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The West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) participated in the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Mediation Support Network (MSN) held in Basel, Switzerland, from 29-31 October 2025. WANEP was represented by its Regional Coordinator for Research and Capacity Building, Dr. Festus Kofi Aubyn. The meeting brought together 33 participants from the 24 MSN member organisations from across the globe. It was jointly hosted by the MSN Secretariat, Swisspeace, the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD), and the Centre for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich.
The MSN is a global Network of primarily non-governmental organisations that promote and support mediation in peace processes. Since its establishment in 2008, the Network has convened annually to exchange experiences, share lessons learned, and explore collaborative approaches to improving mediation practices, processes, and standards aimed at addressing political tensions and armed conflicts worldwide.
The 2025 MSN Annual Meeting focused on Multi-level Mediation in Theory and Practice within Today’s Conflict Context. Discussions examined the increasingly fragmented and complex nature of contemporary conflicts and their implications for mediation support. Participants reflected on how this evolving landscape influences the design, implementation, and coordination of mediation efforts.
The meeting also explored the conceptual framework for multi-level mediation and its practical application through specific case studies from Colombia, Libya, and Sudan. These discussions underscored both the opportunities and challenges in operationalising mediation strategies that are context-sensitive, inclusive, and adaptive to multi-actor environments.
Overall, the meeting provided a valuable platform for MSN members to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and collectively reflect on practical dilemmas and lessons learned in designing effective mediation strategies across different levels and contexts. WANEP’s participation reinforced its ongoing commitment to strengthening peacebuilding and mediation capacities in West Africa and beyond.
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