Events
African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO) - 8th Edition: Mediation in African Internal Conflicts
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The Policy Center for the New South is organizing the 8th edition of the African Peace and Security Annual Conference (APSACO), which will be held this year under the theme “Mediation in African Internal Conflicts”. APSACO brings together experts from different parts of the world, fields, and professions to promote high-level conversations on peace and security in Africa. This annual conference provides a platform for the analysis of Africa’s peace and security structures and institutions, focusing on the continent’s assets, history, and its ability to overcome current and emerging challenges and gain global competitive advantage.
The persistent conflict hotspots in Africa, ranging from West Africa's Sahel to the Horn of Africa, continue to pose challenges despite efforts from various African, regional, and international bodies. These conflicts often stem from internal political transitions, escalating into civil wars or crises. The emergence of armed rebellions, terrorist networks, and mercenaries further exacerbates regional instability.
Mediation efforts by actors such as the African Union (AU), in alignment with UN standards but drawing from African traditions, aim to resolve conflicts. However, civil society's role in mediation remains inadequate, and the governance of mediation faces political and institutional hurdles due to leadership fragmentation and divergent national interests within the AU.
To enhance mediation, cooperation between the AU and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) is crucial, guided by the principle of subsidiarity. Involving civilian actors in negotiations and implementing peace agreements could improve their effectiveness. Additionally, the strategic partnership between the UN and AU needs better leveraging of their respective strengths to maximize their impact in conflict resolution.
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Monday, June 10th, 2024 |
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14:15 – 14:45 |
Registration & Welcome Coffee |
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14:45 – 15:00 |
APSACO Mobile Application Presentation Sabrine Emran, Economist, Policy Center for the New South |
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15:00 – 15:15 |
Introductory Remarks Abdelhak Bassou, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Rachid El Houdaigui, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South |
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15:15 – 16:30 |
Panel 1: Mechanisms and Approaches to Mediation in Internal Conflicts This panel will explore innovative strategies and specific mediation mechanisms for internal conflicts in Africa, seeking to understand and resolve complex challenges. Emphasis will be placed on solutions tailored to the African context and on promoting sustainable peace, drawing on the achievements and limitations of institutional mechanisms, and ongoing or completed mediation processes. What are the institutional and political challenges confronting mediation in Africa? How can the effectiveness of African actors in mediation be improved? What are some new African mediation practices? Moderator: Mohammed Loulichki, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Jean-Hervé Jezequel, Project Director, International Crisis Group Kabiné Komara, Former Prime Minister, Republic of Guinea Ajay Sethi, Senior Advisor, Ceasefire and security arrangements, Mediation Support Unit, United Nations Lassina Zerbo, Former Prime Minister of Burkina Faso |
| 16:30 – 17:00 | Coffee Break |
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17:00 – 18:15 |
Panel 2: Innovation for Better Coordination of Local, National, Regional, and International Processes This panel calls for reflections on the innovations needed to strengthen coordination between local, national, regional, and UN levels, aiming to enhance the effectiveness of mediation processes. The objective is to develop more integrated approaches for more effective, coordinated, and non-competitive conflict management. What avenues exist for better integrating AU, REC, and UN mediation approaches? How can traditional norms be consolidated in the mediation process? What synergies can be found between AU leadership, REC primacy, the utility of civil society, and the sovereignty of conflict-affected states? Moderator: SÂ Benjamin Traoré, Associate Professor, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University Speakers: Paul-Simon Handy, Regional Director East Africa, Representative to the African Union Ahmedou Ould Abdallah, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Islamic Republic of Mauritania Loredana Teodorescu, Head of the Mediterranean Women Mediators Network Norman Sempijja, Associate Professor, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University |
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Tuesday, June 11th, 2024 |
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09:00 – 09:45 |
Welcome Coffee |
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09:45 – 10:00 |
APSACO Mobile Application Presentation Sabrine Emran, Economist, Policy Center for the New South |
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10:00 – 11:15 |
Panel 3: Regional Perspectives on Internal Crises in the Sahelo-Saharan Region The panel aims to gain a nuanced understanding of the challenges hindering mediation efforts in countries undergoing internal challenges and facing a transition period, such as Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It seeks to identify the conditions and options conducive to fostering peace and stability in the Sahel. By examining crises in the region, the panel will explore valuable lessons and effective mediation strategies that are aimed at preventing its fragmentation. Furthermore, it will assess the roles of both regional and international actors in supporting these efforts and ensuring their success and sustainability. What lessons can be learned from crises in the Sahel? What mediation strategies are in place and proposed to ensure a smooth transition to constitutional rule? Moderator: Mounia Boucetta, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Speakers: Abdelhak Bassou, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Shawn E. Holtz, Deputy Director of AFRICOM/J5 Rida Lyammouri, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Issaka Ouedraogo, Director, Sahel Politica |
| 11:15 – 11:45 | Coffee Break |
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11:45 – 13:00 |
Panel 4: African Civil Society and Strengthening Ceasefires This panel will explore the crucial role of African civil society in ceasefire processes, focusing on its proactive role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Participants will discuss the value of inclusive peace processes at different stages of ceasefire negotiations and implementation. What formal means can boost the participation of political parties, NGOs, women, and young people in ceasefire and peace negotiation processes? Moderator: Kidane Kiros, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Speakers: Saïd Abass Ahamed, Director, Thinking Africa Oumar Ba, Associate Expert, Les Afriques dans le monde Judith van den Boogert, Mediator and Dialogue Facilitator in Social and Conflict Transformation, Independent Mohamed Jeghllaly, Mediation Advisor, HD Centre |
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14:30 – 15:45 |
Panel 5: Valuing African Skills and Expertise for a Common Mediation Approach This panel will highlight African skills and expertise in mediation, aiming to develop a common and collaborative approach. Emphasis will be placed on enhancing and valuing regional skills to strengthen mediation capacities in Africa. Concrete recommendations for a training program could emerge from this panel, to be further developed among the AU, RECs, and think tanks. Why and how should the African knowledge community (think tanks, research centers, universities) strengthen and pool their knowledge and training capacities in mediation? Moderator: Nouzha Chekrouni, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Speakers: Ibrahim Abusheriah, Professor, Sebha University David Anetey Akrong, Deputy Commandant, The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center – KAIPTC Ahmed Mahmoud Dahan, Director, IMES |
| 15:45 – 16:15 | Coffee Break |
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16:15 – 17:30 |
Report Presentation – Annual Report on the African Geopolitics Moderator: Mohamed Brick, Program Officer, Policy Center for the New South Speakers: Imen Chaanbi, Deputy Secretary General, Geostrategic Observatory of Geneva Khalid Chegraoui, Senior Fellow, Policy Center for the New South Abdou Cissé, Journalist, APA News Discussants: Enrico Castello, Analyst, NATO Strategic Direction South-Hub |
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17:30 – 17:45 |
Closing Remarks Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President, Policy Center for the New South |
