ECOWAS’ Peace Legacy: Dr. Omar Touray Highlights West Africa’s Mediation Success at Addis Ababa Forum.

By Raymond Enoch

The Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) convened a high-level meeting on the theme “Peace Processes in Africa: Prospects for Lasting Agreements to End Conflicts.”

The event took place on the sidelines of the 38th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

The forum brought together distinguished African personalities, including H.E. Dr. Omar Aliu Touray, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas and Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who shared their insights into peace negotiations across the continent.

Discussions centered on the role of local, regional, and international stakeholders in fostering sustainable peace.

Among the key speakers was H.E. Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who underscored ECOWAS’ extensive experience in peace mediation across West Africa.

He highlighted the regional bloc’s successful interventions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia, emphasizing the importance of sustained diplomatic efforts and regional cooperation.

Also present at the event was ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, who contributed to the discussions on advancing peacebuilding efforts in Africa.

This meeting reaffirmed ECOWAS’ commitment to conflict resolution and underscored West Africa’s role as a model for mediation success on the continent.