African leaders have called for more flexible and context-driven approaches to peacebuilding as global political shifts and pressure on multilateral systems continue to affect traditional mediation efforts.

Speaking at the opening of the IGAD Mediation Reflection Conference in Nairobi on April 28, 2026, Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said regional cooperation, political transition and humanitarian diplomacy must remain central to African-led solutions.

“Regional cooperation, political transition, and humanitarian diplomacy must remain central to African-led solutions, strengthening dialogue and shared responsibility in addressing conflicts across our region,” Mudavadi stated.

African-led mediation and regional cooperation

The two-day conference, themed “Reimagining Mediation in a Fragmented World: The Challenges to African Multilateral Leadership,” brought together senior delegates to assess mediation strategies in the Horn of Africa and wider region.

Participants included Workneh Gebeyehu, African Union representatives, former Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok, and other regional officials. Discussions focused on strengthening African ownership of peace processes and improving coordination among regional institutions.

Mudavadi noted that while international partnerships remain important, external support should complement African peace efforts rather than define them. The conference also featured sessions on strengthening dialogue mechanisms and improving mediation frameworks across conflict-prone areas.

Sudan’s return to IGAD

The conference comes months after Sudan was fully reintegrated into the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in February 2026, following a period of suspension during internal conflict.

IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu described Sudan’s return as “a reaffirmation of regional solidarity and collective commitment to peace, stability, and cooperation.” He credited Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who chairs IGAD, for facilitating dialogue that led to Sudan’s reinstatement after negotiations held in January.

Sudan’s reintegration is expected to strengthen IGAD’s capacity to address regional challenges, including the ongoing conflict in Sudan, humanitarian needs, border security, trade, and infrastructure development in the Horn of Africa.

Strengthening African multilateral leadership

Delegates at the meeting continued deliberations on the role of African institutions in leading mediation efforts amid ongoing conflicts in the region. The discussions emphasised inclusive processes and stronger coordination between member states.

The conference also marked IGAD’s 40th anniversary, with sessions highlighting the need for adaptable mediation systems capable of responding to evolving global dynamics.

The event is expected to conclude with recommendations aimed at strengthening mediation structures within IGAD and the African Union. Organisers said the outcomes will support efforts to enhance regional stability and promote coordinated responses to conflict across member states.