Commentary
China and conflict-affected states: towards a more co-operative approach
China’s deepening engagement in conflict-affected countries is creating new challenges for its policy makers as they come to terms with the contradictions between a policy of non-interference, their new-found responsibility and influence, and new interests that need protecting. Saferworld’s latest research suggests that Chinese policy makers may find the solution to these challenges lies in working more with others.
Defining the future of Somalia
The outcome of February’s London Conference on Somalia was a welcome endorsement of the principle that Somalis must define the future of their own country. International actors now need to support Somalis in this endeavour.
Saferworld reflection on the February 2012 ATT PrepCom
A week of intense wrangling over Rules of Procedure at the final Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) at the UN in New York saw the real possibility of the process falling apart. Ultimately, an agreement was reached on Rules for the month-long Diplomatic Conference (DipCon) to negotiate the treaty in July. As delegations and NGOs start looking towards the DipCon, Elizabeth Kirkham, Saferworld’s Small Arms and Transfer Controls Advisor, reflects on the PrepCom and where we go from here.
Why less haste would be progress for statebuilding in Somalia
On 24 December 2011, Somalia’s top political leaders signed an agreement proposing new political structures from September 2012 when current transitional arrangements end. Is this progress or are Somalia and the international community stuck on a political treadmill with no end in sight?
Conflict sensitive adaptation to climate change in Nepal
Saferworld report-card on the July 2011 ATT PrepCom
21 July 2011: As the dust settles after the final week of substantive UN Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) Preparatory Committee meetings (PrepComs) in New York, Roy Isbister, Saferworld's Small Arms and Transfer Sontrols Team Leader, assesses where we now stand.
Enabling communities between Shida Kartli and South Ossetia to overcome a general sense of insecurity
David Wood, Caucasus Programme Manager, comments on how a community-based approach to security can help to reduce the impact of conflict dynamics and the potential for violence.
On the face of it, life along the administrative boundary line (ABL) between Shida Kartli and South Ossetia/the Tskhinvali Region has improved substantially since violence erupted in August 2008. The intervening two years have seen the return of a large proportion of those displaced from the Georgian-controlled side of the ABL and a reduction in most types of security incidents. Indeed, the threat of escalation or a return to violence is at present low.
Read the full article in Caucasus Security Insight (external link)
Time to export our arms controls to the UN
Hannah Wright, Advocacy Officer at Saferworld, comments on the potential role for the UK at the Arms Trade Treaty negotiations.
Later this month (February 2011), UN member states will attend the third of four Preparatory Committees (PrepComs) with the aim of preparing the ground for agreement on an international legally-binding Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) in 2012. The 2012 negotiations will represent the culmination of 15 years of campaigning by NGOs, parliamentarians, Nobel Laureates and victims of armed violence.
Read the full article in Parlimentary Brief (external link)
Opportunities for international action on Sudan: Two views - December 2010
In the lead up to the referendum on the future of Southern Sudan, Henry Smith, Director of Saferworld and Professor Liu Hongwu of the Institute for African Studies in China lay out their views on how international actors can support peace and stability in Sudan.
The War over South Ossetia: Two years on - August 2010
Saferworld's Caucasus programme manager comments on progress in building peace and stability in the region, and on the need for a more long term approach.
Progress made towards an Arms Trade Treaty - July 2010
Saferworld reports on the outcomes of the first official meeting marking the start of the negotiating stage of the UN global Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) process.
Kenyan Lessons about Kyrgyzstan - June 2010
Saferworld's director, Henry Smith, suggests that ethnicity is too easy an explanation for the violence in Kyrgyzstan.
Read our op-ed in European Voice (external link)
Promoting overseas security, a call to UK MPs - May 2010
The new Coalition Government is looking hard at the UK’s approach to addressing conflict and insecurity overseas. While we welcome the increased attention to such an important issue, the new government’s stated intentions to establish a Stabilisation and Reconstruction Force, increase British arms sales to emerging markets and reduce the administrative burden of delivering international aid raise significant questions.
