MBABANE:The African Union)AU) and the Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC) have today concluded a landmark meeting on Strengthening Early Warning and Government Monitoring Mechanisms in the Southern Africa Region, Government online platforms reported this week.
It has been reported that, the regional workshop, held from 25-28 August, 2025 in Mbabane, brought together Government representatives and ECOSOC members from across Southern Africa and focused on enhancing the role of civil society organisations(CSOs) in conflict prevention and peacebuilding.
“The event was facilitated by Thinking Africa in partnership with the AU, with the goal of institutionalising and professionalising collaboration between CSOs and Government entities. It was led by Dr. Said Abass Ahamed, Director of Thinking Africa.Participants included CSO representatives from SADC member states, AU Continental Early Warning System(CEWS) officials, SADC officials, national Government representatives, and experts from regional think tanks and technical partners,”reads the online report in part.
The four-day program tackled several critical areas. First, participants focused on building structured partnerships with the AU, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa(COMESA).
It also provided essential training for CSOs in conflict analysis, digital tools, mediation techniques, and data protection, empowering them with vital skills.
A significant step taken during the workshop was the formalisation of the Southern Africa CSO Early Warning Coalition, aimed at enhancing early warning systems and responses to potential conflicts. Participants also collaborated in co-designing regional digital tools for conflict monitoring and rapid alerts, leveraging technology to support effective peacebuilding. By the end of the workshop, participants had forged actionable partnerships and enhanced the operational capabilities of CSOs”, reads the online report in part.
On another note, Foreign Affairs Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu who met the AU delegation in Mbabane said, the “meeting is integral to the African Peace and Security Architecture(APSA) and the Continental Early Warning System(CEWS)” tasked with leading conflict prevention efforts, supported by Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms(RMs).
“Article 12 of the PSC Protocol mandates CEWS to collaborate with non-governmental organisations and civil society organisations (CSOs) for data collection, analysis, and response strategies,” she said.
African Union(AU) concludes meeting on Strengthening Early Warning and Government Monitoring Mechanisms Southern Africa, bids farewell to Foreign Affairs Minister Pholile Dlamini-Shakantu(pic:Gov).