Nairobi, 13 November 2024—The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is partnering with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on a new strategic initiative focusing on Peacebuilding and the Prevention of Violent Extremism in East Africa: Building Resilience and Community Empowerment for Peace #BRACE4PEACE. The three-year programme, worth USD 18 million, will be implemented in selected Thirty (30) locations across Kenya, Somalia, and South Sudan. The projects across these three countries will work with both state and non-state agencies to achieve peace and national cohesion, enhancing community resilience and fostering long-term stability.

"KOICA is pleased to launch this meaningful initiative to build lasting peace in East Africa through our unique partnership with UNDP," said Mr. Kapchae Ra, Director of KOICA's Conflict, Fragility, and HDP Nexus Team. "This initiative represents an exceptional opportunity to strengthen the KOICA-UNDP partnership in peacebuilding and conflict prevention while also advancing our shared commitment to the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus. We hope this effort will foster resilient communities and contribute to long-term stability in the region."

Underpinned by UNDP’s cross-regional experience in the prevention of violent extremism and peacebuilding, KOICA’s Conflict and Fragility Programme, and aligned to the Republic of Korea’s 2021 Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus Implementation Strategy, the programme applies targeted country-specific interventions while maintaining a regional perspective. It also draws on evidence-based studies and lessons from regional interventions that have significantly enhanced community resilience and strengthened socioeconomic and livelihood capacities, critical assets for forged sustainable development, stability, and peaceful pathways.

Addressing violent extremism and conflict in the region requires multifaceted, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches that focus on key drivers and root causes, said UNDP Somalia Resident Representative Lionel Laurens. Somalia, he said, is on a positive development trajectory as the Federal Government is committed to liberate the country from violent extremism and has already demonstrated significant success in the recovery of many new areas from the control of Al Shabab. "The program we are launching today focuses on the root causes, on the very reasons why people join violent extremism, and tackling them one by one with a focus on women and youth, recognizing that while they are disproportionately affected by violent extremism and conflict, they are also powerful agents of change we should all invest in," he added. 

“There is a crucial need to strengthen national legal and institutional frameworks to implement peacebuilding architecture beyond local efforts to include sustained political will, adequate resources and enhanced cooperation.” Noted Dr. Raymond Omollo Principal Secretary of the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration, Ministry of Interior and National Administration, Kenya. “Our experience has revealed that the risks we face are not unique to this region but are common globally. We hope to leverage the collective security  framework outlined in the UN charter to address these threats collectively." He added.

UNDP takes a developmental approach to conflict prevention, PVE, peacebuilding and crisis response. Leveraging the multifaceted approach to addressing violent extremism and conflict in the region, the programme seeks to improve the resilience of at-risk communities, with an emphasis on youth and women. It aims to strengthen community-based early warning systems to detect, mitigate, and prevent potential conflicts or radicalization towards violent extremism and to develop mechanisms for sharing information and enhancing coordinated responses.

“UNDP remains committed to prioritizing holistic development solutions to address insecurity, including violent extremism in Africa. The programme integrates peacebuilding and prevention of violent extremism into sustainable development policy frameworks with a focus on socioeconomic resilience, while strengthening governance and peace infrastructure” stated Dr. Zeynu Ummer, Director of the UNDP Resilience Hub for Africa. 

Creating and sustaining conditions that support long-term peace and stability across the region requires whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, community engagement, and community-based solutions that leave no one behind. The Programme uses a coordinated approach that draws on strong networks of local expertise, strategic partnerships with regional and sub-regional organizations and national and local communities to address complex, interlocking challenges.

“This programme we are launching today perfectly aligns with our mission at the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. By prioritizing building socio-economic resilience, enhancing early warning and response systems, and fostering inclusive governance, we aim not only to counter violent extremism but to prevent it from taking root in the first place.” stated Mr. Mohamed Houmed, Deputy Director, IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (ICEPCVE), adding that  “Our work focuses on the resilience of communities, strengthening institutions, and empowering individuals especially young people, who are often the most vulnerable to extremist ideologies. We must foster a society where extremism is not an option, and where every individual feels a sense of belonging, dignity, and opportunity.”

Evidence at regional and national levels shows that strengthening communities’ socio-economic resilience and livelihood capacities of vulnerable populations, including young people, is critical to addressing some key drivers of violent conflict and insecurity. Development interventions and results geared towards sustainable peace and security must be accelerated and scaled up significantly to achieve positive development outcomes for all.

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