Peer Reflection Lab focusing on peace mediation in the Central African Republic
On June 30th, ZIF, in cooperation with the Mediation Support Team of the European External Action Service (EEAS), organised a peer exchange on challenges and opportunities for a sustainable peace process in the Central African Republic (CAR).
The peer exchange was organised for the members of the EEAS Mediator Pool and built on the virtual training and coaching programme conducted in 2020
A spiral of violence followed the rebel-initiated coup in the Central African Republic in 2013. Peace agreements have repeatedly not been honoured in the past, and the presidential election in December 2020 recently led to a renewed escalation of the ongoing conflict. With a population of nearly five million, 1.5 million people are now seeking refuge from the ongoing violence, attacks and acts of revenge by rebel groups, according to the United Nations (UN).
The Peer Reflection Lab enabled the 15 participants to reflect on current challenges in the region and their own experience in other contexts in a collegial and familiar setting to develop options for a sustainable and robust peace agreement in CAR. The exchange was enriched by the valuable insights of Pierre-Yves Monette, international peace and security expert and former member of the UN Mediation Standby Team.