Introduction
Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Development (PCRD) and peacebuilding are some of the most important challenges facing African countries emerging from conflicts. As the AU continues to make progress in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, the imperative for comprehensive and integrated actions and plans for the recovery, reconstruction and development of societies recovering from conflicts becomes paramount.
The AU PCRD Policy (2006) is the AU’s main entry point in peacebuilding matters, being the authoritative policy that addresses the needs of communities emerging from conflicts and supports the process of sustaining peace. Guided by the Executive Council Decision EX.CL/191 (VII) of July 2005, it was drafted with the intention to assist African countries in the process of consolidating peace and preventing a relapse into conflicts down the road. The AU PCRD Policy is underpinned by five core principles namely; African leadership, national and local ownership, inclusiveness, equity and non-discrimination, cooperation and cohesion, and capacity building for sustainability. The five core principles embody the fundamental values and standards that underpin all PCRD processes and activities so as to ensure that PCRD activities address the root causes of conflict, contribute to the creation of sustainable peace, social justice, renewal and participatory governance.
Ten years after its establishment, the AU PCRD policy framework is embedded within a wider context of the AU’s support to Africa’s strategic vision. The AU’s ad hoc experience in different situations has highlighted the need to address PCRD as part of a holistic process, with activities ranging from conflict prevention, management and resolution, peace support operations, reconciliation, reconstruction and beyond.
Workshop Objectives and Outputs
The workshop objectives were to provide a platform for participants—representatives of the AUC, Regional Economic Communities/ Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Private Sector, Media and the Academia to reflect on lessons learned, and deliberate on the way forward as well as facilitate discussions to guide the development of a common strategic plan for the accelerated implementation of the AU PCRD Policy.
A key outcome of the workshop was a joint understanding among all participating parties of practical PCRD measures implemented during the last ten years with a comprehensive analysis of key areas of achievement, best practices and lessons learned. It also identified emerging challenges and new threats, but also opportunities and innovative approaches offered by the evolving African peacebuilding environment. Participants also agreed on measures to support the development of appropriate capacity building and organisational transformation strategy of the AU, RECs/ RMs and Member States for more effective peacebuilding and PCRD implementation.