Introduction
The Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) of Addis Ababa University is a prominent Institute for higher education, research and policy dialogues on peace and security in Africa. Established in 2007, it ranks among the top 50 educational establishments and think tanks in Sub-Saharan Africa according to the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 Global Go to Think Tank Index Reports. IPSS was also selected as the Center of Excellence for Post Conflict Societies by the African Research Universities Alliance (ARUA) in 2017. Moreover, the Institute runs the Africa Peace and Security Programme (APSP), a joint initiative with the African Union, which is mandated by the African Union’s Executive Council to take up the intellectual challenge of finding African-led solutions to peace and security in Africa. IPSS serves as the secretariat to the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa.
The 2019 Tana Forum Papers will address the main issues of this year’s Tana Forum theme titled: ''Political Dynamics in the Horn of Africa: Nurturing the Emerging Peace Trends''. The 8th edition of Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa will take place from 4-5 May 2019 in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Contextual Background
Despite the enormous human and natural resources it possesses and relative socio-economic progress registered over the past few years, the IGAD region is one of the poorest in the world ranking low on several human development indicators. Experiencing recurrent drought and famine, the region is known for the persistent food insecurity and dependency on foreign aid. The region is also marred by instability, violent conflicts and multiple security threats with regional implications, which have so far produced an estimated 4.6 million IDPs and 1.8 million refugees. As a result, many of the countries in the region are listed among the thirty-five most fragile countries in the world.
The Horn of Africa (HoA) region suffers from immense security threats that emanate from unresolved border issues, inter and intra-states conflicts as well as the existential threat from terrorism and violent extremism, maritime and energy insecurity and transnational organized crimes that have become the defining letterings of the region. However, over the course of 2018, emerging positive political and security dynamics has brought about a new wave of hope in the region. Improved diplomatic relations between and among the countries of the region, including between Eritrea and Ethiopia; Eritrea and Djibouti as well as Eritrea and Somalia has ignited a renewed momentum for peace with the prospect of having a spill-over effect beyond the region. In this regard, the signing of the Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Cooperation between Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia; the bilateral agreement between Eritrea and Djibouti as well as the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan are also significant steps towards a reinforced engagement and cooperation in the region.
In order to effectively reap the peace dividend from the renewed rapprochement, it is imperative that countries of the Horn and other relevant stakeholders, particularly the IGAD and AU, deeply analyze and understand the complexity of regional dynamics with the aim of devising a comprehensive strategy to build on progress and sustain the gains made so far. The aim of the Tana Forum Papers is, therefore, to undertake research and critical analysis on the proposed topics that are related to the theme of the upcoming Tana forum event and propose concrete recommendations on how to best nurture the emerging peace trends and sustainably resolve the political, economic and security challenges in the sub-region.
Description of the Assignment
Interested applicants are expected to send an abstract of no more than 400 words to the IPSS Reports Unit and, if selected, will be requested to write a policy paper. Accordingly, the contributor(s) will be expected to write a policy paper for Tana Forum on one of the proposed topics and send the draft paper to the IPSS Research Unit for review and approval. Authors are expected to revise and resubmit the brief by the deadline. The IPSS Research Unit also reserves the right to edit and make changes to the paper before publication in agreement with the author.
Proposed Tana Forum Paper Topics
1. Economic dividend of the Ethio-Eritrea Peace deal to the Horn.
2. Implications of emerging peace trends to countering violent extremism and cross border organised crimes in the HoA
3. Nurturing trade and investment in the HoA: The Role of GCC and other countries.
Structure of the Tana Forum Paper
A Policy Paper is usually 8-10 pages long. It contains an executive summary, key points, an introduction to the topic of the paper, body and conclusion and recommendation. For orientation, the contributor will be provided with samples of prior policy papers.
Tasks and Deliverables:
The contributor will, on the basis of the agreement:
- Ensure the delivery of the Tana Forum paper according to the proposed structure.
- Ensure he/she meets the agreed upon deadline;
- Revise and resubmit the paper if the first draft does not fulfill the quality standards.
Timeline
– Commissioning of the Tana Forum Paper – February 1, 2019.
– Submission of the First draft – March 10, 2019.
– Submission of Final draft – March 20, 2019.
Place(s) of Assignment:
The place of assignment is the contributor’s place of residence. There are no travels included.
Duration and Honorarium:
The contributor will work for the period of February 1, 2019, to March 20, 2019, and will receive a moderate honorarium.