The role of religious and traditional leaders in conflict prevention in Africa

Description What is done in the programme or project and why, what results are pursued, who benefits from the activities and who are involved in the implementation.

The purpose of the project is to deepen the understanding of the role that religious and traditional leaders can play in preventing and mitigating insurgencies and climate-change induced conflicts in Africa. The project is implemented by ACCORD (The African Centre for the constructive Resolution for opinions) in cooperation with The Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers (NRTP), which is financed by Finland and managed by Finn Church Aid. ACCORD and NRTP network will prepare a discussion paper on the topic and organise a discussion event bringing together religious and traditional leaders and in which they can together reflect on their role related to insurgencies and climate-change induced conflicts in Africa. Outcome report from the event will be published. The project outcomes are 1) to increase understanding of the role that religious and traditional leaders play, in early warning, conflict prevention and mitigation; 2) to increase collaboration with religious and traditional leaders to support effective peacebuilding; and 3) to enhance ACCORD’s Conflict Prevention and Innovation Network (ACPIN) through increased access by religious and traditional leaders to platforms and opportunities for cross sharing of best practices, and knowledge and lessons identified in managing conflict. The project will be implemented by the end of March 2023. The project has been granted EUR 51 000 from the Ministry for Foreign Affair’s appropriations for mediation.