On 11 February 2025, the second Transfer Workshop of the BMBF-funded Research Network “African Non-Military Conflict Intervention Practices” (ANCIP) took place in Brussels. Representatives from European and African embassies, the EU Commission, think tanks, political foundations, and research institutions attended to engage with ANCIP’s work. PRIF Senior Researcher and ANCIP Project leader Antonia Witt organized the event, supported by the Brussels office of the Leibniz Association.
In her welcome and introductory remarks, Antonia Witt explained that the aim of the workshop was to engage policymakers and practitioners on the practical implications of the network’s past three years of research, and to explore future avenues for science-policy interactions in the field of African non-military intervention practices.
The workshop was structured around a series of presentations from the network’s various projects as well as a roundtable discussion, each contributing to a deeper understanding of non-military approaches by Africa peace and security actors. Alongside other participants, PRIF researcher Jonas Schaaf presented his upcoming ANCIP Policy Brief on lessons from the establishment of civil society umbrella organizations in the field of early warning, co-authored with Prof. Dr. Ulf Engel (ANCIP, Leipzig University) and Taye Abdulkadir (African Union Commission).
At the roundtable discussion, panelists H.E. Mmasekgoa Masire-Mwamba, Ambassador of the Republic of Botswana, Lidet Tadesse, European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), and Lorenzo Conti from the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO) reflected on the futures of African non-military interventions. Their debate emphasized the different but inter-linked challenges faced within the space of non-military interventions as well as the neglected role of African cultures and culture more generally as foundation for peacebuilding and non-military engagements. The workshop ended with a reception, giving attendees the chance to network and engage in informal discussions.
Altogether, the event highlighted the crucial role played by African non-military interventions in addressing Africa’s complex conflicts, despite or especially in very challenging times. By uniting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, it fostered an environment for shared learning and reflection, advancing the conversation on the importance of African non-military interventions in promoting lasting peace.
In addition to current publications, a detailed report on the workshop program will soon be available on the ANCIP website.