Jonathan travels to Kenya to attend an African Union high-level retreat on mediation: media aide

Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will fly from Abuja to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, on Saturday to attend the African Union’s (AU) 12th High-Level Retreat on the promotion of peace, security, and stability in Africa.

Mr Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media, made the announcement in Abuja on Friday.

Jonathan would attend the three-day event, which was intended for High Representatives, Special Envoys, and Special Representatives of the Commission’s Chairperson, according to Eze (SRCC).

He explained that the goal of the event was for participants to brainstorm ways to improve the impact of ongoing mediation efforts across Africa.

Jonathan is the Special Envoy for Mali for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise.

According to the invitation signed by AU’s Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, the retreat’s theme is “Improved Coordination and Harmonization for Impactful Mediation.”

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The Chairperson of the Commission, senior Kenyan government officials, as well as representatives from AU member states, regional organizations, international agencies, and AU organs, will attend the retreat, according to Eze.

“It will also give participants the chance to reflect, take stock, and review ongoing mediation efforts in the evolving conflict context on the continent, with the goal of improving coherence for longer-term impact.”

“In addition, mediation practitioners will provide insights and exchanges on emerging policy and practice as it relates to inclusivity, particularly of women, youth, and civil society,” Eze said.

The annual high-level retreat, he noted, is one of the key continental body’s initiatives for improving impact in addressing conflict situations in Africa, according to background information provided by the AU.

The retreat, which began in 2010 during Africa’s Year of Peace and Security, has evolved into the premier gathering place for Special Envoys, High Representatives, and Special Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCCs).

“And African mediators to share experiences and best practices in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and peacemaking,” Eze said.

He went on to say that the retreat had strategically engaged with timely, contextual, and challenging issues over the years, with a focus on building mediation capacity and collaboration on the continent.

“The future of mediation in Africa: Towards silencing the Guns: Lessons and Opportunities from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Eze said of the 2020 retreat.

The High-Level Retreat focused on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the African continent, as well as the implications for peacemaking and peacebuilding, in accordance with the theme.