The Peacebuilding Centre for the Horn of Africa (PCHA) endeavors to develop the capacity and performance of national associations, political parties and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), by promoting institutional forms of action, goal oriented planning and a strategic commitment to sensible policy responses. Often local organizations lack effective structures or basic administrative skills and therefore remain weak, incapable of stimulating social, political or economic change. The Centre, an independent initiative of private citizens from the Horn of Africa, is an affiliate of a non-profit trust fund, the Sudan Strategic Studies Trust (SSST).  SSST is registered in the United Kingdom and Eritrea as an independent non-governmental organization (NGO) and is concerned with peace building and stability. While maintaining a regional focus, PCHA will pay particular attention to organizations in those countries undergoing severe crisis, namely Somalia and Sudan.

State policies in Somalia and Sudan have not only bred instability and conflicts but also undermined civil society, its institutions and various organizations, including political parties, trade unions, women’s, student’s and professional associations. Armed militia groups have been able to galvanize popular support by standing up for their communities’ grievances against the historical processes of marginalization and brutal repression by the central authority. Therefore, any future opportunities to reconstruct the collapsed state in Somalia or advance Sudan’s hard won Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), consolidate stability and ensure democratic transformation in the entire region, largely depend on the following:

b.    Transforming armed protest movements into broad based effective groups capable of addressing popular grievances, inspiring communities and responding to their needs.   Indeed, sustainable peace, development and stability in the Horn are linked to an increase in institutionalized collective efforts which are capable of designing programs and strategies that engage their communities. Failing this, protest groups run the risk of becoming tools for fanaticism, racism, instability and chaos.               

1. Offering opportunities for functional training to organizations in the marginalized regions of the Horn through short (2-3 weeks) ‘training of trainers’ courses and workshops. These programs will be offered to mid-rank activists in indigenous languages. Training will promote technical and administrative abilities necessary for establishing effective bodies of civil society through improved organizational and communication skills, including:

• drafting organizational constitutions and by-laws, upgrading office administration and accounting techniques and the use of information technology.
• writing briefs, memos/strategic position papers, situation analysis/ critical assessment of policy options.
• preparation, participation monitoring elections.
• social change, leadership and gender.

• Publish occasional policy analysis papers on strategic changes in the Horn of Africa.
• Issue a bimonthly news- analysis bulletin of important political and economic changes in the region.

3. The Centre will sponsor round table discussions for specialists and invited guests from within the region and abroad. The provision of such a forum for dialogue about peace building, conflict resolution development and long term stability is designed to expose participants to new ideas and perspectives on challenges facing the Horn communities.

Administrative StructureThe organizational structure of PCHA consists of a Board of Trustees which appoints an executive administration, formulates general policies and approves names of associates and experts.  In its initial stage the Centre has three full time volunteers and four associates coordinating a network of experts throughout countries of the region and beyond. During June 2006, following initial registration in Eritrea, PCHA undertook pilot training activities pending completion of administrative, legal and financial Procedures. 

Asmara, May 2006.