The Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding

Emmanuel Matambo

Paterne Auxence Mombe

Chandre Gould

Olusola Isola

Diana Warira

Tasew Tafese Gashaw

Emmaculate Asige Liaga

Francis Kobina Appiah Abebrese

Sharon Anyango Odhiambo

Benjamin Adeniran Aluko

Fredrick Ogenga

François Pazisnewende Kaboré

Maame Esi Eshun

George Boateng

Eunice Mueni Williams

Isaac Ofosu Debrah

Arsène Brice Bado

Getachew Zeru Gebrekidan

Ayodotun Oluwafemi Bobadoye

Rhoda Osei-Afful

Ludovic Lado

Ernest Nti Acheampong

Fana Gebresenbet Erda

Paul Aborampah Mensah

Fritz Nganje

Daniel Kebede

Chinese Migrants Versus Ordinary Zambians: Causes of Tension and Possible Peace Pathways

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar, Emmanuel Matambo, explores Zambia-China relations at the subnational level, focusing on the historical relation between Zambia and China. He highlights the evolution, current state, and emerging tensions in Zambia-China relations at the citizen level.

The Role of Agricultural Extension in Peacebuilding in the Central African Republic

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar, Paterne Mombe, discusses the impact CAR’s conflict has had on agriculture and food security and examines the role of agricultural extension services in peacebuilding in post-conflict countries, with a focus on the Central African Republic (CAR).

Hate Speech and the Challenges of Post-Election Peacebuilding in Nigeria

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar Olusola Isola explores elections-related hate speech in Nigeria in the context of Nigeria’s 2011 and 2015 general elections, and the challenges it poses to peacebuilding post-election. He provides policy recommendations on how Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, civil society organizations and actors, media organizations, and the international community can counter and curtail the practice of hate speech during election periods.

Glimmers of Light: Opportunities for Preventing Violence in South Africa

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar Chandre Gould examines responses to violence prevention in South Africa, focusing on the challenges and shortcomings impacting government efforts. She provides policy recommendations on how the South African government, non-governmental organizations, researchers, and donors can scale-up the effectiveness of violence prevention in South Africa through cross-sectoral collaboration aimed at developing and implementing programs that sustainably address the risk factors for violence.

Making the Dividend Count: Bridging Research and Africa’s Policy Processes

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar Diana Warira examines the role of science communication in policymaking for the demographic dividend. She provides policy recommendations on how demographic dividend researchers and development experts, and African governments and policymakers can foster more effective communications between researchers and policymakers, as well as better facilitate the uptake of evidence-based research to policymakers.

Mitigating Cross-Border Intergroup Conflicts along the Ethiopia-South Sudan Border

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Tasew Tafese Gashaw examines the cross-border intergroup conflict along the porous Ethiopia-South Sudan border. He provides policy recommendations on how regional and international organizations and the governments of South Sudan and Ethiopia can reduce cross-border intergroup conflict and improve the livelihoods of borderland communities.

Narrowing the Gap between Local and International Peacebuilding Efforts in South Sudan

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Emmaculate Asige Liaga examines peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan, focusing on the gap between locally led and international processes. She provides policy recommendations on how the Government of South Sudan, international state actors, and international non-governmental organizations can ensure sustainable peace through peacebuilding projects that include local organizations and communities.

Budgeting for Productivity and Food Security: How Smart Public Spending Can Boost Agricultural Productivity in Ghana

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Francis Kobina Appiah Abebrese examines the current efforts made and challenges in agricultural production and how improved budgetary processes can boost agricultural productivity in Ghana. He provides policy recommendations on how the Ghanaian government and policymakers can improve the budget allocation process to align with agricultural plans in order to boost agricultural productivity.

The Media and Election-Related Violence in Africa: Lessons from Kenya

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Sharon Anyango Odhiambo examines the role the media can play in amplifying hate speech and fueling election-related violence and how neutral reporting can support more peaceful elections. She provides policy recommendations on how the Kenyan government, domestic media organizations, and international partners can best support the development of an independent, neutral, and professional media.

Beyond Material Interventions: Rethinking the Role of Gender, Media, and the Politics of Female Violent Extremism in Kenya

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Scholar Fredrick Ogenga examines the scope of female violent extremism in Kenya, its drivers, and how governments and media organizations can counter it.

Political Finance-Related Corruption and Its Implications for Governance and Peacebuilding in Nigeria

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network for Peacebuilding Benjamin Adeniran Aluko examines the drivers of political finance-related corruption, studies its implications for governance and security, and provides suggestions for countering it.

Deepening Regional Integration in Africa: Maximizing AGOA in ECOWAS for Economic Transformation

In this paper and brief, Southern Voices Network Scholar George Boateng explores how regional integration through the West African economic community ECOWAS can help West African countries leverage regional advantages to become more competitive. He gives policy options for using regional integration to maximizing utilization of AGOA, driving economic transformation, and building peace and security.

Women, Artisanal Mining, and Peacebuilding in Africa: A Call to Action

In this policy brief and research paper, Southern Voices Network Scholar Maame Esi Eshun presents her research and provides policy options on what African governments, international policymakers, and donors can do to empower women artisanal miners to build peace.

Fostering Entrepreneurship and Building Peace Among Youth in Côte d’Ivoire and Beyond

In this paired paper and policy brief, Southern Voices Network Scholar François Pazisnewende Kaboré provides policy options on how entrepreneurship education in Côte d’Ivoire and elsewhere in Africa can strengthen entrepreneurship education and create supportive ecosystems to help create jobs for youth and support peacebuilding.

Opening Up the Demographic Dividend Window in Sub-Saharan Africa: How Did Low-Fertility Countries Do It?

A rapid drop in fertility rates can produce a demographic dividend, which can be a boon to development and economic growth. In this paper and policy brief...

The Importance of Enhancing Civic Education in Post-Conflict Elections

Civic education in post-conflict elections has not received nearly the attention that it deserves, thereby missing the opportunity to consolidate and build on what is often a very fragile peace.

Why Democracy Promoters Must Pay Close Attention to Ghana and Africa’s Other Growing Democracies

Ghana is one of Africa’s most stable democracies. After six successive elections and two transitions from one political party to the other, many observers believe the country’s democracy is close to democratic consolidation, having met the two-turnover test suggested by Huntington (1991).

Tackling the South Sudan Conflict within a Complicated Regional Security Complex

The civil war in South Sudan, characterized by ongoing violence and broken ceasefires, is, for the moment, paused by a tenuous peace agreement. To make it stick, the need for regional mediation and international pressure is greater than ever. In this policy brief, Southern Voices Network Scholar Getachew Zeru Gebrekidan, examines the key role IGAD--a regional group composed of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda--has played in the peace process and recommends greater coordination between IGAD, the U.S., and other key international stakeholders and deeper engagement in the peace process.

Enhancing Gender in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for Sustainable Development in Africa

In this policy brief, Southern Voices Network Scholar Ayodotun Bobadoye discusses the importance of STI on the continent and recommends a coordinated new approach, embodied in the AU's STISA-2024 plan, to kickstart Africa's knowledge economy and capture the unrealized STI potential of African women.

Enhancing Gender in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) for Sustainable Development in Africa

In this policy brief, Southern Voices Network Scholar Ayodotun Bobadoye discusses the importance of STI on the continent and recommends a coordinated new approach, embodied in the AU's STISA-2024 plan, to kickstart Africa's knowledge economy and capture the unrealized STI potential of African women.

Rallying Africa to Embrace and Implement Social Innovation Policies: Lessons from Far and Near

"Sub-Saharan Africa’s tagline as “the next global investment hub” is becoming a cliché. Following a decade of sustained economic growth, averaging between 5 and 6% of annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth (Regional Economic Outlook, 2014) and backed by rich natural resources such as gold, timber, silver, coal and new discoveries of oil in many countries, all indicators are pointing towards a continent with formidable economic prospects. The latest ranking places Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) as the second fastest-growing continent after Asia, with seven of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies located in the region . In fact, SSA is brimming with unprecedented confidence about its future prospects as a global competitor and economic giant."

Women’s Access to Power and Decision-Making in Africa: Addressing Obstacles and Offering Solutions

There is widespread agreement that equal access to power and decision-making for men and women is fundamental to representative and responsive governance. This has been highlighted in governance and development discourses against a background of women’s unequal and limited access to public office. Women’s substantive representation in political positions is crucial to closing the gender gap in decision-making structures. Within Africa, tremendous strides have been made towards improving women’s political inclusion in recent years.

Addressing Religious Violence in sub-Saharan Africa

In addressing the problem of religious violence in sub-Saharan Africa, this policy brief deals with the framework rather than the details of specific countries.

Governing the Horn of Africa’s Lowlands: Land Investments and Villagization in Gambella, Ethiopia

"Since 2001, the Ethiopian government has been committed to building a “developmental state,” one with a strong state-led macro-economic plan, much like that of East Asian countries. After 2005, the developmental agenda took center stage in public discourse. This increasingly dominant discourse frames poverty as an existential threat to Ethiopia’s survival, necessitating its eradication by hastening development at all costs. In recent years, various independent international organizations have agreed that Ethiopia is among the fastest growing economies in the world."

The Hybridization of Security Sector Governance for Peace-Building and State-Building In Somalia

"The collapse of the Somali central government and the ensuing anarchy resulted in major insecurity that compelled the indigenous population to seek alternative means to safeguard its livelihood. This led to the proliferation of non-state security actors, the rise in their legitimacy, and the emergence of hybridized security sector governance. This paper argues for the use of hybridized security governance to consolidate peace and state building in contemporary Somalia and gives insight into how neighboring countries and the international community might support Somali efforts to preserve peace. It suggests that the Somalia Federal Government should decentralize security sector governance and integrate traditional justice remedies and local militias into the governance structure with well-articulated roles and a system of accountability."

Building Peace in the Central African Republic: The Role of Agricultural Extension Services

Fr. Paterne Auxence Mombe, Dr. Jessica Anderson, and Mr. Michel Mbei assess the causes of insecurity in the Central African Republic (CAR) and its impact on agriculture and food security, while giving particular attention to the potential of agricultural extension services to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods while also contributing to peacebuilding.

Africa-China Relations: Causes of Tension and Possible Peace Pathways—A Case Study of Zambia

Dr. Emmanuel Matambo, Dr. Yoon Jung Park, and Dr. Patrick W. Quirk explore Africa-China relations at the state and non-state levels, with a focus on sub-national relations in Zambia.

Glimmers of Light: Opportunities for Preventing Violence in South Africa

On April 10, 2018, the Wilson Center Africa Program hosted an event entitled, “Glimmers of Light: Opportunities for Preventing Violence in South Africa,” and extensive dialogue centered on lessons learned and best practices when addressing violence against women and children from both the South African and U.S. perspectives.

Hate Speech and the Challenges of Post-Election Peacebuilding in Nigeria

Dr. Olusola Isola and Mr. Vasu Mohan outline the issue of hate speech and its challenges for post-election peacebuilding in Nigeria, specifically focusing on its role in election-related violence.

Making the Dividend Count: Bridging the Gap between Demographic Dividend Evidence and Africa’s Policy Process

Ms. Diana Warira, Ms. Alexandra Davis, and Ms. Erin Collinson explore the role evidence-based research plays in promoting good governance and development. strategies and opportunities for stronger and more effective communications between researchers and policymakers.

Cross-Border Intergroup Conflicts in the Horn of Africa: A Case Study of Ethiopia-South Sudan Borderland People

Mr. Tasew Tafese Gashaw, Ms. Varalakshmi Vemur, and Dr. E.J. Hogendoorn explore the relationship between border conflict, resource scarcity, and regional stability, focusing on the Ethiopia-South Sudan border as a case study.

Narrowing the Gap between International and Local Actors in Peacebuilding Efforts in South Sudan

Ms. Emmaculate Asige Liaga, Mr. Mike Jobbins, and Ms. Carrie Gruenloh assess the key factors affecting peacebuilding in South Sudan with a focus on recommendations for improving the effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts through supporting local peacebuilding strategies.

Boosting Agricultural Productivity and Food Security in Africa: A Case Study of Ghana

Mr. Francis Abebrese and Dr. Tewodaj Mogues discuss agricultural productivity and public financing for agriculture in Africa, focusing on Ghana as a case study.

The Media and Election-Related Violence in Africa: Lessons from Kenya

Ms. Sharon Anyango Odhiambo, Mr. John G. Tomaszewski, and Ms. Alison Paul DeSchryver discuss the role of the media during tense elections with a risk of electoral violence.

Political Finance and Corruption in Nigeria

Dr. Benjamin Aluko and Dr. Denise Baer discuss political finance and corruption in Nigeria.

Countering Female Violent Extremism in Kenya: Government and Media Approaches

Dr. Fredrick Ogenga and Dr. Kathleen Kuehnast discuss the issue of female violent extremism in Kenya and beyond.

Education, Entrepreneurship, and Youth Employment in Côte d’Ivoire and Beyond

Dr. François Pazisnewende Kaboré, Ms. Jessica Bagdonis, and Mrs. Himdat Bayusuf examine the important roles entrepreneurship and education play in employing the youth of Côte d’Ivoire.

Women, Artisanal Mining, and Peacebuilding in Africa: A Call to Action

Ms. Maame Esi Eshun, Ms. Cristina Villegas, and Ms. Stephenie Foster examine the role of women artisanal miners in peacebuilding and analyze the intricate overlap between women’s economic empowerment and sustainable conflict resolution.

Maximizing AGOA in West Africa through Regional Integration

Mr. George Boateng, Ms. Lida Fitts, and Ms. Zenia Lewis discuss the value of AGOA for African countries, its potential to help expand regional economic integration, and the obstacles to that integration.

Are Ghanaians Fed-up with Democracy? Institutional Mistrust and Satisfaction with Democracy

Mr. Isaac Debrah and Ms. Kamissa Camara assess Ghanaian perceptions of democracy.

Foreign Electoral Assistance in Post-Conflict Settings: Does it Work?

Mr. Brice Bado and Mr. Rushdi Nackerdien discuss the effectiveness of foreign electoral assistance in post-conflict settings.

Engaging Women for Africa's Future: The Role of Women in Science, Technology, and Innovation

Mr. Bobadoye Ayodotun and Ms. Jennifer Haskell discuss U.S. initiatives to increase women in science, technology, and innovation in Africa.

Beyond Gender Quotas in African Politics: How to Deliver on Women's Issues in Africa

Ms. Rhoda Osei-Afful and Ms. Caroline Hubbard examine issues affecting African women in the political arena, particularly in their efforts to advance women’s interests across the continent.

Religious Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Future of the Secular State

Dr. Ludovic Lado and Ms. Tiffany Lynch examined the growing religious violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and the response from African states, as well as options for US-Africa engagement regarding the current situation with religious conflict.

Land-Grabbing and Villagization in Ethiopia's Lowlands and Beyond

Dr. Fana Gebresenbet discusses the issues of land grabbing and villagization in the Gambella region of Ethiopia.