MBABANE – The African Union (AU) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has concluded a landmark meeting on Strengthening Early Warning and Government Monitoring Mechanisms in Southern Africa Region.
The regional workshop was aimed at enhancing the role of Civil Society organisations (CSOs) in conflict prevention and peace-building. The event was facilitated by Thinking Africa in partnership with the AU, with the goal of institutionalising and professionalising collaboration between CSOs and government entities.
It was held for four days in Mbabane, having started on August 25-28, 2025.
Participants included CSO representatives from Southern African Development Community (SADC) member states, AU, Continental Early Warning System officials, national government representatives and experts from regional think tanks and technical partners.
The workshop was led by Dr Said Abass Ahamed, who is the Director of Thinking Africa. Civil society plays a vital role in Africa’s peace and security landscape, acting as a frontline unit in detecting early warning signs, mobilising communities and contributing to conflict resolution.
The workshop aimed to consolidate lessons learned, expand CSO engagement and align initiatives with key continental frameworks such as the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) Roadmap 2021–2025, the SADC Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO II), the AU Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, the Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) Agenda and the Silencing the Guns by 2030 initiative.
This event marks a significant step towards fostering collaborative partnerships that enhance peace efforts throughout southern Africa.
The four-day programme effectively tackled several critical areas. First, participants focused on building structured partnerships with the AU, SADC and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA).
Additionally, the workshop provided essential training for CSOs in conflict analysis, digital tools, mediation techniques and data protection, empowering them with vital skills.
A significant step taken during the workshop was the formalisation of the Southern Africa CSO Early Warning Coalition, aimed at enhancing early warning systems and responses to potential conflicts. Participants also collaborated in co-designing regional digital tools for conflict monitoring and rapid alerts, leveraging technology to support effective peace-building.
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