Peacebuilding Commission Update

The Security Council was briefed on the situation in Guinea-Bissau on 25 Jun by the Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOGBIS, Mr. Shola Omoregie; Executive Director of UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Mr. Antonio Maria Costa; and the Chair of the PBC Guinea-Bissau Configuration, Amb. Maria Luiza Ribeiro Viotti. Speakers called for greater regional and international support to the country in post-conflict development and the fight against drug trafficking and organized crime. Read the rest of this entry »

Although the PBC held the first meeting of its third session on 23 June, the PBC was neither able to elect a new Chair nor welcome new members to the Organizational Committee. Election wrangling in ECOSOC has delayed the selection of members from ECOSOC and the GA, which is mandated to ensure regional balance in the PBC in its own election process. This in turn has delayed the selection of a new PBC Chair, Vice-Chairs and Chair of the Burundi configuration. Read the rest of this entry »

• PBF News: Côte d’Ivoire eligible for PBF funding
• Central African Republic: Government signs peace accord with rebel groups; New UNDP report on SSR in CAR; EUFOR Commander discusses mission in CAR and Chad
• Guinea-Bissau: SG issues quarterly report on UNOGBIS, says GoGB needs more from international community; Portugal voices concern over deteriorating economic situation; New cashew nut cooperation with Mozambique; UN, EU help create GB anti-drugs unit; GB Army Chief visits Huambo, discusses military cooperation with Angola
• Sierra Leone: Acting ERSG Schulenburg kicks off tour of provinces; Massive withdrawal of independents from local elections; President Koroma launches electoral campaign; UNDP calls for non-election violence; World Bank approves funding for development
• Burundi: UN-financed new transitional justice project; Human Rights Watch critical of removal of parliamentarians; Opposition party calls for international intervention; Former national security officials acquitted of WHO representative murder charges; Looming risk of food shortage Read the rest of this entry »

The PBC Burundi Configuration will hold an informal NGO briefing next week to discuss civil society perspectives in implementing the Strategic Framework for Peacebuilding in Burundi. The meeting, to be held on Monday, 16 June 2008 aims to consider the role of civil society and its contributions to peacebuilding in Burundi, in anticipation of the formal biannual review of the Strategic Framework later this month. Read the rest of this entry »

The PBC added the Central African Republic (CAR) to its agenda today. CAR is now the fourth country on the PBC’s agenda. Belgium was elected chair of the country-specific configuration and will be crucial to guiding the PBC’s engagement with CAR’s government.

The PBC is responding to a request by the Security Council and the government of CAR for advice on peacebuilding in the country.

IGP is currently beginning consultations on peacebuilding in the CAR and welcomes recommendations for people and organizations actively engaged in the country. Visit our page on civil society engagement and contact us for more information.