1

The International Conference on the Great Lakes (IC/GLR)

Joseph Chilengi

Africa IDP Voice

Oxford 2007

Overview of ICGLR Legal Framework: New Perspective Relevant for IDP Protection

2

Overview 1• Objectives, Principles and Stakeholders• Stages in the process• The Pact on Security, Stability and

Development in the Great Lakes Region• Components of the Pact• Implementation issues• Challenges• Opportunities to address displacement in

the region• Conclusion

3

Morocco

Wes

tern-S

ahara

Algeria

Tunisia

Mauritania

Mali

LibyaEgypt

SudanChad

Niger

Burkina Faso

Nigeria

CameroonCentral African Republic

Ethiopia

KenyaUganda

Tanzania

Mozambique

MadagascarZimbabwe

South Africa

BotswanaNamibia

AngolaZambia

Democratic Republic of Congo

Lesotho

Swaziland

Malawi

BurundiRwanda

Somalia

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

GabonCongo

Benin

Togo

GhanaIvoryCoastLiberia

Sierra Leone

GuineaGuinea-Bissau

SenegalKap Verde Eritrea

Gambia

IC/GLR Member Countries

Co-opted Countries involved

Sao Tome & Principe

Comoros

Mauritius

Reunion

IC/GLR Member States and Co-opted Countries

4

Point of departure

• Awareness that national conflicts in the GLR had a regional dimension;

• People of the GLR interlinked, hence instability in one country affects neighbours;

• Need to seek a regional approach for sustainable peace and development;

Innovative approach complementing national initiatives, Building on partnerships: The core countries, the co-

opted countries, RECs, UN, AU, Group of Friends, Reflecting ownership and inclusiveness: Eleven core

countries and other groups of society

5

Burundi

DRC

Rwanda

UgandaKenya

Tanzania

Zambia

Angola

CAR

Rep. Of Congo

Sudan

6

Objectives of the IC/GLR

A regional and international response to the challenges of the region to transform it into a space for:• sustainable peace and security• political and social stability• shared growth and development• cooperation and convergence

Through implementation of thePact on Security, Stability and Development

in the Great Lakes Region

7

Principles of the Process

OWNERSHIP

PARTNERSHIP

INCLUSIVENESS

8

Stakeholders: Governments and Society

ZAM

TAN

ANG BUR

CAR

DRC

KENUGA

SUD

RoCRWA

Conference Secretariat

9

Stakeholders: Member States and Partners

ZAM

TAN

ANG BUR

CAR

DRC

KEN

UGA

SUD

RoC RWA

Conference Secretariat

10

IC/GLR: A long-term process not just an event

1. From the mid-90ties to 2003: Diplomatic efforts to get countries concerned ready for and involved in a comprehensive Peace Conference

2. Phase (mid 2003 to November 2004):Laying the foundations of cooperation and agreeing on principles: The Dar Es Salaam Declaration (DD)

3. Phase (12/2004 to December 2006):Elaboration of joint regional programmes of action, protocols and follow-up mechanism which together with the DD form the: Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region

4. Phase (2007 ) Implementation of the PACT through the eleven member states and other partners implementing Regional Programmes of Action and protocols:

11

Steps in the 2nd phase of the process

1st SUMMITNov. 2004

DDDar

2nd SUMMIT12/ 2006

PACTNBO

RPC/RIMC

02/ 2005Kigali

TTTF04 MSA

TTTF06 NBO

RPC/RIMC

07/ 2005Lusaka

RPC10/05

Luanda

NC01/06 NBO

RPC/ RIMC

02/ 2006Bangui

Experts02 KAM

Experts03 KAM

NC/REC03/06 ADD

RIMC09/ 2006

NYC

Experts01 BRAZ

PPP

05/06

LUS

NC/REC05/06 NBO

CSO, ♀♀, Y

05/06

KIG

TTTF09 NBO

RIMC07/ 2006Banjul

GBV09

NBO

RIMC12/ 2006

NBO

12

REGIONAL FOLLOW-UP MECHANISM (RFM)

THE DAR ES SALAAM DECLARATION ON PEACE, SECURITY, DEMOCRACY AND DEVELOPMENT

TECHNICAL:

REGIONALPROGRAMS OF

ACTION

FINANCIAL:

SPECIAL RECONSTRUCTION

AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (SRDF)

LEGAL:

REGIONALPROTOCOLS

INSTRUMENTS:

The Pact on Security, Stability and Development in the Great Lakes Region:

A “House” for regional Peace-building and Development

13

Peace and Security

Democracy and Good Governance

Economic Development and Regional Integration

Humanitarian and Social Issues

Priority Policy Options and Guiding Principles:

The DD is the foundation for a common vision for reconstruction, political stability and sustainable

development in the Great Lakes Region

Cross-cutting Issues: Gender, Human Rights, Environment, Human Settlement, HIV/Aids

14

10 REGIONAL PROTOCOLS

1. Non-Aggression and Mutual Defense in the Great Lakes Region;

2. Democracy and Good Governance;3. Judicial Cooperation;4. Prevention of and Curbing Crime of

Genocide, Crimes of War, Crimes against Humanity;

5. Prevention of illegal exploitation of natural resources in the GLR;

15

6. Specific Reconstruction and Development Zone;

7. Protection and assistance to internally displaced persons;

8. Property rights of returning populations;

9. Prevention and suppression of sexual violence against women and children;

10. Management of Information and Communication

10 REGIONAL PROTOCOLS (cont’d)

16

REGIONAL PROGRAMS OF ACTION AND PROJECTS

Peace and Security

Democracy and Good Governance

Economic Development and Regional Integration

Humanitarian and Social Issues

Joint Security Management of

Common Borders (5)

Interstate Cooperation on

Peace and Security (2)

10 SUB-PROGRAMMES (33 projects)

Rule of Law, and Human Rights

and the Fight of Crimes against Humanity (2)

Rational Management of Resources (1)

Consolidation of Democratic

Processes (1)

Cooperation in (3) Poverty Reduction

Harmonization and

Strengthening of Regional

cooperation policies (2)

Infrastructure Development (10)

Disaster preparedness, protection &

assistance to IDP’s and refugees and environment (4)

Resumption of basic social

services, health care and psycho-social support to

groups with special needs (3)

17

THE SPECIAL RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT FUND (SRDF)

• Is the main financing instrument for the implementation of the Projects and Protocols;

• Has been initiated by the Heads of State and Government in the DD, art. 53;

• Will be fed by contributions of Member States and international partners;

• Will be managed and housed by the AfDB.

• Should get into operation in 2007

18

Regional Follow-up Mechanism

SUMMITs (every 2 years)

INTERMINISTERIAL COMMITTEE

Bi-annual meetings

CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT

NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISMS

Organs Functions

Troika between Summits

Directs implementation of the PACT; Approves budgetary resources;Assesses progress in implementation;Conflict prevention & crisis management

Executive Organ: Devise strategies and monitor implementation of PACT, consider budgetary and operational adjustments, establish Group of Experts Group of Experts for special reportsfor special reports

Technical arm/ coordinating body (details see extra slide);

Maintain contacts with conference secretariat and ensure participation of other relevant groups (e.g. youth, women, CSO, Private Sector) in the implementation of the PACT

Ad-hoc Group of ExpertsAd-hoc Group of Experts

19

The Conference Secretariat: Functions

The CS is the Technical arm/ coordinating body of the Conference. Its functions are to:

• Ensure implementation of summit and Ministers decisions;

• Promotion of Pact, initiating and monitoring the execution of Programs of Action and Protocols;

• Organizing meetings; reporting; harmonizing cooperation with partners;

• Drawing up CS programs of activities, budgets and ensuring their implementation

20

ANGOLAANGOLA

ZAMBIAZAMBIA

UGANDAUGANDA

TANZANIATANZANIA

SUDANSUDAN RWANDARWANDA

REP OFCONGO

REP OFCONGO

KENYAKENYA

DRCONGO

DRCONGO

CARCAR

BURUNDIBURUNDI

CONFERENCESECRETARIAT

CONFERENCESECRETARIAT

CONFERENCE SECRETARIAT AND COOPERATION WITH NATIONAL COORDINATION MECHANISMS

21

Implementation of protocols, programs of action and projects

• Mobilization of financial resources; • Sensitization process for implementation of the

PACT; • Ratification of Pact and domestication of

protocols;• Preparation for program implementation/ up-date

of project planning;• Finalizing MoUs with implementing institutions;• Preparation of monitoring and evaluation

methodology.

22

Challenges

• Ensuring ownership of the process by Member States;

• Securing funding for implementation of the Pact; • Assuring added value of the process to the

existing initiatives and creating tangible benefits for the people in the region;

• Desisting from unilateral approaches in regional conflict management;

• Sustaining dialogue and confidence building among the Member States and partners.

23

How can partners assist in the implementation of the PACT ?

• Advocacy, lobbying for and using the IC/GLR and the PACT as a reference point and legal framework for action;

• Funding/ promoting individual projects e.g. by utilizing existing bilateral or multilateral mechanisms;

• Alignment of bilateral and multilateral support to national projects which are segments of IC/GLR regional priority projects;

• Direct allocations to the Special Fund;• Contributing to the continuous involvement of other

actors in the process e.g. civil society, women, youth;

24

Specific opportunities arising from IC/GLR to address forced displacement issues

• Pact constitutes a legal framework for regional and cross-border actions;

• Innovative elements: 3 Protocols on Protection/ assistance to IDPs; Property rights of returning populations Prevention and suppression of sexual

violence against women and children; Development of Model Legislation for the

Domestication of these Protocols

25

56

7

8

9

3

1

4

2

11

12 DESIGNATED TRANSBORDER DEVELOPMENT AND SECURITY ZONES IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ICGLR

12

10

26

The Programme of Action on Humanitarian and Social Issues

Sub Programme 1:• Disaster preparedness,

protection and assistance to IDPs, refugees and the environment

The Projects:• Compliance with Intl;

Instruments on HR, humanitarian law, ID-documents to IDPs, refugees and stateless person;

• Protection, assistance and search for durable solutions for displaced persons and communities that host them;

• Environmental assessment, restoration and rehabilitation of human settlements

• Legal framework on issues related to recovery of land and property for returning persons

27

Process Conclusions

• Implementing the PACT is a huge challenge, but at the same time a unique chance for the region;

• Provides important new opportunities for humanitarian and social action for refugees and IDPs;

• IC/GLR should be a point of reference for any support to action in the region and the respective country programs.

OUTLINE OF LEGAL PRESENTATION

• Highlights of ICGLR LegalProcess

• Pact

• Protocol on IDPs

• Projects: IDPS & Their Environment

• Along:

• Opportunities; Challenges; Remedies

• Background & Context

28

BACKGROUND/CONTEXT

• UNSC Resolution

• DSM Declaration & Concept

• 4 Thematic Groups

• Protocols - Ten…

• Pact

• Program/Action

• Project Documents

29

LEGAL FRAMEWORK

• Ideally

• Hierarchical Order/ Related but Indep

• Treaty/Protocols/et als Implementing …

• Schedules/Appendices– GCs & APs– ICCPR & Protocols– Constitutive Act & Protocols– EAC Treaty & Protocol on the CU

30

ICGLR

• 2004 DD – Political/Treaty?

• 2006 Protocols (et Progs & Projects)

• In Implementing DD

• 2006 Pact

• Pact Implementing:

• DD; Protocols; Progs etc

• These – integral parts of Pact

31

ICGLR LEGAL INSTITUTIONS

• Summit

• Regional Inter-Ministerial Committee

• ad hoc Group of Experts

• Conference Secretariat

• National Coordination Mechanism

32

PACT…I

• Preamble• Goal of Process:• Durable Peace, Security, Stability, Dev• Joint, Coordinated Measures• Participatory - CSOs• Basis Principles of IL• Protection Assistance Displaced• Determination translate into Reality

33

…OPPORTUNITIES

• Recognition inter-linkages

• Impunity, Conflict, FD

• Reservations

• Non-Selectivity in Implementation

• High Threshold:– Amendments– Withdrawal

34

PACT… II/Entry Points

• Ltd re Centres of Power!

• Besides Preamble

• National Coord Mechanisms - Art 1, 27

• Regional Follow-Up Mechanism – Art 1

• Art 18 Prog Democracy GG

• Promote political participation…

35

CHALLENGES

• Hierarchical Link/Pact/Protocols

• Force of Law within MS

• Harmonisation re ML

• Harmonisation et als treaty obligations

• Entry Points for CSO

• re: Centres of real power in ICGLR!

• Applicability to refugees

36

PROTOCOL…re Pact

• Commitment IHL re Displaced

• Art 12:– Undertaking implement GPs

• Art 20:– Implement Prog Action– Diverse Causes FM– Prevention– Errant MS - Summit

37

PROTOCOL… I

• Present: binding/Institutional/Definition

• Protocol: definition/legal void

• Institutional Mech?

• Experts:– Effective monitoring– Institutional machinery– At all Phases

• nb: AU model38

PROTOCOL… II

• Clear obligation adopt/Impl GPs

• Domesticate GPs

• ML:

• Definition

• Regulate Development Induced …

• Identify Govt Agencies with Responsibility

• nb: wide participation incld CSO/Pax!

39

PROJECTS…

• Humanitarian & Social Issue Theme

• Prog: ‘Disaster Prep Prot & Asst to IDPs’

• Projects

• Property Rights Returnees

• Rehab of Camps & RHAs

40

41