IPIS: Research for Peace in Sub-Saharan Africa

ICoCA CSO Member since September 2024

Bridging Research and Action

The International Peace Information Service (IPIS) is an independent research institute dedicated to fostering durable peace, sustainable development and the protection of human rights through tailored information, analysis, capacity enhancement and policy advice. Based in Antwerp, Belgium with additional offices in Arusha, Tanzania and Bukavu, DRC, IPIS employs a team of 22 professionals.

IPIS operates across several thematic areas, including natural resources, armed conflict motives, business and human rights and international arms transfers. It aims to be a centre of excellence in field-based research, providing comprehensive insights into the exploitation of natural resources and the interplay between conflict and development.

• The Natural Resources programme brings in-depth research on the exploitation of natural resources, linking them to conflict and its financing, development, environment, human rights and governance.
• The Arms Trade & Security  programme analyses the opaque international arms trade and its consequences, shedding light on the dynamics of conflict and underdevelopment in the region. It investigates the logistical chains and infrastructure that facilitate arms flows, providing recommendations to mitigate the proliferation of arms in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• The Conflict Mapping programme aims to map the various motives of conflict actors. A significant portion of this research is dedicated to the collection of reliable field data and its visualisation into cartographic materials.
• The Business & Human Rights programme addresses corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the role of the private sector in the focus region. Over the years, the potential of private companies to generate wealth and promote peace, as well as to contribute to conflict and inequality, has become evident. The research focuses on all aspects of sustainable development, respect for human rights and the implementation of self-regulatory and legal frameworks.

IPIS collaborates closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations and community representatives, fostering a dynamic environment of mutual learning, knowledge exchange and capacity enhancement. “Through these partnerships, IPIS enhances local expertise in research, monitoring and advocacy, empowering stakeholders to address critical governance challenges”, emphasises Jan Leysen, Programme Manager at IPIS.

Innovative Approaches to Data Collection

IPIS has developed unique expertise in collaborative data collection within complex and remote environments, focusing on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). It provides comprehensive data on ASM sites, identifying areas prone to conflict, human rights abuses and environmental degradation.

“A notable feature of IPIS’s methodology is its use of geospatial research and field mapping”, explains Mr. Leysen. Through detailed, interactive maps, IPIS documents issues such as artisanal mining locations, armed groups’ presence and reported human rights violations. “This field-based data collection is essential for visualising and understanding local dynamics”, he adds.

By working directly with local civil society organisations, researchers and communities, as well as international actors, IPIS ensures its findings are grounded in on-the-ground realities, empowering local stakeholders. Additionally, IPIS prioritises public accessibility, making its findings publicly available through various open data dashboards and web maps. These resources enable users, including policymakers and human rights advocates, to explore conflict, mining and trade dynamics, facilitating informed decision-making.

Enhancing Governance in the Mining Sector

IPIS has a longstanding commitment to researching the security and governance of artisanal and small-scale mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and the Central African Republic. Increasingly, IPIS researches environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices of large-scale mining companies in the gold diamond and cobalt sectors, particularly regarding their impacts on surrounding communities. This research analyses the complex relationships between artisanal and small-scale miners, mining-affected communities and industrial companies, often involving the roles of private security firms. Engaging with ICoCA allows IPIS to deepen its understanding of these dynamics and share findings with a broader network.

In early 2024, IPIS began collaborating with ICoCA to address critical issues related to private security in the mining sector. This partnership was sparked by the publication of their 2023 report “Petra Diamonds’ Attempts to Come Clean with Its Tarnished Past in Tanzania“, which examined the company’s efforts to repair community relations following serious human rights abuses by its private security provider at the Williamson diamond mine in Tanzania. The collaboration was further solidified at the May 2024 OECD Responsible Minerals Forum, where IPIS and ICoCA participated in a panel on “Security and Social License to Operate: Preventing Tensions from Escalating into Conflict”.

Additionally, in mid-2024, IPIS developed a proposal for an EU call aimed at enhancing civic engagement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Titled “Research for Impact – Strengthening Extractive Sector Governance through Evidence-Based Advocacy”, this project involves ICoCA and three other co-applicants. Over 36 months, the initiative aims to bolster economic governance in the DRC’s extractive sector through research, advocacy and the empowerment of Congolese civil society organisations.

Joint Efforts to Confront Mining Sector Challenges

Human rights violations are still prevalent in the mining sector, frequently involving private security actors. Factors such as insufficient community engagement, lack of dedicated zones for ASM and limited alternative economic opportunities foster frustration and drive artisanal miners to operate on concessions held by industrial companies, creating a volatile environment for tensions and conflict – not only in conflict-affected or high-risk areas (CAHRAs).

IPIS aims to leverage ICoCA’s expertise regarding the working conditions and operational procedures of private security personnel.

“This collaboration will help IPIS gain a more comprehensive understanding of the private security landscape, allowing us to better study and monitor security arrangements of mining companies and formulate recommendations for promoting peaceful coexistence within mining communities”, affirms Mr. Leysen.

To learn more about IPIS, visit their website.