NEW YORK, New York — Enacted nearly five years ago, the Global Fragility Act aims to direct U.S. aid towards stabilizing conflict-prone areas and preventing future unrest. If reauthorized, programming from the Global Fragility Act will continue to receive vital funding and strategies will continue to be implemented that strengthen the fostering of global peace.
What is the Global Fragility Act?
The Global Fragility Act of 2019 called for the combined efforts of relevant U.S. government agencies towards a critical goal — the stabilization of conflict-affected zones, the prevention of global violence and improved coordination with international organizations to address these concerns. The law mandated the creation of a 10-year Global Fragility Strategy, with objectives such as:
- Causes: Consider what is behind violence, locally and nationally, and what factors contribute to the instability. Importantly, the strategy addresses the fundamental causes of conflict through motions such as locally-led programs, inclusive dialogue and seeking to empower marginalized communities.
- Objectives: Outline specific measures and programs that will work to achieve stabilization. Particularly, those that look to enhance the relationship between a state and its citizens, as well as work to counter the potential rise in extremist ideologies.
- Encourage Key Actors: Engage national and local governments, civil society, and international partners to build community strength against conflict.
- Federal Coordination: Effectively monitor and assign roles to relevant U.S. agencies, such as the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of Treasury and any additional department the President deems necessary.
The areas of focus for the 10-year strategy are Mozambique, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Libya and Coastal West Africa (Ghana, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea).
In 2020, several key U.S. government agencies released the United States Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability as a part of the Global Fragility Strategy request, outlining four main goals:
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- Prevention of conflict before it occurs
- Stabilization methods that will work to remedy current conflict and encourage the input of marginalized groups
- Partnerships with other organizations to foster a stable environment for vulnerable areas
- Management of U.S. taxpayer dollars to create tangible outcomes
What the Global Fragility Act’s Reauthorization Will Improve
Last month, Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and John James (R-MI-10) introduced a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Global Fragility Act. If passed, the Prevention & Stabilization Fund (PSF) and the Complex Crisis Fund (CCF) will also be reauthorized. This critical legislation comes at a time when growing global conflict is driving displacement and humanitarian crises, with 117 million people forcibly displaced globally and 300 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2024.
Representative James explained, “The Global Fragility Act is a critically important tool to tackle rising instability throughout the world and especially in Africa. This legislation will reauthorize the two accounts that fund the Global Fragility Act until 2029 and will allow programs to be considered on the long-term timeline intended by the original legislation.”
The PSF, which President Biden requested $114.5 million worth of funding for 2024, currently funds the Global Fragility Act in four of the five focus areas chosen. The CCF, at a $60 million request, is in place to address unexpected crises in unstable countries, as well as to fund long-term development programs.
Initially regarded as a “game changer,” the Global Fragility Act received criticism for a lack of haste in implementation, largely due to disagreements between Congress and the Biden Administration over country selection for the areas of focus. However, under reauthorization, a senior Global Fragility Act Steering Committee meeting is required to take place annually to coordinate shared goals.
“Americans are safer when there’s less conflict and violence around the world, but the U.S. approach to addressing conflict has often been misguided and costly … and in some cases, has worsened conflict,” said Representative Jacobs. “The Global Fragility Act sought to correct these mistakes and implement an innovative, whole-of-government approach to prevent, minimize, and respond to conflict and instability.”
Looking Forward
Non-governmental organizations such as the Alliance for Peacebuilding and the Mercy Corps continue to work closely with Congress on the progression of the Global Fragility Act, having remained key actors since co-leading a coalition of more than 100 organizations including The Borgen Project to push for its implementation.
As the need for the reauthorization of the Global Fragility Act approaches, its potential to stabilize fragile regions remains critical. The passing of this law not only secures the continuation of necessary funding, but requires greater commitment amongst government agencies to ensure that the Global Fragility Act is being properly enacted. Addressing violence and fragility in struggling nations creates a stable environment for people in vulnerable situations and deters terrorism and corruption. Its renewal aims to create a safer environment for vulnerable populations, and in turn, enhance overall global security.
– Olivia Young
Olivia is based in New York, NY, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.
Photo: Flickr