The National launch of the CSVRA at BICC
Malawi has embarked on an important journey of self-assessment and resilience building through its participation in the Country Structural Vulnerability and Resilience Assessment (CSVRA) process. This initiative, designed by the African Union (AU) in collaboration with Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs), is a voluntary tool aimed at identifying and addressing structural causes of conflict, highlighting resilience factors, and developing strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities.
THE CSVRA PROCESS: A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT
Malawi acceded to the CSVRA process in 2023, marking a colossal step in the country’s commitment to peace and security. The CSVRA process involves a comprehensive methodology to:
- Identify structural causes of conflict.
- Identify factors that promote resilience.
- Formulate actionable mitigation measures.
Partners supporting the CSVRA process in Malawi include the African Union (AU), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), African Centre for Constructive Resolution of Conflicts (ACCORD), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
KEY MILESTONES ACHIEVED
Since 2023, Malawi has made progress in implementing the CSVRA process, with several key activities:
- Training of Malawian institutions: Institutions were trained on the CSVRA process, laying the foundation for local expertise and ownership. These included Government, civil society, private sector and media among others.
- Establishment of a Bureau: A dedicated bureau was set up to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the CSVRA process. The Bureau is being hosted technically by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Department of Economic Planning
- Training of Trainers (ToT): A capacity-building session for country teams is held annually to lead the implementation process and profile the tool at country. Malawi has participated in two ToTs so far and benefited massively by shared experiences during the meeting. The 2024 ToT was held in Malawi.
- Roadmap Development: A roadmap was formulated to guide the CSVRA implementation in Malawi. Subsequently, a consultant was identified to lead the process in Malawi.
- Regional Consultations and National Launch: Consultations were conducted across the country’s regions to gather insights from diverse stakeholders. These were followed by a national launch to galvanize national efforts.
RECENT ACTIVITIES (DECEMBER 2024)
The culmination of the CSVRA process in 2024 saw a series of significant events:
- 9 December 2024: A briefing on the CSVRA process was conducted, and regional consultation teams were dispatched.
- 10-14 December 2024: Regional consultations took place in the north, center, south, and east regions of Malawi, engaging local stakeholders.
- 16 December 2024: Field data from the regional consultations were consolidated.
- 17 December 2024 (Morning): The national launch of the CSVRA was officiated by Honourable Nancy Tembo, M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC).
- 17-18 December 2024: National consultations were held at BICC, involving key stakeholders from various sectors.
- 19 December 2024: A review of the entire process was conducted, and the way forward was charted.
LOOKING AHEAD
The CSVRA process equips Malawi with tools to address vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience at both structural and institutional levels. By enhancing collaboration among Government institutions, civil society, and development partners, Malawi is building a foundation for sustainable peace and security.
CONGOMA remains committed to supporting this process by ensuring that NGOs are kept informed through regular updates on its platforms. Malawi’s active participation in the CSVRA reflects a national commitment to bolstering resilience, mitigating conflict, and promoting inclusive development.