Thursday 6 January 2011

The comprehensive approach to Civil-Military crisis management

Facing recurrent complex crises requiring an improved coordination
of civilian and military, international and local actors, the comprehensive
approach concept has appeared both within international
organisations (Nato, EU etc) and within governments (the US,
France, the UK etc). The issue concerns restoring security, governance
and development through an inter-agency, inter-ministerial or
even an inter-organisational approach.
The present study identifies the dilemmas of the comprehensive
approach (the neutrality of humanitarian intervention versus the armed
commitment of states, the explicit cooperations between international
organisations versus implicit cooperation, etc). It anticipates
the consequences of the comprehensive approach, foremost a
strengthened position for the European Union and Nato, wielding
management capabilities for civil and military crisis management,
and the quest for legitimacy within Nato and the African Union. It
qualifies the French position towards the concept. It analyses the
operational impact of the comprehensive approach for the military.
Finally, it reinforces the academic thinking on the comprehensive
approach and presents new research topics in security studies.
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Wednesday 5 January 2011

Landmines and Land Rights in Conflict Affected Contexts

This policy brief1 describes the important linkages
between land rights and landmines in conflict-affected
contexts. Its purpose is to deepen awareness within
the broader mine action and development communities
about these linkages, and provide guidance on
how to effectively mainstream land rights2 issues into
mine action operations.
Land rights in conflict-affected situations are a topic
of increasing concern for the humanitarian and
development community. The recovery of households,
communities and countries following war depend to
a large degree on re-establishing clear rights over
land resources which are the basis of livelihoods.
The land rights situation becomes particularly critical
in mine-affected countries, where land access can
be denied for years or decades. Mine action organisations
(i.e. National Mine Action Authorities, National
Mine Action Centres, mine/ERW operators
and mine action donors) typically avoid land rights
issues in their activities, due to considerations of
neutrality, mandate, complexity, awareness and
political sensitivity. However the decision to survey 3
and clear (or not) particular areas inevitably involves
land rights issues.
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A New Strategy for Darfur

The views expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author(s) and do not
necessarily reflect the view of Chatham House, its staff, associates or Council. Chatham House
is independent and owes no allegiance to any government or to any political body. It does not
take institutional positions on policy issues. This document is issued on the understanding that if
any extract is used, the speaker(s) and Chatham House should be credited, preferably with the
details of the event. Where this document refers to or reports statements made by speakers at an
event every effort has been made to provide a fair representation of their views and opinions, but
the ultimate responsibility for accuracy lies with this document’s author(s). The published text of
speeches and presentations may differ from delivery.
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Beyond Southern Sudan

JANUARY’S REFERENDA ON SOUTHERN SUDAN’S SELFdetermination
and the status of Abyei are two of
the most important events to occur within the
region in years, if not decades. Media and
diplomatic attention on the potential local and
national fallout is as inevitable as it is
understandable. However, the referenda and
subsequent negotiations are not the only coming
events within the unstable triangle of Sudan, Chad and the
Central African Republic (CAR). Ignoring Sudan’s two
western neighbours – the CAR and Chad – risks overlooking
the fragile balance of stability within, as well as between, the
three countries.
Despite numerous postponements, presidential elections are
now due to be held in the CAR on January 23 and in Chad on
May 8, with the latter’s parliamentary and local elections in
February and March respectively. The two former French
colonies have historically been beset by conflict, including
involvement by the military in political affairs, and are
consistently two of the ten most vulnerable states worldwide
according to the Fund for Peace/Foreign Policy Failed State
Index. Furthermore, they continue to be entangled with events
beyond their borders.
Chad and the CAR are ranked low on the 2010 Ibrahim
Index on African Governance, and elections in either country
do not necessarily indicate good governance or guaranteed
future stability. The CAR’s incumbent leader, President
François Bozizé, came to power in a military coup in 2003
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