News from RVI
Debate Continues Over Uganda Army Role in South Sudan Conflict
Speakers at a Nairobi forum sponsored by the Rift Valley Institute expressed concern for the future of South Sudan following a ceasefire agreement brokered in Addis Ababa late last week. Participants also raised issues concerning the presence of Ugandan forces in the conflict. The negotiations were held by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the […]
Civil Society Seeks Citizens’ Representation In Peace Talks
On Friday 10 January leading South Sudanese civil society institutions came together to discuss the current situation [in South Sudan]… According to David Deng, Director of Research at the South Sudan Law Society, human rights violations in the past and the lack of accountability create room for further violations if the perpetrators are not punished… He said […]
Great Lakes Course 2012
The third Great Lakes Course was held in Bujumbura, Burundi from 7 to 13 July. The Director of Studies was Jason Stearns, also director of RVI’s Usalama Project and author of the acclaimed Dancing in the Glory of Monsters. The Deputy Director of Studies was Emily Paddon, Trudeau Scholar and Lecturer in International Relations at the University of […]
Livelihood concerns as Kenya kicks off regional infrastructure project
A report from IRIN, published in the Sunday Nation, on a meeting convened by the RVI Nairobi Forum to discuss plans for a Lamu Port and South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor. The LAPSSET project includes a port in Lamu, a 1,500km standard-gauge railway line from Lamu to Nakodok along the Kenya and South Sudan border, oil pipelines […]
The Future of Humanitarian Action
In June the Nairobi Forum hosted a consultation on the future of humanitarian action in the Horn of Africa and East Africa with the Feinstein International Centre at Tufts University and InterAction. The Forum also held a book launch for The Golden Fleece: Manipulation and Independence in Humanitarian Action (Kumarian 2012) edited by Antonio Donini (Feinstein International Centre).
Hargeisa International Book Fair
The sixth Hargeysa International Book Fair took place in Somaliland from 16-21 August 2013. Organized by the Redsea Online Culture Foundation in partnership with Kayd Somali Arts and Culture, the fair promotes arts and literature through public readings, panel discussions and creative writing competitions, and is particularly concerned to promote the engagement of young people. […]
Somalia CEWERU Conflict Assessment
A launch event for the Somalia Conflict Early Response Unit took place at the Nairobi Forum on 7 November 2013. From the Bottom up: Southern Regions—Perspectives through conflict analysis and key political actor’s mapping of Gedo, Middle Juba, Lower Juba, and Lower Shabelle is a conflict assessment designed to improve understanding of events in southern […]
Is Somalia Ready for Foreign Investment?
Private sector development is crucial to generating employment, stimulating livelihoods, and the provision of basic services in Somalia. Nevertheless, Somalia remains a challenging environment for most Somali and foreign investors. An analysis of market potentials and business strategy, and an understanding of local business practice is necessary. This meeting, organised by HanVard Africa and the Nairobi Forum […]
Somalia’s Puntland State: What Next?
On Friday 7 February 2014, the Nairobi Forum of the Rift Valley Institute (RVI) convened a meeting on the new political dispensation in the Puntland State of Somalia. Speakers and participants discussed issues around transition of power, ethnicity, constitution, and border conflict with Somaliland, piracy and relations with the Federal Government of Somalia. The meeting […]