The state of peace and reconciliation in Africa
On 31 January 2025 the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Dr Vasu Gounden, was invited to speak at the virtual meeting of the African Union’s (AU’s) Peace and Security Council (PSC). This meeting was dedicated to the “Third Commemoration of the Africa Day of Peace and Reconciliation”. The session aimed to provide an update on the state of peace and reconciliation in Africa. It highlighted the efforts of the AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation and other actors in the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts, in line with the fourth aspiration of AU Agenda 2063, a Peaceful and Secure Africa.
The objectives of the meeting were to (i) Mark the Third Commemoration of the Africa Day of Peace and Reconciliation; (ii) Update and reflect on the efforts of the AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in supporting regional peace process efforts; (iii) Take stock of the AU’s achievements and leadership in mediation and peacemaking processes by highlighting the role of the AU Special Envoys, High Representatives, Panel of the Wise and other mediators in promoting dialogue, reconciliation and national healing; (iv) Promote the AU’s efforts in championing peace and reconciliation in Africa, through mediation, dialogue, and reconciliation processes; and (v) Propose recommendations on enhancing cooperation and complementarity of efforts between the AU Champion, AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) / Regional Mechanisms (RMs), the AU Commission, partners and other actors on the Continent.
The meeting was presided over by H.E. Ambassador Ennio Maes, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire and Chairperson of the AU PSC for January 2025. Participants included all AU member States, RECs/RMs, and AU Organs, representatives of the international community in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Think Tanks, and Civil Society Organisations.
