ECOWAS Prioritises Capacity Building Of Officials To Strengthen Conflict Resolution, Others.

By Ferdinand Olise

The Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has built the capacity of its officials so as to further strengthen their capacity in the areas of negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution.

The advanced capacity-building programme on negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution, was targeted at ECOWAS Senior Officials, Special Representatives, Resident and Permanent Representatives, Members of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council, (MSC), at Ambassadorial level, and Members of the ECOWAS Council of the Wise.

They participated in an the training organised by the Netherlands Institute of International Relations “Clingendael”, with financial support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The training is part of the 10th Edition of the Clingendael Academy Programme on Peace Negotiations.

Throughout the five-day programme, participants strengthened their practical understanding of the principles and processes of negotiation and mediation, including the qualities of effective negotiators and mediators, the strategic application of mediation support, and approaches for building consensus among parties with diverse interests, values and beliefs.