Peaceful and democratic Africa – Canada.ca

On October 27, 2022, Canada hosted the first Canada-African Union Commission High-Level Dialogue. The dialogue gave Canadian and African Union representatives the opportunity to discuss efforts in the areas of peace and democracy, sustainable development and economic cooperation.

Canada has long supported the African Union’s vision of Africa-led solutions to support peace, security, and democracy efforts. As part of this support, Canada announced over $37 million in project funding to support African Union priorities.

Descriptions of some of the projects follow.

Response to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Ethiopia

Partner: United Nations Population Fund

Funding announced: $20 million (2022 to 2025)

This project funding will help address gaps in the response to conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and gender-based violence (GBV) in the Afar, Amhara, Benishangul Gumuz and Tigray regions of Ethiopia by providing comprehensive services to survivors of sexual violence and by increasing awareness and mitigating risks of CRSV and GBV through protection measures.

Fostering the Meaningful Inclusion of Women in Ethiopia’s National Dialogue

Partner: Berghof Foundation Operations

Funding announced: $978,000 (2022 to 2023)

This project aims to facilitate and support the meaningful inclusion of women in Ethiopia’s national dialogue process. It primarily supports a diverse group of Ethiopian women in preparing to engage in the dialogue while also sensitizing power holders about the strategic value of women’s inclusion in this process.

Strengthening Women-Led Community Reconciliation in the Regional State of Oromia

Partner: Life & Peace Institute

Funding announced: $1 million (2022 to 2023)

This project seeks to enhance social cohesion in the Oromia region of Ethiopia by supporting conflict transformation with conflict-affected communities. The Life & Peace Institute uses a participatory research approach to help communities understand conflict dynamics affecting their community, build relationships, facilitate dialogue on conflict drivers and address identified issues.

Gender and Conflict-Sensitive Approaches to Peacebuilding in Ethiopia

Partner: Mercy Corps

Funding announced: $1.39 million (2022 to 2023)

Through this project, Canada aims to strengthen inclusive approaches to peacebuilding in Ethiopia. Project activities include supporting locally led and gender-sensitive mechanisms for conflict early warning and conflict mediation mechanisms and supporting online and offline youth peacebuilding work, trauma-healing counselling and the participation of women in peacebuilding.

Contribution to the South Sudan Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience

Partner: UN Development Programme Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office

Funding announced: $5 million (2021 to 2023)

Canada’s contribution to the South Sudan Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience will support highly contextualized, conflict-sensitive, integrated peacebuilding and stabilization programming in volatile areas of the country.

Prevention of the Use of Children in Armed Forces and/or Armed Groups in Jonglei State, South Sudan

Partner: Danish Refugee Council (consortium lead)

Funding announced: $2 million (2021 to 2023)

This project aims to prevent boys and girls from being used by armed forces and armed groups in South Sudan’s Jonglei state. The project supports community-led activities, including analysis of conflict drivers and recruitment pathways, provides support to children and their families to counter identified recruitment vulnerabilities and supports community dialogue and national advocacy work.

Promoting Social Cohesion, Peaceful Seasonal Cattle Movements and Trade in Abyei, South Sudan

Partner: Concordis International Trust

Funding announced: $1.48 million (2021 to 2023)

This project aims to strengthen community-led peacebuilding and conflict-resolution mechanisms in the South Sudan’s Abyei Administrative Area. The project focuses on improving the functioning of the community court, the community peace committee and the Amiet market. The project also facilitates the peaceful seasonal movement of cattle through cattle corridors.

Support of the South Sudan Peace Process

Partner: Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC)

Funding announced: $2.48 million (2021 to 2023)

This project aims to sustain the RJMEC’s critical role in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). It works to advance the permanent constitution-making process, increase public awareness of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, bolster the RJMEC Secretariat’s engagement with transitional institutions and mechanisms and enhance the RJMEC’s staff capacity. The RJMEC’s mandate under the R-ARCSS is to steer South Sudan through the transitional period until elections planned for 2022 and to promote the implementation provisions described in the agreement.

Foundations for Peace in the Artisanal Gold Mining Sector in Burkina Faso

Partner: IMPACT

Funding announced: $996,960 (2021 to 2023)

This 2-year project aims to enhance the ability of women and men in the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector of Burkina Faso to integrate themselves into the legal gold trade and thereby better contribute to the stability and security of their communities.