He gave the assurance at the launch of a two-day consultative project on Insider Mediation for conflict and peace building in The Gambia which was effected in collaboration with the Ministry of Interior and WANEP-The Gambia with support from the European Union and the United Nations Development Program.
The event was held at Sunset Beach Hotel to discuss and develop criteria and eligibility of potential insider mediators for conflict prevention and peace building (2023-2026) in The Gambia.
The three years has the objectives to understand the scope of the insider mediation concept, including what characterizes an insider mediator.
Its objective is also to reflect on best practices of insider mediation from across West Africa, especially Ghana and Sierra Leone, in relation to the Gambian context and to discuss existing examples of insider mediation in The Gambia with a panel of experts who have been actively involved in national mediation processes, elicit views on traditional/local mediation practices in the Gambia’s regions from participants.
The objectives of the forum also sets to draft guidance on how to identify insider mediators at the national, regional and local level likewise to agree on next steps and responsibilities to strengthen insider mediation in The Gambia.
Ambassador Pampaloni added that the insider mediation will contribute to a lasting infrastructure for peace that The Gambia is currently constructing.
He advanced that inclusivity is essential to strengthening the capacities of insider mediators, adding that the renewed UNDP-EU partnership on insider mediation pays particular attention to the powerful potential of women and young people as change agents for peace.
“That is why I am particularly excited to see young peace builders and women leaders shaping the consultative conference on insider mediation,” he concluded.
