FBA in sub-Saharan Africa

A large number of the world’s conflicts is in Africa. Africa is also the continent where the majority of UN’s peace operations are deployed. FBA is commissioned to support peace and security in the sub-Saharan region.

Contemporary conflicts commonly involve many different armed groups, both state and non-state actors, and tend to spill over borders. Civilian populations are often victims of violence. In order to solve today’s complex, cross-border conflicts and build sustainable peace, regional cooperation is needed.

FBA supports regional actors in sub-Saharan Africa in their efforts for peace, mainly the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Within the framework of Sweden’s development cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa, FBA is focused on two areas:

Women, peace and security
Women have traditionally played a marginalized role in peace processes in the region. ECOWAS aims at increasing the participation of women in their work, and at better recognizing and meeting the different security needs of women, men, boys and girls. FBA supports ECOWAS’ gender mainstreaming efforts, for example through training and expert advice.

Dialogue and peace mediation
FBA offers expert advice on dialogue and peace mediation to the AU, in order to strengthen the organization’s role as a key mediator in African conflicts. FBA also offers dialogue and mediation training for ECOWAS and key actors within the ECOWAS member states, in order to enhance their capacity to prevent electoral violence. Violence in connection with elections is a widespread problem in West Africa.

Click here to read the entire strategy for Sweden’s development cooperation with sub-Saharan Africa 2016–2021.

New FBA mission – promote human security in southern Africa

Strengthening Africa’s regional forces for peace

Electoral violence a threat to peace and democratic development

West African standby forces trained in detecting conflict-related sexual violence

Factsheet about FBA’s work in sub-Saharan Africa (English)

Factsheet about FBA’s work in sub-Saharan Africa (French)

Photo: UN Photo/Catianne Tijerina

The Taliban take control in Afghanistan

The conditions for a political solution to the conflict in Afghanistan have changed drastically since the Taliban seized control over Kabul on 15 August 2021. Since 2019, FBA, along with The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), has supported the Afghan civil society in vocalising their concerns in the peace process. The conditions for continuing these efforts are currently unclear. – We are now focusing on supporting those of our partners who are in direct need of help, says Cecilia Hull Wiklund, project manager for FBA’s work with the Swedish development cooperation strategy for Afghanistan.

2021-08-17 11:19

On international deployment

Kristian Edqvist

Training manager in Brussels

Catalina Perdomo Rodriguez

Adviser to the UN in Colombia

Johan Chytraeus

Monitoring officer in Ukraine

Karolina Riedel

Statistician in election observation missions

Vanda Dahlbom

Analyst in Iraq

Björn Tedeman

Election observer

Read our publications

Youth, Peace and Security Agenda - Strengthening institutional capacity for implementation

This policy brief aims to support organizations working on peace and security to strengthen institutional capacity and operational readiness for accelerating the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agenda. The policy brief aims to guide decision-makers, managers and senior officials on how to create an enabling environment within their own organization by providing tangible entry points and recommendations in six priority areas.

Documents

Youth, Peace and Security Agenda - Strengthening institutional capacity for implementation

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