Peacebuilding after War and Violence – Neighbourhood Matters

Die Bedeutung der regionalen Nachbarschaft wird in wissenschaftlichen und politischen Debatten um Konflikte und Frieden vielfach vernachlässigt. In diesem GIGA Focus Global wird das Konzept regionaler Friedensformationen thematisiert, ein wichtiges Instrument der Analyse regionaler Variation von Akteuren und Konfliktdynamiken.

Despite the loss of its territorial “caliphate” in 2019, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria still poses a daily threat. To account for the resurgence of IS, we need to look at its dynamism, in addition to the domestic and regional complexities that facilitate its persistence in Iraq and Syria.

In Sudan’s protracted war, Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo’s Rapid Support Forces outmanoeuvred Abdelfattah Al-Burhan’s Armed Forces through sabotage, new weapons, and broader networks. But as regional actors and local militia hijack the war’s original power-struggle, frontlines and command chains shattered.

Non-state armed actors come in a variety of shapes including warlord-led groups. In war or lower-level armed conflict, and violence-prone contexts, these groups pose severe problems to peacebuilding, democratic governance, and sustainable development. This trend analysis maps cross-regional developments.

The asasination of Ecuadorian presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio becomes part of Latin America's search for security policies to confront organised crime. Two models are pursued: El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele opts for extreme repression while Colombian President Gustavo Petro favours talks for disarmament.

President Nayib Bukele has imposed a state of emergency for 30 days as El Salvador grapples with a sudden increase in slayings. Could an alleged soured pact between the government and notorious gangs be the reason? 

Neighbours, regional organisations and networks of different actors play an important role for conflict dynamics. They can either promote peacebuilding or the prolongation and escalation of violent conflicts. The infographic illustrates this.

Development policy plays a crucial role in addressing global as well as African challenges. The authors of this GIGA Focus Africa expect the future German Federal Government to ensure coherence in development policy and joint action by the foreign, economic and environment ministries.

Die Bedeutung der regionalen Nachbarschaft wird in wissenschaftlichen und politischen Debatten um Konflikte und Frieden vielfach vernachlässigt. In diesem GIGA Focus Global wird das Konzept regionaler Friedensformationen thematisiert, ein wichtiges Instrument der Analyse regionaler Variation von Akteuren und Konfliktdynamiken.

Despite the loss of its territorial “caliphate” in 2019, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria still poses a daily threat. To account for the resurgence of IS, we need to look at its dynamism, in addition to the domestic and regional complexities that facilitate its persistence in Iraq and Syria.