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3411. Who's Fighting Whom in Tripoli: How the 2019 Civil War is Transforming Libya's Military Landscape

Author:
Wolfram Lacher
Publication Date:
08-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Small Arms Survey
Abstract:
Khalifa Haftar’s offensive to take Tripoli, Libya’s capital and largest city, has stalled. Launched in April 2019, the campaign has triggered the largest mobilization of fighters in western Libya since the revolution of 2011. It has also provoked new rifts within and between communities, and is preparing the ground for future political struggles. Who is Fighting Whom in Tripoli: How the 2019 Civil War is Transforming Libya’s Military Landscape—a Briefing Paper from the Small Arms Survey’s Security Assessment in North Africa (SANA) project—examines the identities and interests of the forces fighting each other over control of Tripoli. It shows that the divides of 2011 are central in structuring the two opposing alliances and in shaping the motivations of many involved in the war.
Topic:
Security, Civil War, Alliance, and Conflict
Political Geography:
Libya and North Africa

3412. Preventing Diversion: Comparing ATT and African Measures for Importing States

Author:
Paul Holtom and Benjamin Jongleux
Publication Date:
08-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Small Arms Survey
Abstract:
The diversion of conventional arms from licit to illicit entities can occur at any stage of the arms transfer chain. Preventing diversion therefore requires varied measures that effectively tackle the issue along the chain. The Arms Trade Treaty Working Group on Effective Treaty Implementation (WGETI) compiled a paper on such prevention measures, which relied heavily on the experiences of major exporting states. Several African sub-regional instruments contain measures to prevent and detect diversion for states that are not major exporters. This Small Arms Survey Briefing Paper compares diversion prevention measures for importing states as identified in the WGETI paper and African sub-regional measures. It finds that the African instruments lack articles on post-delivery cooperation with the exporting state, compliance with assurances on re-export or retransfer, in addition to measures to address identified cases of diversion. However, it also finds that these instruments contain prevention measures that are not in the WGETI paper, including provisions on modes of transport and official entry points. Incorporating experiences from ATT states parties from Africa can help inform discussions on the role of importing states to prevent diversion.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, Regulation, Trafficking, and Trade
Political Geography:
Africa

3413. Arms Monitoring in Guinea: A Survey of National Forensic Services

Author:
André Desmarais
Publication Date:
09-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Small Arms Survey
Abstract:
Forensic science institutions have a key role to play—not only in criminal investigations, but also in the broader fight against illicit arms proliferation. However, their ability to play this role depends on their capacities, which are not well understood. A Briefing Paper (originally published in French) on the forensic services in Guinea aims to fill this gap. Building on previous case studies on forensic services in Chad, Mauritania, and Niger, Arms Monitoring in Guinea: A Survey of National Forensic Services by ballistics specialist André Desmarais—co-published by INTERPOL and the Small Arms Survey’s Security Assessment in North Africa (SANA) project—examines capabilities, limitations, and needs of Guinea’s forensic services. It finds that information on calibres, models, and ammunition types of seized weapons is limited, and that the country lacks a central firearms database. Based on this analysis, the study provides tailored suggestions for areas of improvement, as a way to support Guinea in significantly reducing illicit arms flows.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, Crime, and Forensic Science
Political Geography:
Africa, Chad, Guinea, Mauritania, and Niger

3414. The West Africa–Sahel Connection: Mapping Cross-border Arms Trafficking

Author:
Fiona Mangan and Matthias Nowak
Publication Date:
12-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Small Arms Survey
Abstract:
This Briefing Paper from the Small Arms Survey maps cross-border arms trafficking in West Africa and the Sahel through case studies on Niger, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, and the two tri-border areas of Burkina Faso–Côte d’Ivoire–Mali, and Ghana–Côte d’Ivoire–Burkina Faso. The study reveals that highly organized trafficking networks move sizable arms quantities across large areas of land north of the Niger River. Arms trafficking south of the river is more characterized by lower-level arms flows and local intermediaries engaging in so-called ‘ant trade’. Actors range from long-established criminals, corrupt officials, and organized trafficking rings, to tribal networks and low-level transporters. Based on field research, The West Africa–Sahel Connection: Mapping Cross-border Arms Trafficking analyzes the links between illicit arms trafficking and other forms of trafficking and organized crime in the region. The study also looks into the impacts of such arms trafficking as well as the responses to it.
Topic:
Arms Control and Proliferation, Trafficking, and Organized Crime
Political Geography:
Africa, West Africa, and Sahel

3415. CITIZENSHIP ON HOLD IN LIBYA

Author:
Valerie Stocker
Publication Date:
07-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Institute of Peace (EIP)
Abstract:
Amid Libya’s ongoing crisis, unresolved disputes over citizenship haunt society and the fragile state. A significant number of people in Libya – presumably several hundred thousand – are not formally recognized as citizens, despite considering themselves as such. Commonly referred to as “persons of undetermined legal status”, the majority are first- or second-generation immigrants whose naturalisation process is on hold. A smaller amount consists of native inhabitants who have not been recognised by the state, as well as a group of people whose citizenship was revoked. Although they are registered with the authorities, their status does not guarantee them civil rights, thus curtailing their access to essential paperwork, public services and employment. The issue is of national concern and there are people affected by it across the country; however, it is of particular magnitude in the South of Libya, where it feeds instability. After being on hold for decades, the citizenship file has recently been reopened through the draft constitution, and administrative authorities have taken a renewed interest. This provides a window of opportunity to revisit the causes of disputed citizenship and promote a problem-solving approach based on consultations and social dialogue, to mitigate the risk of further destabilisation. The European Institute of Peace partnered with researcher Valerie Stocker to produce a policy paper that provides an overview of citizenship-related grievances in Libya. The paper traces the history of undetermined legal status and how citizenship disputes relate to Libya’s troubled transition. The author also examines approaches to tackle undetermined legal status, including through the proposed constitution, and offers recommendations for the challenges that lie ahead.
Topic:
Civil War, Fragile/Failed State, Citizenship, Humanitarian Intervention, Civil Rights, Legal Sector, and Destabilization
Political Geography:
Africa and Libya

3416. ETHNIC EXTREMISM IN ETHIOPIA

Author:
Yonas Adeto
Publication Date:
07-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
European Institute of Peace (EIP)
Abstract:
In his first year in office, Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed has executed sweeping political changes; nevertheless, Ethiopia faces daunting challenges. One the most pressing challenges is the spike in violence between the country’s many ethnic groups. In September 2018, scores were killed in Addis Ababa in clashes between Oromos and non-Oromos. Fighting has occurred along the border of the Oromia and the Somali regional states; Tigrayans have been forced out of Amhara; Amharas have been expelled from Oromia and Benishangul; and violent conflicts between the Oromo and Gedeo ethnic groups displaced approximately 970,000 people in the western Guji and Gedeo zones. Recently, federal forces were deployed as a coup attempt was thwarted in the Amhara regional state and protests over an independence referendum in Sadama turned violent. Many other incidents of ethnic violence go unreported in international media. To raise awareness about this issue, the European Institute of Peace has partnered with Dr. Yonas Adaye Adeto of the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) at Addis Ababa University. The policy paper investigates the causes and drivers of ethnic extremism, and argues that it presents a clear and present danger for the survival of Ethiopia as a nation. Dr. Yonas offers various recommendations to address extremism through comprehensive government action, which would ensure the success of the ongoing political reforms and address one of the most formidable challenges Ethiopia will face in the years to come.
Topic:
Ethnic Conflict, Violent Extremism, Political Extremism, and Countering Violent Extremism
Political Geography:
Africa and Ethiopia

3417. Vulnerable Asylum Seekers and Irregular Migrants in Albania: Trends, Challenges, and Policy Solutions

Publication Date:
06-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Institute for Democracy and Mediation (IDM)
Abstract:
During the last few years (2015-2018), Albania has witnessed an increased influx of irregular migrants entering the country, mostly via the southern border with Greece. The influx of irregular migrants intercepted in Albania during 2018 was around 5,730 foreign nationals, almost five times higher than in 2017. The share of women and children went up as well in 2018. Many migrants resort to smugglers and criminal networks to avoid detention while crossing borders illegally, often due to a scarcity of other viable and safe avenues for migration. Though Albania is considered a transit path in the “Western Balkan route”, the massive irregular flows of migrants raise the risk of vulnerable groups falling prey to human trafficking and sexual exploitation. The policy brief explores the current immigration trends in Albania and outlines some of the main challenges that the country faces, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups of asylum seekers and irregular migrants, such as unaccompanied and separated children, women, and minors who might potentially be victims of trafficking, exploitation, and abuse.
Topic:
Crime, Human Rights, Migration, Immigration, Immigrants, and Asylum
Political Geography:
Europe, Greece, Balkans, and Albania

3418. La inserción laboral de las mujeres excombatientes en Colombia: un análisis desde la Política Nacional de Reintegración Social y Económica (PRSE)

Author:
Dahiana Manjarrés Espinosa
Publication Date:
07-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios sobre Desarrollo (CIDER), Universidad de los Andes
Abstract:
La intervención estatal en Colombia para la reintegración de grupos armados contemplada en la PRSE, acoge las recomendaciones de planificación para los procesos DDR e intenta aproximarse hacia una perspectiva de género propuesta por la Resolución 1325 de Naciones Unidas en el 2000. Sin embargo, no se evidencia un diseño de intervención con estrategias diferenciadas para hombres y mujeres excombatientes en el componente de reintegración económica en el mercado laboral, lo cual influye en un reforzamiento del rol reproductivo en las mujeres excombatientes dentro del escenario de desmovilización. Por lo anterior, este trabajo realiza una revisión de las condiciones de empleabilidad, la trayectoria ocupacional y las expectativas de las mujeres excombatientes en el marco de la implementación de la Ruta de Reintegración, con el fin de identificar recomendaciones que fortalezcan la pertinencia estatal en términos de su empleabilidad y la generación de sus propios ingresos.
Topic:
Labor Issues, Armed Forces, State Actors, Economic Development, and Demobilization
Political Geography:
Colombia

3419. El Ejército Nacional en la implementación de la Política Nacional de Consolidación y Reconstrucción Territorial (2012-2016)

Author:
Mateo Rubiano Giraldo
Publication Date:
10-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios sobre Desarrollo (CIDER), Universidad de los Andes
Abstract:
Esta investigación analiza el rol del Ejército Nacional en la implementación de la Política Nacional de Consolidación y Reconstrucción Territorial (PNCRT) durante el periodo 2012-2016. Para este fin, se realizaron entrevistas a los directores regionales del Grupo Asesor del Comandante (GAC), quienes, a través de esta unidad militar creada por el Ministerio de Defensa, ejecutaron acciones enfocadas a ganar el apoyo de la población en territorios constantemente afectados por el accionar de los grupos armados al margen de la ley. Se plantea que, pese al aparente éxito de las acciones realizadas por el Ejército, existieron brechas entre lo planteado por la teoría contrainsurgente y la puesta en marcha de la estrategia militar, principalmente por inconvenientes relacionados con colaboración efectiva entre instituciones estatales, problemas organizacionales del Ejército, dificultad en ganarse “corazones y mentes” de la población, y divergencias entre oficiales frente al papel del desarrollo en la implementación de la PNCRT.
Topic:
Military Affairs and Economic Development
Political Geography:
Colombia

3420. Paz desde lo local. La fase veredal del PDET en El Bagre: voz sin decisión

Author:
Sara Vélez Zapata
Publication Date:
11-2019
Content Type:
Policy Brief
Institution:
Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios sobre Desarrollo (CIDER), Universidad de los Andes
Abstract:
Este artículo analiza la fase de formulación veredal de los Programas de Desarrollo con Enfoque Territorial (PDET), desde el enfoque crítico del giro hacia lo local y aporta evidencia empírica sobre el papel de los actores comunitarios que conforman lo local en dicho proceso. El análisis se enmarca en la literatura académica nacional e internacional sobre construcción de paz, que busca resaltar la importancia de la participación comunitaria en los procesos e iniciativas que tienen como objetivo la construcción de escenarios de futuro compartidos en los cuales la violencia no sea la protagonista. La pregunta de investigación es: ¿qué condiciones explican el nivel de participación de la formulación del PDET en la etapa veredal en el municipio de El Bagre (Antioquia)? Para ello, se realiza un estudio de caso, a través del rastreo de procesos. Tal rastreo permite afirmar que la fase de formulación del Pacto Comunitario para la Transformación Regional corresponde a un proceso participativo de inclusión simbólica, en el que los actores comunitarios tuvieron voz, pero no poder de decisión.
Topic:
Local, Peace, Economic Development, Territory, and Municipalities
Political Geography:
Colombia