By Alfaritsy The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urges nations worldwide to prioritize the creation and execution of strong strategies for post-war rehabilitation.
He also emphasized that the approach is not only morally imperative but, also a strategic necessity to secure lasting peace and stability in regions marred and scarred by conflict.
According to him, it is only when such objective is achieved that the world can hope to transform the lessons of the past into formidable foundation for a peaceful future.
The Deputy Speaker issued the recommendation in a proposition entitled “The Urgency of Enhancing Post-War Governance,” which was presented during the current 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) being held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Rt. Hon. Kalu, appointed as a co-rapporteur for the IPU’s Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, will address “The Role of Parliaments in Developing Strong Post-Conflict Management Systems and Reinstating Lasting Justice and Harmony.”
He highlighted the catastrophic impacts of conflicts and wars in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), along with A. Al-Zu’bi from Jordan and Ms. F. Belhirch from the Netherlands.
His words; “Despite multiple peace agreements, sporadic violence has persists due to inadequate post-conflict reconstruction and weak governance structures.
“The failure to establish a resilient peacekeeping and reconstructionframework has left Sudan vulnerable to renewed conflict, Economic marginalization and weak institutions.
This regrettable setback has hindered sustainable peace even more, highlighting the necessity for improved systems in managing the aftermath of war.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has faced conflicts since the 1990s, encompassing both the First and Second Congo Wars. These wars were dubbed ‘Africa’s World War’ because of their extensive scope and the participation of several nearby nations.
The conflicts have led to more than 5 million fatalities, mainly caused by illness, hunger, and aggression. The area still faces intermittent fighting, hampering years of tenuous reconciliation attempts.
Inadequate post-war leadership, widespread corruption, and lack of effective conflict-resolution methods have hindered enduring stability.
The global community’s failure to implement complete peace agreements has led to a situation where ongoing violence has become commonplace.
The historical progression from World War I through regional conflicts in Sudan and the DRC illustrates an ongoing trend: the inability to create robust post-conflict governance structures leads to repeated episodes of violence and instability.
“To break this cycle, the international community, in collaboration with national governments, must prioritize the development and implementation of robust frameworks for post-war recovery.”
Kalu, who is also the coordinator of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) – an initiative focused on bringing stability to the Southeastern region of Nigeria without resorting to violent methods – emphasized that the situations in countries like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and many others affected by warfare show that achieving victory in conflicts is merely the initial phase in establishing lasting peace.
To attain enduring peace, Kalu consequently called for enhanced institutions, economic rebuilding, social rapprochement, and integration as restorative measures along with international assistance.
Resilient governance systems can effectively handle post-conflict situations and promote inclusive political procedures.
The full execution may also ensure economic resurgence and reconstruction of infrastructure, generating employment opportunities, lessening disparities, and fostering communication between conflicting parties and communities. Consequently, this could result in the resolution of longstanding disputes and encourage national cohesion.
Creating systems that include formerly marginalized groups within the political framework can be achieved through policies ensuring their involvement in governance and society. This approach can alleviate negative sentiments and foster national cohesion.
By integrating these elements, we not only uphold the tenets of fairness but also convert past disputes into chances for comprehensive governance,” Kalu stated. “Furthermore, this approach leverages international organizations to offer continuous support, oversight, and responsibility to guarantee the complete implementation of peace accords.
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