Welcome to APSACO’s special newsletter! Wrapping up the second and final day with enlightening discussions on Mediation in African Internal Conflicts. |
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REGIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON INTERNAL CRISES IN THE SAHELO-SAHARAN REGION |
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This panel discussed mediation in the Sahel, focusing on involving key stakeholders to prevent leadership fragmentation and address security challenges. It highlighted ECOWAS's difficulties as a mediator, the complexities of mediating with violent groups, and Mali's role in addressing separatist movements. Recommendations included aligning foreign interests, fostering internal unity, building local capacity, and tackling root causes like state corruption and climate-driven instability.
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Can Mediation Solve West African Conflicts?
Our Senior Fellow, Mr. Abdelhak Bassou, highlighted the complexity of conflicts in West Africa, involving a multitude of actors. He emphasized the tensions between the member states of the Sahel Alliance (AES) and ECOWAS. Additionally, he questioned the effectiveness of mediation with terrorist groups, noting that Mali, struggling with the separatist movement in Azawad, is exploring new intermediaries. The divergent interests of foreign powers further contribute to this growing complexity.
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| How Can Diplomacy Strengthen Global Security Challenges?
Mr. Shawn E. Holtz, Deputy Director of AFRICOM/J5, emphasized the importance of 3D diplomacy (diplomacy, development, defense) and building partner nation capacity. He highlighted AFRICOM's efforts to address security challenges and climate change impacts through the State Partnership Program, transparent communication during troop withdrawals, and local security solutions, while avoiding direct mediation roles. |
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Why Did International Efforts Fail to Address Terrorism in Mali?
Our Senior Fellow, Mr. Rida Lyammouri, emphasized that terrorism and extremism in Mali stem from systemic issues and divisive state tactics. Corruption within the military and society exacerbates these challenges, while international efforts falter due to a lack of regional understanding. He recommends internal unity, dialogue, and addressing local grievances for security and economic opportunities. Quick wins, like targeted training and equipment provision in rural areas, are essential.
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| How Can Mediation in African Conflicts Achieve Both Efficiency and Legitimacy?
Mr. Issaka Ouedraogo, Director of Sahel Politica, reflected on past mediation efforts, emphasizing the need to balance efficiency and legitimacy by adjusting the number of participants based on the context. He highlighted the importance of including women and youth and acknowledges the influential role of civil society, as seen in Sudan, and the mechanisms provided by the African Union for civil society participation. |
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AFRICAN CIVIL SOCIETY AND STRENGTHENING CEASEFIRES |
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This panel highlighted the crucial role of civil society in post-conflict resolution, enhancing mediation effectiveness and peacebuilding sustainability. Including diverse actors like women, youth, and local leaders, supported by African Union mechanisms, is essential. Civil society often steps in where international organizations fall short, particularly in humanitarian aid and internal conflicts. |
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How to Strengthen Civil Society Participation in Mediation Processes?
According to Mr. Saïd Abass Ahamed, Director of Thinking Africa, it is important to reduce the number of participants in mediations to achieve concrete results and to increase them for greater legitimacy, as in Liberia. Civil society plays a key role in promoting dialogue and combating violence and can exert significant pressure on political actors, as seen in Sudan. It is crucial to include more women and young people. The African Union offers mechanisms for their participation.
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| What Role for Civil Society in Mediation?
Mr. Oumar Ba, Associate Expert at Les Afriques dans le Monde, has closely examined the concept of civil society and its distinction from political parties in terms of objectives. A misinterpretation of civil society can undermine the search for effective solutions. Examples such as the failure of the Algiers Accords in Mali and the Cairo conference in 2023 highlight the challenges facing the world. He also stressed the imperative of adequate funding, according to UN estimates.
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How does involving local actors improve peace agreements?
Mrs. Judith van den Boogert emphasized the importance of including trusted key players like community leaders in peace processes, strategic thinking, and listening to all stakeholders. She noted challenges such as securing financial support and involving all actors. Her experience in South Sudan in 2015 underscored the necessity of local actor involvement for successful peace implementation. |
| How Important is Civil Society in Mediation?
Mr. Mohamed Jeghllaly, Mediation Advisor at the HD Centre, highlights the importance of civil society when official mediators fail, as was the case in Tunisia. Civil society is often the first to intervene in humanitarian crises and helps legitimize actions in internal conflicts, such as in Sudan. He recommends clarifying its roles and promoting its specialization. |
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VALUING AFRICAN SKILLS AND EXPERTISE FOR A COMMON MEDIATION APPROACH |
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This panel emphasized a unified approach to African mediation, leveraging local practices and networks like women mediators. Key points included avoiding money in mediation, as seen in Libya, and the importance of skill development. Examples from Gambia and Nigeria showed the impact of key individuals. Recommendations focused on involving traditional leaders, supporting women and youth, and investing in capacity-building. The panel stressed self-reliance and adapting traditional customs to modern state values.
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| What Are the Mediation Challenges in Libya?
Mr. Ibrahim Abusheriah, Professor at the University of Sebha, warns against the use of money in mediations in Libya. In Gambia and Nigeria, examples of reconciliation and the suspension of political processes have involved interventions by the academic community and ordinary individuals. In Libya, foreign interventions complicate the situation, but individual mediation successes have been observed. |
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African Solutions to African Problems?
Mr. David Anetey Akrong, Deputy Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), advocated for African solutions to the continent's challenges, emphasizing the effectiveness of indigenous approaches and the importance of including women and youth in conflict resolution. He also called for strengthening capacities and reflecting on the funding of these initiatives. |
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How to enhance Cohesion in Africa?
Mr. Ahmed Mahmoud Dahan, Director of IMES, emphasized that internal conflicts deplete national resources in Africa, compelling states to choose between security and development despite their abundant natural resources. He recommended adapting traditions to align with modern values, utilizing traditional chiefs as mediators to reinforce cohesion, and recognizing the importance of religious and traditional leaders while integrating mediation mechanisms into the judicial system.
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REPORT PRESENTATION – ANNUAL REPORT ON THE AFRICAN GEOPOLITICS |
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This panel, in its presentation of the Annual Report on African Geopolitics, highlighted how foreign interference intensifies conflicts, stressing the critical importance of inclusive dialogue and local empowerment in fostering enduring peace and sovereignty.
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Libya: What future for a divided country?
Ms. Imen Chaanbi, Deputy Secretary General of the Geostrategic Observatory of Geneva, highlighted that since 2014, the civil war in Libya has been worsened by foreign interference. Russia, Egypt, and the UAE support Haftar, while Qatar and Turkey back the militias. The fight over energy resources has split the country into two governments. Despite the 2020 ceasefire and UN efforts, instability remains. |
| Crisis in the Sahel: Is a holistic Approach Essential?
Our Senior Fellow, Mr. Khalid Chegraoui, has linked the worsening tensions in the Sahel to the proliferation of the arms market in the region. Western interventions, often poorly adapted to local conditions, face this complexity. The resurgence of Sankarism, reflecting a desire to reclaim indigenous values amid the weakening of the state, presents challenges. An inclusive approach, which listens to local narratives, seems necessary, but regional conflicts persist, illustrating the difficulties in reconciling national interests.
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Senegal: Towards a Strong Democracy?
Mr. Abdou Cissé, a journalist at APA News, explained that Senegal has undergone a turbulent political history, evolving from a strong one-party regime to a multiparty democracy. Despite facing periods of repression and tension, the country has successfully managed political transitions, notably through peaceful transfers of power. In 2024, President Macky Sall, under pressure, renounced a bid for a third term, showcasing Senegal's resilient democracy.
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| What future for Libya?
Mr. Enrico Castello, an analyst at NATO's Strategic Direction South-Hub, has explored a fifth scenario for peace in Libya, balancing the politics of interests and values. Democratic representation is at stake as local leaders appear to fluctuate between defending their communities and serving an elite, emphasizing the crucial role of citizen participation for sustainable stability. |
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During his closing remarks, our Executive President, Mr. Karim El Aynaoui, characterized mediation as both an art and a method, underscoring the essential qualities of curiosity, empathy, and long-term commitment. He advocated for a harmonious integration of macroeconomic strategies and geopolitical realities in fostering Africa's development, noting the continent's evolving perception as a land of opportunity. He emphasized the imperative of constructing local and Atlantic narratives to shape Africa’s future.
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