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Forum deliberates on Rapid
Response Fund for CEWARN in IGAD region |
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 ADDIS
ABEBA(August 21,2008) -
A regional forum on the development of response framework
and the establishment and operationalization of Rapid Response Fund
(RRF) for the Conflict Early Warning and Response (CEWARN) Mechanism
in the IGAD region is being held here at the Panorama hotel.
The aim of the three day regional forum which started on Tuesday was
to contribute to the development of a Response Framework and the establishment
of the RRF for the CEWARN Mechanism said Ambassador Abdelrahim Khalil,
Director of the conflict early warning and response unit of IGAD (CEWARN
Unit/IGAD) on his opening remarks.
The director added that the forum was gathered to receive draft reports
and papers on the development of a response frame work and the establishment,
operationalization of RRF for the CEWARN mechanism "which is
part and parcel of the implementation of the CEWARN Strategy for the
years 2007-2011".
The CEWARN Strategy 2007-2011 articulated how CEWARN intends to play
its role to ensure it provides an effective, sustainable sub-regional
mechanism to prevent cross-border pastoral conflicts, facilitate the
peaceful settlement of disputes and violent conflicts in the region.
It also aimed at overcoming the challenges identified in the initial
stages of implementation of the CEWARN Mechanism which included strengthening
the response side of the mechanism. In addition to that it discusses,
inter alia, plans to strengthen and institutionalize CEWARN's response
initiatives in conjunction with their respective national and local
networks.
The mandate of CEWARN is to receive and share information concerning
particularly violent conflicts, their outbreak and escalation in the
IGAD region, analyzing the information and formulating feasible options
for response.
This mandate remains critical to peace and security agenda of the
IGAD Member States in their pursuit of a regional social-economic
development strategy, the office said. The CEWARN Mechanism has been
established in 2003.
According to available information, since the establishment the mechanism
has provided early warning tool for member states on cross-border
pastoral and related conflicts by monitoring and providing warnings
on a range of issues that may trigger and influence conflicts among
communities such as environmental pressures, banditry, and proliferation
of small arms. |
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