In short
Course Date/Duration	Monday 16 to Friday 27 February 2026
Course Capacity	30 participants
Target Group	a. African Union, ECOWAS, UN Missions in Africa and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs). b. Members/staff of Institutions undertaking/supporting mediation efforts. c. Practitioners in mediation related jobs are also encouraged to apply. d. Persons working in organizations/institutions in countries in transition. e. Persons working in organizations likely to be involved in mediation in countries in transition. f. Members of parties in disputes. g. Traditional leaders and other interested persons from local communities.
Course Language	English
Application Deadline	Friday 23 January 2026

 

Introduction/Background

The end of the Cold War in the 1990s saw an increase in violent armed conflicts especially within states and involving non-state actors. The implications of these violent armed conflicts globally, but especially within the African continent, adversely impacted human and state security.

The security implications of violent armed conflicts also rekindled the interest in international peace and conflict resolution, including the growth and an increased focus on national, local, regional and international tools and response mechanisms for international conflict resolution. In this context, conflict analysis and mediation have continued to constitute a fundamental part of efforts at understanding the causes, trends and dynamics of conflict, and the role that that they play in conflict resolution.

At the same time, the increase in opportunities for peace-making by continental and regional organizations such as the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), including Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) has resulted in an exponential growth in mediation interventions and associated conflict resolution activities at multiple levels.

The Conflict Analysis and Mediation (CAM) Course was designed in 2013 as a collaboration between the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), to match the need to intervene in conflicts on the one hand, and the need to increase understanding of the different tools, frameworks and aspects of conflict analysis and mediation among stakeholders for conflict prevention, management and resolution on the other hand.

Course Rationale

The Conflict Analysis and Mediation Course is designed to build the knowledge and skills base of individuals to fill the capacity gaps of mediators and mediation support teams on the continent. It is also to provide the enabling environment for professional conflict resolution participants, the sharing of experiences and lessons learned in multi-track mediation and peace processes.

Course Aim

The aim of the course is to strengthen participants’ ability to undertake critical, analytical and practical conflict analysis in mediation and negotiation.

Course Objectives

The main objectives of the course are to:

1. Enhance participants’ knowledge, skills and attitudes for effective conflict analysis and mediation.
2. Deepen participants’ understanding and awareness of the challenges and opportunities of the African Peace and Security landscape.
3. Enable participants’ understand key conflict analysis concepts and evaluate conflict analysis frameworks and underlying conceptual tools.
4. Enable participants’ understand at a practical level, the connections between conflict analysis and mediation.

 

Target Group

The target groups include those involved in mediation and mediation related activities. These include the following;

1. AU, ECOWAS, UN Missions in Africa, CSOs and other Regional Economic Communities (RECs).
2. Members/staff of Institutions undertaking/supporting mediation efforts.
3. Practitioners in mediation related jobs.
4. Persons working in organizations/institutions in countries in transition.
5. Persons working in organizations likely to be involved in mediation in countries in transition.
6. Members of parties in disputes.
7. Traditional leaders and other interested persons from local communities.

 

Training Methodology

Through a combination of lectures, simulation exercises, video/movie presentations, group work, role-plays, case study analysis, quizzes and discussions, the course seeks to enhance participant’s theoretical as well as practical understanding of Conflict Analysis and Mediation in the Region. Participants will play active roles in the learning process under the guidance of a team of experienced facilitators. Following the completion of each module, participants will be encouraged to participate in group discussions to further their understanding of the concepts’ more nuanced arguments.

 

Course Modules

1. Conflict and Conflict Analysis.
2. Negotiation and Mediation.
3. Diplomatic Considerations in Mediation.
4. Cultural Considerations in Mediation.
5. Gender and Inclusive-Mediation Strategies.
6. AU/ECOWAS Approach to Mediation.

 

How to Apply

Interested applicants should kindly use the link below in order to fill and submit the online application form.

Contact

Commander Kwasi Nyampong  Course Director Tel.  00 233 (0) 302 718200 Ext. 1102 Email: course-director.mstoc@kaiptc.org   Mr Desmond Ofosuhene Training Coordination Officer Tel.  00 233 (0) 302 718200 Ext. 1012 Fax. 00 233 (0) 302 718201 Email: Admin.Events@kaiptc.org Email: training.coordination@kaiptc.org