On 10 -11 April 2026 the Founder and Executive Director of ACCORD, Dr Vasu Gounden, was invited to be a resource person at the Statutory and Induction Meeting of the SADC Panel of Elders (PoE) and Mediation Reference Group (MRG), hosted by the SADC Secretariat in Gauteng, South Africa.
During the meeting, Dr Gounden delivered a mediation refresher module focusing on the core principles of effective mediation. Over the course of the two-day engagement, he also facilitated discussions on the evolving nature of mediation in contemporary conflict environments. He highlighted a notable shift from “peace through dialogue” to “peace through strength,” emphasising the growing complexity of mediation processes.
Dr Gounden further led a capacity-strengthening session on conflict prevention and mediation, outlining key principles for success. In doing so, he referenced discussions at the recently convened High-Level Intra-African Dialogue on Africa at a Strategic Inflection Point: Agency, Alignment and Resilience in a Fragmenting World, that ACCORD hosted in Sandton, South Africa, in March 2026, underscoring the need for an inclusive African platform of influential voices drawn from all sectors of society. His Excellency Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and Chairperson of the SADC Panel of Elders, affirmed Dr Gounden’s contributions. He emphasised that like-minded African leaders must work together to strengthen Africa’s collective voice and influence in addressing emerging peace and security challenges.
Dr Gounden’s presentations contributed to broader discussions on the draft SADC Mediation, Conflict Prevention and Preventive Diplomacy Framework Strategy. Participants also reflected on key interventions undertaken by the PoE and MRG across the region, while exploring priorities for current and future implementation.
Dr Gounden previously served as a member of the SADC Mediation Reference Group and has continued to support the work of the POE and MRG through various engagements. In recent years he contributed to the February 2025 joint induction training and peer exchange involving the SADC Electoral Advisory Council, the SADC MRG, and the SADC Electoral Commissions Forum. He also presented at the February 2022 induction meeting for the SADC PoE and MRG. In addition, ACCORD hosted and co-hosted a retreat and mediation training for the SADC PoE and MRG in April and November 2022.
ACCORD’s Strategic Objective 1 for its current five-year medium term strategy is to enhance the institutional responses of the AU and RECs to complex conflicts.
