ACCORD, in partnership with the African Union Commission’s (AUC’s) Mediation and Dialogue Division (MDD), held a Technical Experts Meeting to develop a Roadmap for the Review and Revision of the AU’s Advanced Mediation Handbook and Training Manual from 19-20 March 2025 in Durban, South Africa.
The meeting convened representatives from the AUC’s MDD, AU Liaison Office staff supporting specific AU mediation and/or peace processes, Gender and Child Protection experts from the AUC’s Conflict Management Directorate (CMD), and other mediation experts to support the revision of the Mediation Handbook.
The AU Mediation Support Handbook has served as a reference and field guide for mediation teams and lead mediators on AU missions. It provides a structured framework for mediators to understand the necessary mechanisms, tasks, and tools required for effective conflict resolution. ACCORD supported the AU in executing the AU Mediation Support Capacity Project Phase II (2012–14).
Opening the meeting, Dr Akok Mandut, Head of MDD, highlighted the need to revise AU’s mediation strategies in response to the new conflict trends emerging in the African continent. He further emphasized the importance of mainstreaming gender and child protection in mediation strategies.
Echoing his statement, Dr Vasu Gounden, Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, highlighted the changing nature of the mediation environment and the need for mediators to blend technical expertise with political understanding. He urged the workshop participants to consider both the art and science of mediation when going through the revision of the Handbook.
Experts and representatives of the AU reflected in the 2014 AU Mediation Handbook. They focused on identifying its purpose and target audience. An understanding of its purpose and its audience will help to maintain the relevance of the handbook.
Furthermore, key recommendations emerged from the meeting including the need to include Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in the consultation towards revising the handbook, updating case studies and mainstreaming gender and children’s protection. Participants stressed that gender and children protection must be integrated throughout the mediation process – from the preparation phase to post-mediation.
The insights and recommendations gathered will shape the revision of the AU Mediation Support Handbook. This will help to ensure the Handbook remains reflective of the evolving conflict dynamics and best practices in peace mediation. This initiative aligns with ACCORD’s objective of enhancing the institutional responses of the AU and RECs to complex conflicts.
