Strengthening ECOWAS mediation through dialogue and exchange

From 28 October to 1 November 2024, Clingendael Academy hosted a high-level training for 18 senior officials of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Participants included ECOWAS ambassadors, national representatives, and members of the Mediation Support Team and Council of the Wise.

The programme centred around Clingendael’s negotiation-based approach to mediation. During the first two days, participants engaged in negotiation exercises, honing their strategies, behavioural styles, and skills in representing their constituencies. The latter half of the training focused on mediation and mediation support structures, delving deeper into the West African context through case studies and culminating in a full-day multiparty simulation. In this final exercise, participants applied their newly acquired skills to navigate challenging deadlocks in mediation processes.

A core emphasis of the programme was fostering the exchange of experiences and insights among participants, creating a collaborative learning environment.

This 9th edition of the ECOWAS mediation training, running since 2015, further strengthened participant collaboration and enhanced their capacity to lead peace negotiations across the region. Clingendael Academy looks forward to continuing its partnership with ECOWAS.