8. Working Together for Stability in Eastern Congo

The ISSSS as a multi-stakeholder strategy is made possible thanks to strong partnerships. In 2017, in line with MONUSCO strategic review recommendations SSU engaged more actively with the UNCT to open the discussion on a transition of the ISSSS coordination from MONUSCO to the UNCT. Whilst the large majority of current implementing partners of the existing ISSSS programs are UN agencies (about 60 %), key challenges remain and have been identified before a full transition process can be completed. Capacity for in depth conflict analysis, political engagement or civil-military coordination have been quoted as important prerequisites to ensure that conditions are in place for the transition to take place.

SSU also continued to work in partnership with Member States, in particular those actively engaged in the ISSSS, and held regular exchanges on the wider stabilization policy framework. In view of the evolving context since the inception of the revised ISSSS in 2014, the ISSSS Technical Secretariat and its partners identified the need for a revision of ISSSS pillars and exchange on good practices and challenges in implementation, evaluation and sustainability of stabilization programs. A participatory methodology has been established to conduct this revision early 2018 and several policy discussions have been held at Member State HQs and in the DRC to draw on lessons learned from other experiences as reflected in Member States national policies.

The ISSSS methodology is also increasingly reflected in member states’ policies and has already been used as a reference for good practices in terms of an integrated and holistic approach tackling conflict dynamics and focusing on political engagement. The stabilization approach of Norway’s Strategic Framework for engagement in conflict prevention, stabilization and resilience building in countries and regions affected by conflict and fragility23 is well aligned with the ISSSS approach and shares its core principles. The overall framework will be turned into region and/or country-specific plans allowing for a further trickling down of this approach and its operationalization on the ground. In the same vain, Sweden has recently adopted a new strategy for sustaining peace (August 2017), which focuses on contributing to improved prevention of armed conflict, efficient conflict resolution, sustainable peace- and state-building, improved human security in fragile and conflict affected states, as well as increased influence for women, youth, children and other excluded groups in these situations. The strategy very much integrates the ISSSS approach with its focus on dialogue initiatives and emphasizing the importance on capitalizing on national and local peace dividends. As a new donor to the SCF, Sweden is committed to ensuring a common understanding of the concept of stabilization and how it relates to the “sustaining peace” strategy within “team Sweden” both in the field and at capital level. Supporting the implementation of the ISSSS is a priority of the Embassy in Kinshasa and as an example, projects supported under the result area “improved human security and freedom from violence” under the Swedish development cooperation strategy with the Government of the DRC is encouraged to seek alignment with the ISSSS where deemed possible. The ISSSS is further referred to as a particularly well developed approach to stabilization analysis and planning in the United Kingdom‘s support to UN peacekeeping operations. In addition, the United Kingdom Government’s approach to stabilization, alike the ISSSS, is also guided by an objective to promote legitimate political authority, using a combination of integrated civilian and military actions to reduce violence, re-establish security and prepare for longer-term recovery. 24 Equally, the ISSSS is also reflected in the Dutch MultiAnnual Strategic Plan for the Great Lakes Region25 and the Dutch Policy Framework of the ‘Addressing Root Causes Fund’26. Both documents emphasize the need to target root causes of conflict, instability and irregular migration in fragile states, and aim to address conflict dynamics identical to those identified in the ISSSS. Additionally, in the guidelines of the Policy Framework of the ‘Addressing Root Causes Fund’ on grant applications for the DRC, the ISSSS is positioned as the guiding framework for stabilization interventions in Eastern DRC and particularly reference is made to its detailed conflict analysis as well as the overall provincial strategies and action plans. The framework further states that the Netherlands seeks “to carry out a holistic intervention that will address the root causes of the conflict from multiple angles, resulting in a tangible increase in security and stability in the selected ISSSS stabilization priority zones”27. Lastly, the stabilization measures set out in the Federal Government of Germany’sGuidelines on Preventing Crises, Resolving Conflicts, Building Peace’28 seek to support political processes of conflict resolution, while providing an incentive for parties to cease engagement in armed conflict. This is also very much in line with the ISSSS’ focus on political engagement to ensure the sustainability of operational interventions.

Example: “The concept behind the ISSSS is an excellent one: that there is a strategy driving the interventions of donors and what donors are funding and what NGOs and non-profits on the ground are implementing. The degree to which that is really happening is something that I would potentially take issue with.”29 (Tom O’Bryan, Harvard University)

23. Link: https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/departementene/ud/dokumenter/planer/saarbar-strategisk-rammeverk-oppdatert120717.pdf). 24. The UK’s Approach to Stabilisation (2014), Stabilisation Unit: http://sclr. stabilisationunit.gov.uk/publications 25. Link: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/binaries/rijksoverheid/documenten/ rapporten/2014/02/05/meerjarige-strategische-plannen-mjsp-2014-2017/ great-lakes-region-multi-annual-strategic-plan-2014-2017.pdf 26. Link: https://www.government.nl/topics/grant-programmes/addressingroot-causes-fund 27. Link: https://www.government.nl/topics/grant-programmes/documents/ decrees/2016/01/13/policy-framework-arc-fund-annex-1-countries 28. Link: https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/290648/057f794cd359376 3ea556897972574fd/170614-leitlinien-krisenpraevention-konfliktbewaeltigung-friedensfoerderung-dl-data.pdf 29. DFID investment evaluation: Fragility and development in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Link: https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ cm201617/cmselect/cmintdev/99/9902.htm

In 2017, the United Nations welcomed Secretary-General Antonio Gutierrez’ vision of reforming the UN’s peace and security architecture, using the critical shifts recommended by the 2015 HIPPO report30 to underpin his priorities. In January 2017, he addressed the Security Council underscoring the need to focus on a new approach to peace and security and prioritize conflict prevention and sustaining security, meaning going back to basics—strengthening institutions and building resilient societies. Complementing these values, The ISSSS is seeks to deliver tangible peace dividends and reinforce political processes to promote stability and enduring peace. This is also in line with the most recent reviews and UNSC resolutions related to UN peace operations and the peacebuilding architecture which recognize that development, peace, security and human rights are interlinked and mutually reinforcing; peace operations need to focus on politics, people, and partnerships; and that a comprehensive approach is needed to sustain peace particularly through the prevention of conflict and addressing of root causes.31 By placing democratic dialogue at the crux of its framework, the ISSSS supports national and provincial governments by capitalizing on available resources and providing advice and analysis, to empower political ownership over peace processes. Furthermore, the ISSSS capitalizes on security gains to prevent a slippage back to conflict by employing rigorous conflict analysis methods, promoting restoration of state authority, facilitating the return and reintegration of internally displaced and fighting sexual and gender-based violence (a devastating dimension of conflict in the DRC.) Integrating its efforts with the Government, international and national partners, the ISSSS plays a key role in creating the conditions for improved governance, longer-term development and eventually lasting peace.

Further, the ISSSS is closely aligned with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda as well as the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda which conclude that women and youth’s engagement and voices are critical in any efforts to create a future free of insecurity and conflict and to avoid manipulation of those groups.32 The ISSSS is grounded in the commitment to bring women’s participation and leadership to the core of peace and security efforts and to protect the rights of women and girls during and after conflicts. Further to this, the ISSSS ensures a genderresponsive planning and a coordinated response of all those involved in combating sexual violence.

Lastly, the ISSSS is in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and in particular its 16th goal on Peace, Justice and Institutions, adopted by world leaders in 2015, which is considered as a blueprint for making our world more equitable, sustainable and livable. Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals stresses the importance of the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels. By supporting the Government to advance peace processes, reduce treats to security, strengthen public institutions and build resilient societies the ISSSS makes a positive and constructive contribution to the implementation of this specific goal.

Official handover ceremony of the CVR project in Rubaya, North Kivu, hosted by SSU

30. Uniting our Strengths for Peace – Politics, Partnership and People: Report of the High Level Independent Panel on Peace Operations, 2015. 31. UNSCR 2282 (2016) on the UN Peacebuilding Architecture; Challenge of sustaining peace: Report of the Advisory Group of Experts on the Review of the Peacebuilding Architecture (A/69/969-S/2015/490). 32. Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Women and Peace and Security, 2017 (S/2017/861); Preventing Conflict, Transforming Justice, Securing Peace: A Global Study in the Implementation of United Nations Security Resolution 1325, 2015; UNSCR 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace and Security.