Cross-border cooperation project between Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia for sustainable peace and social cohersion
Start & End Date: 2017-2018
Country/Countries: Cote d'Ivoire, Liberia
Multilateral Institution(s) Involved: United Nations Development Programme, International Organization for Migration
The Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia cross-border project intervention area context is described as one that is characterized by recurrent crises since 2002. In 2014 existing tensions and incidents of violence in border communities were accompanied by a substantiial decrease in interactions due to the emergence and spread of the Ebola virus disease, thus eroding social cohesion even further. Following elections in 2016 and 2017 in Liberia as well as Cote d'Ivoire, tensions re-emerged in cross-border communities betenn indigenous and non-indigenous populations. The project was developed to address these challenges and increase cooperation and trust between Ivorian and Liberian border communities through the strenghtening of border security, and mitigation of potential escalation of conflicts and regional destabilization, thereby contributing to improved community engagement, social cohesion and peaceful coexistence.
Increase trust between security forces and border communities through capacity building of joint local and cross-boder mechanisms as well as increased cooperation. Support social cohesion and peaceful coexistence within cross-border communities through frameworks for dialogue between cross-border communities and the strengthening of cooperation between local conflict resolution mechanisms and socio-economic and cultural exchanges. The project was implemented by the UNDP and IOM.
The project has contributed to an increased cooperation and trust between Ivorian and Liberian border communities due to strenghtened border and human security as well as mitigating potential intra - and - inter community conflict escalation and regional destabilization through community egagement and cross-border socio-cultural contact for peaceful co-existence.