Upcoming event – Session on Conflict Prevention at the Africa Forum on Business and Human Rights
Session:
Preventing
the Vicious Cycle of Environmental Harm and Community Conflict: Lessons from
Mining in Tanzania, Mozambique and Ghana for the Critical Minerals Sector
Date and Time:
Tuesday 29 September from 14h-15h20
Description of session:
As Africa's energy sectors continue to expand, the conversation on business and human rights must recognize the interconnectedness of environmental concerns, conflict prevention, security and human rights. At this year's Africa Forum on Business and Human Rights, discussions will explore how company action to respect the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, can simultaneously reduce risks of grievance, tension, and violence that can emerge when environmental and social impacts are poorly managed.
Together with HakiRasilimali, Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF), Business and Human Rights Tanzania (BHRT) and with support from IPIS – International Peace Information Service, DCAF is organizing a panel that highlights how environmental degradation, land disputes, water insecurity, and inadequate consultation can become drivers of community grievances and instability. Strengthening human rights and environmental due diligence, protecting access to remedy, and ensuring that affected communities have a meaningful voice in decision-making are essential foundations for conflict prevention.
Drawing on lessons learned from the mining sectors in Ghana, Tanzania, and Mozambique, the discussion will examine:
- How environmental impacts can contribute to community grievances and conflict when safeguards are weak
- The role of meaningful community participation, transparency, and accountability in building trust
- How security arrangements of mining operations affects human rights outcomes and community-company relations
- Pathways for ensuring that Africa's critical minerals transition is inclusive, sustainable, conflict-sensitive, and rights-respecting
Speakers:
Moderators:
1. Valérie Petitpierre, Senior Adviser for the Sahel, DCAF – Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
2. Francis Mkasiwa, Research and Policy Officer, HakiRasilimali
Speakers:
1. Philemon Mponezy, Principal Investigation Officer, Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance Tanzania (CHRAGG)
2. Fidelia Chemane, Executive Director, Centre for Learning and Capacity Building of Civil Society, Mozambique
3. Mieke Thierens, Researcher, International Peace Information Service (IPIS)
4. George Anyema, Director, Security & Human Rights, AngloGold Ashanti Iduapriem Mine
Join us in Dakar on Day 1 of the Forum – September 29!
https://www.bhrafricaforum.org/
