THE establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) marks a pivotal moment in international diplomacy — a step towards a world where dialogue replaces domination and consensus supersedes coercion.
For Africa, this new institution offers more than just another diplomatic forum; it represents a chance to redefine its role from a continent often mediated upon to a continent that mediates.
For decades, African nations have been sidelined in global decision-making processes, often portrayed as conflict zones rather than peace architects.
The IOMed provides an opportunity for Africa to demonstrate that its indigenous peace-building models and cultural values — rooted in Ubuntu, dialogue and reconciliation — can help to shape a fairer, more balanced global order.
According to IOMed’s official mandate, “The International Organisation for Mediation (IOMed) will be the world’s first inter-governmental legal organisation dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation.”
Africa’s long struggle with conflict and external mediation
The African continent has endured numerous conflicts, many of which were aggravated by colonial legacies, competition for natural resources and political instability.
From the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone, to ethnic tensions in Sudan and South Sudan, and the persistent insecurity in the Sahel region, Africa has too often been the stage of humanitarian crises that demand external intervention.
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In Zimbabwe, for instance, political tensions, land disputes, and periods of contested elections have occasionally strained national unity.
While regional bodies such as the Southern African Development Community have stepped in to mediate — notably during the 2008 political crisis — such regional efforts have not been sufficient to reduce Africa’s overall reliance on external arbitration platforms, such as the United Nations or Western-led negotiations.
However, these external interventions have not always yielded lasting peace. In some cases, they have been accused of bias or of pursuing geopolitical interests rather than genuine conflict resolution. This has led to growing calls for African-led mediation frameworks that respect sovereignty, context and cultural identity.
The promise of IOMed
The Convention on the Establishment of the International Organisation for Mediation was officially signed on May 30, 2025, in Hong Kong, during a historic ceremony attended by more than 400 high-level representatives from 85 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe, as well as nearly 20 international organisations.
The IOMed’s mission is to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue, negotiation and mediation — free from coercion or political pressure.
For Africa, this objective aligns perfectly with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and its vision of “silencing the guns” — fostering sustainable peace proactively through preventive diplomacy.
IOMed’s value lies in its neutrality. It is designed not as a punitive institution but as a bridge-builder, creating space for nations to resolve conflicts before they escalate. African States can, therefore, use this platform to address both intra-State and inter-State disputes more constructively.
Africa’s opportunity: From recipients to leaders of mediation
Historically, Africa has contributed unique peace-building wisdom that can enrich global mediation practices.
Traditional systems such as Rwanda’s Gacaca courts (which prioritise restorative justice over retribution), the Palaver traditions in West Africa (community-led consensus-building) and the Ubuntu philosophy in southern Africa (emphasising inter-connectedness) demonstrate the continent’s rich heritage in reconciliation and community healing.
Through the IOMed, African nations can formalise and globalise these indigenous systems. This means positioning African diplomats, mediators and scholars as thought leaders in conflict resolution — offering alternative approaches that prioritise restoration over punishment and dialogue over dominance.
For example:
lThe African Union’s mediation in Sudan and South Sudan, which integrated local cultural norms into peace agreements, can serve as a blueprint for how the IOMed can support homegrown peace initiatives.
lZimbabwe, with its track record of political mediation and reconciliation endeavours, could become a regional hub for conflict prevention and peace dialogue training under the IOMed framework.
Building trust and fairness in global governance
One of the key criticisms of existing international institutions — such as the United Nations Security Council or the International Criminal Court (ICC) — has been their perceived lack of impartiality and inclusiveness. Decisions about Africa are often made without African participation.
IOMed offers a fresh opportunity to rebuild trust in global governance. By ensuring equal representation of developing countries in its leadership and mediation panels, it can foster legitimacy and ownership.
Zimbabwe’s role: A model for constructive engagement
Zimbabwe’s political history, marked by both challenges and resilience, positions it as an ideal participant in the IOMed’s mission.
As the country continues to rebuild its political and economic systems, it can also contribute to shaping a continental mediation strategy that promotes peace, governance reform and youth inclusion.
Zimbabwean diplomats, scholars and youth-led organisations can work through IOMed to train a new generation of African mediators, develop policy frameworks for peaceful dialogue and promote conflict-sensitive development.
Africa’s time to lead
IOMed represents more than just another diplomatic platform — it is a symbol of global rebalancing. For Africa, this is the moment to transition from being viewed as the periphery of international affairs to becoming a central pillar of the global peace architecture.
As the IOMed’s founding declaration emphasises, its goal is to “promote the peaceful settlement of disputes through mediation, fostering mutual understanding and co-operation.”
By embracing this vision, Africa can showcase its own capacity to resolve conflicts, bridge divides and offer moral leadership rooted in unity and human dignity.
