The African Union Mediation Support Capacity Project
CMI supports the African Union in responding to conflicts on the continent through preventative diplomacy and peace mediation.
The African Union Mediation Support Capacity Project, launched in 2009, was designed by and is implemented in collaboration with the African Union’s Conflict Management Division (AU CMD), the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) and Crisis Management Initiative (CMI).
The joint project aims to strengthen the mediation support capacity of the African Union. It is undertaken in support of a larger AU initiative serving this goal, involving the UN Mediation Support Unit and several other partners.
These partners are supporting the development of an AU mediation policy by conducting analysis, generating knowledge on African and relevant international mediation practice, conducting training courses and supporting mediation field missions.
The anticipated impact of the larger initiative is enhanced African conflict prevention and mediation capacity and practices, ultimately aimed at promoting sustainable peace, security and development on the African continent.
CMI's role in the joint AU-ACCORD-CMI project
CMI works with the African Union in deepening expertise on thematic issues of relevance to mediation on the African continent. CMI also contributes towards development of an African Union roster of thematic experts available to support the AU mediation interventions.
CMI also works to create an African network of mediation practitioners that can link African Track II organisations with the African Union and Regional Economic Communities (RECs). Within the project framework, CMI also produces short video clips that aim to share good mediation practices for the purpose of training, information and advocacy.
The project is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
Project related documents and links
2011
- Mapping of West African Non-state Actors Active in the field of Mediation/Conflict Resolution / Identification des acteurs non-étatiques en Afrique de L'Ouest actifs dans le domaine de la médiation/résolution des conflits
- Summary report of expert seminar ” Towards Implementing the Recommendations of the Report of the AU Panel of the Wise on Election-Related Disputes and Political Violence” held in Addis Ababa, 30-31 March 2011
- Summary report of thematic expert seminar “Power Sharing in Africa: What Role for the African Union?” held in Addis Ababa, 12-13 April 2011
2010
- Summary report of thematic expert meeting held in Addis Ababa on July 15-16, 2010: “Peace and Justice: Challenges and Way Forward for the African Union” here
- Summary report of thematic expert meeting held in Addis Ababa on September 23-24, 2010.” Inclusive Peace: Debating the African Union Mandate for Enhanced Women Participation in Peace Mediation” here
- Summary report of thematic expert meeting held in Addis Ababa on July 15-16, 2010: “Resource-based Conflicts and Strategies for the African Union Mediators” here
- Background paper “Reflection on African Union Frameworks for Women’s Participation in Peacemaking” prepared by independent consultant Joyce Laker for CMI’s thematic expert seminar held in Addis Ababa September 23-24, 2010 here
- Background paper “Resource-based conflicts and Strategies for African Union Mediators” prepared by independent consultant Dr. Tim Murithi for CMI’s thematic expert seminar held in Addis Ababa on November 22-23, 2010 here
Video clips related to the AU project:
AU Mediation 5: Peace and Justice in Mediation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YORMw-VI9oI
AU Mediation 4: Women in Mediation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIEpQlGTwcg
AU Mediation 3: Impartiality in Mediation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79BPRFdXAqY
AU Mediation 2: African Way of Mediation
AU Mediation 1: AU is Building Its Mediation Support Capacity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r7g0qvNhFY