colombia. In the absence of national peace processes, the USIP is supporting initiatives to help create an environment propitious for a political, negotiated solution. |
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USIP works with partners to support civil society efforts geared toward preventing electoral violence in Côte d'Ivoire. |
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo needs help to build governmental capacity, strong governmental institutions, human rights and womens' rights in particular, in order for any reconciliation and rebuilding to take hold after the violence stops. |
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USIP’s goal in Egypt, and in the broader Arab world where similar struggles are now unfolding, is to assist contending groups define practical legal, institutional and constitutional solutions that will promote peaceful democratic change and conflict resolution. |
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USIP has maintained an office in Baghdad since early 2004 and works to promote security and stability at community, regional and national levels. The Iraq program provides opportunities for dialogue among groups who might not ordinarily meet; we have trained and continue to develop a network of Iraqi facilitators; we support the growth of independent nongovernmental organizations, and we work with educators and government officials. |
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In 2009, the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission cited the historic discontent with the role of state institutions as one of the major factors behind Liberia's 14 year civil war, which ended in 2003. Lack of a reliable and appropriate mechanism for resolving disputes through the state justice system helped foster the social, political, and economic marginalization of a majority of the country’s population. USIP's programming in Liberia is centered around improving the citizenry's access to justice - through programs that target not only formal justice institutions, but also local legal practices and perceptions of justice. |
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Nigeria faces a series of critical challenges. Elections are looming for the spring of 2011 and this always generates severe tensions. Pressure will be on the electoral commission and other officials to conduct more credible elections than most previous elections. While violence in the Niger Delta subsided temporarily after an amnesty was declared for rebels in 2009, kidnapping and sabotage of oil installations are on the rise again. The amnesty process suffered several serious shortcomings. Violent conflict between Christians and Muslims in northern Nigeria, and particularly in Plateau State and Bauchi, seems to allude containment. |
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As South Sudan deals with challenges posed by a massive influx of returnees, threats from rebel militia and the north, and the strengthening of state institutions, its people are working towards a more peaceful future. USIP engages on many of these issues - explore our featured analysis and highlights from work in the field. |
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After twenty-six years of civil war, in May 2009 the Government of Sri Lanka announced it had defeated the separatist group the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While Sri Lanka has subsequently entered a post-war stage, it is not yet a post-conflict state. USIP is working with local partners and members of the international community to support efforts to address the root causes of Sri Lanka's conflict in pursuit of a sustainable peace. |