MEDIA ADVISORY

The 13th High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa

Invitation to the Representatives of the Media

What: The 13th High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa - “Transformative Mediation for Africa’s Effective Governance and Peace Dividends”

When: 21 – 23 October 2022.

Where: Safari Court Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia.

Who: The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC), in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Namibia.

Why: Pursuant to the Constitutive Act of the African Union, particularly, Article 3 (f), on the promotion of “peace, security, and stability on the Continent”, the African Union Commission (AUC) has undertaken various strategic initiatives to support member states in their efforts to prevent and resolve violent conflict. Over the past 12 years, this has included convening the High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability, which has become a prominent forum for Special Envoys, High Representatives and Special Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCCs), and other mediators working in Africa. The Retreat offers a platform for the aforementioned actors and mediation experts to share experiences and best practices; with a view to continuously improve interventions in conflict prevention, management and resolution, on the continent.

Over the years, the Retreat has strategically engaged with timely, contextual and challenging issues, with a particular emphasis on strengthening mediation and dialogue capacities on the continent, and promoting collaboration and complementarity among the various actors. Pursuant to this, and considering the African Union’s continued role leading and/or supporting various mediation, dialogue and other peace processes across the continent, this year’s Retreat will take stock of the AU’s progress in peacemaking, and reflect on how to enhance its role to yield better, broader peace dividends for more sustainable peace and better governance in Africa.

Objectives and Expected Outcomes:

The 13th High-Level Retreat has the following specific objectives:

1. Provide an opportunity for deep reflection on current AU-led or supported mediation and other peace processes, including support to the implementation of peace agreements, towards taking stock of key achievements, lessons learned and best practices;

2. Reflect on how to better coordinate and harmonize ongoing efforts towards enhancing complementarity and better coordination with national, regional and international actors for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness;

3. Strategize on the meaningful inclusion of African women and youth in mediation and other peace processes, culminating in the official launch of the WiseYouth Network;

4. Contribute to the mediation-related knowledge management capacities of the AU through documenting AU experiences in mediation and dialogue, towards informing and strengthening current and future interventions;

5. Assess institutional approaches and operational needs in order to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of AU-led mediation and dialogue processes.

Media representatives are invited to attend and cover the 13th High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa

For media inquiries, please contact:

Ms. Limi Mohammed Shash | Website Administrator | Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department (PAPS) | Email: shashlm@africa-union.org |

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org Web: www.au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube