IPU: Kalu calls for robust post-war recovery frameworks in Africa

Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on countries across the world to prioritise the development and implementation of robust frameworks for post-war recovery.

The Deputy Speaker made the clarion call in his presentation titled: The Imperative for Strengthened Post-War Management, which was submitted at the ongoing 150th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

He stated that this approach is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity to secure lasting peace and stability in regions scarred by conflict.

Hon. Kalu further stated that only by achieving this objective can the world hope to transform the lessons of the past into a resilient foundation for a peaceful future.

The Deputy Speaker, who was named a co-rapporteur to the IPU’s Standing Committee on Peace and International Security, spoke on The role of parliaments in establishing robust post-conflict management mechanisms and restoring a just and lasting peace, alongside A. Al-Zu’bi of Jordan and Ms. F. Belhirch of the Netherlands. He highlighted the devastating effects of conflicts and wars in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

He said: “Despite multiple peace agreements, sporadic violence persists due to inadequate post-conflict reconstruction and weak governance structures.

“The failure to establish a resilient peacekeeping and reconstruction framework has left Sudan vulnerable to renewed conflict. Economic marginalisation and weak institutions have further impeded sustainable peace, demonstrating the need for stronger mechanisms in post-war management.

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“The DRC has been plagued by conflict since the 1990s, including the First and Second Congo Wars, which have been termed ‘Africa’s World War’ due to their scale and the involvement of multiple neighbouring countries.

“The wars have resulted in over 5 million deaths, primarily due to disease, starvation, and violence. The region continues to experience sporadic conflict, undermining decades of fragile peace efforts.

“Weak post-war governance, pervasive corruption, and insufficient integration of conflict resolution strategies have prevented lasting stability.

“The international community’s inability to enforce comprehensive peace agreements has contributed to an environment where recurring violence is the norm.

“The historical trajectory from World War I to regional conflicts in Sudan and the DRC reveals a persistent pattern: the failure to establish strong post-war management mechanisms results in recurring cycles of violence and instability.

“To break this cycle, the international community, in collaboration with national governments, must prioritise the development and implementation of robust frameworks for post-war recovery.”

Hon. Kalu, who is also the convener of the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), aimed at restoring peace in the South-Eastern part of Nigeria through non-kinetic means, further stated that the experiences of Sudan, the DRC, and indeed other war-torn regions around the world demonstrated that victory in conflict is only the first step in peace initiatives.

To achieve sustainable peace, Hon. Kalu therefore called for institutional strengthening, economic reconstruction, social reconciliation, integration as a healing mechanism, and international support.

“Develop resilient governance structures capable of managing conflict aftermath and fostering inclusive political processes; implement comprehensive economic recovery plans that prioritise rebuilding infrastructure, creating jobs, and reducing inequalities; facilitate dialogue among warring factions and communities to heal historical grievances and promote national unity; establish systems that incorporate previously vanquished groups into the political architecture.

“By creating policies that guarantee their participation in government, societies can mitigate ill-feelings and engender national unity. Such integration not only honours principles of justice but also transforms former grievances into opportunities for inclusive governance and leverage global institutions to provide ongoing support, monitoring, and accountability to ensure that peace agreements are fully implemented,” Hon. Kalu said.

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