Fourth Annual Retreat for Special Envoys and High Representatives of Regional Economic Communities
Like the preceding ones, the Fourth Annual Retreat is designed to be a reflective forum, where constitution building and peace building professionals, as well as senior officials from governments and regional multilateral organizations, engage in strategic conversations on systemic crises afflicting democratic constitutional orders and the accompanying instability and insecurity in Africa.
The Retreat builds on a recurrent recommendation from the previous editions – the First, held in Banjul (The Gambia) in October 2022, the Second held in Abuja (Nigeria) in October 2023 and the Third one held in Nairobi (Kenya) in October 2024 – specifically on the need to have an in-depth and proactive reflection on the dynamics in the international geopolitical changes and impacts on multilateralism as it relates to stability and mediation in complex constitutional and political transitions in Africa.
The Fourth Annual Retreat will be held under the theme “Changing Global Dynamics and the Future of Regional Mediation towards Peace and Constitutional and Democratic Governance in Africa.” As in previous editions, this Retreat primarily seeks to provide an open and reflective forum where senior officials from regional multilateral organizations and governments, constitution and peace building professionals, as well as key civil society figures engage in strategic conversations on current developments and crises, as well as the challenges facing constitutional and democratic governance in Africa and the instability that accompanies it.
The Special Envoys Retreat will bring together around 80 participants including key senior officials of the Senegalese Government, diplomatic community in Dakar, heads and representatives of Regional Economic Communities, the African Union (AU) High Representative on Silencing the Guns, representatives and resource persons from AU and regional economics commissions (RECs), senior officials from African Countries, academics, think tanks, representatives of civil societies organizations, international partners, representatives from International IDEA Member States and officials.
This event is by invitation only.
AGENDA
14 September 2025
• 8.00-9.00 Arrival and registration of participants
• 9.00-10.30 Opening ceremony
Masters of Ceremony: Dr Winluck Wahiu, Senior Adviser in Constitution Building, International IDEA, Africa and West Asia (AWA) Regional Office and Ms Jainaba Faye, IDEA Country Director, The Gambia.
Welcome
o Dr Roba D. Sharamo, Regional Director, International IDEA, Africa and West Asia (AWA) Regional Office – 5 mn
Solidarity Messages
o Dr. Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary General, International IDEA – 5 mn
o H.E. Ambassador Ibrahim Turay, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to Senegal, Representative of ECOWAS President – 5 mn
o H.E. Ambassador Philipp Stalder, Assistant State Secretary, Head of the Africa Division at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs – 5 mn
o H.E. Ambassador Ezechiel Nibigira, Chairman of the ECCAS Commission – 5 mn
o H.E. Ambassador Ismail Wais, Representative of the IGAD Executive Secretary – 5 mn
o Mrs. Michele Ndiaye, Former AU Special Representative to DRC, OSF Director for Transformative Peace in Africa – 5 mn
o H.E. Ambassador Leonardo Simao, UNSGSR for West Africa and Sahel – 5 mn
Context setting
o H.E. Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef, Chief of Staff of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission – 7 mn
o H.E. Mr. Joao Cravinho, EU Special Representative for the Sahel – 7 mn
Keynote address: Framing the conversation on the changing global dynamics and Africa’s
o H.E. Prof. Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Senegal for International Affairs – 9mn
• 10.30-10.45 Group photo and coffee break
• 10.45-12.00 Plenary Panel 1: The Role of RECs in promoting peace and effective, accountable and constitutional governance under current dynamics of fading multilateralism and geopolitical changes
This panel will examine the evolving roles, opportunities and challenges facing RECs in fostering peace, stability, effective and constitutional governance in Africa amidst declining global multilateral cooperation and dynamic geopolitical landscapes. The panelists will specifically assess RECs responses and ongoing interventions amid the current dynamics.
Q: What is your organization's analysis of the current multilateral dynamics and how does it promote peace and effective governance in this challenging context?
Moderator: H.E. Mrs Bintou Djibo, Former UN Coordinator, former UNDP Representative
Panelists:
- H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns
- H.E. Ambassador Ezechiel Nibigira, Chairman of the ECCAS Commission
- H.E. Ambassador Dr. Abdel Fatau Musah, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security
- H.E. Ambassador Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan
- H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security
- H.E. Mrs. Edite Ten Jua, Executive Secretary of the African Political Parties Summit, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sao Tome & Principe
Discussion with participants
• 12.00-13.15 Plenary panel 2: Adaptive and innovative solutions in the engagement of the RECs in the current geopolitical context
This panel will explore and evaluate adaptive and innovative strategies that RECs – including their special envoys and high representatives – can employ to effectively engage in and support complex political transitions in African states, considering the challenges and opportunities presented by the current geopolitical landscape. The discussion aims to identify practical solutions, exchange good practices, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to enhance RECs' roles in promoting stability, security, effective governance, and sustainable development during political transitions.
Q: How can RECs – including their High Representatives and Special Envoys – proactively reshape their role and actions in the new multilateral context?
Moderator: H.E. Dr. Aminata Toure, High Representative of the President of the Republic of Senegal
Panelists:
- H.E. Ambassador El-Ghassim Wane, Former Head of MINUSMA
- H.E. Prof. Fatima Karadja, Former Member of APRM Panel of Eminent Persons
- H.E. Dr. Cheick Tidiane Gadio, Former Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Senegal, Chairperson of the Institute for Pan African Strategies
- Mrs. Oury Traoré, Regional Director for West Africa and Sahel, ISS
- Dr Issaka Souaré, Senior Mediation Advisor, Mediation Support Unit, UN Department for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs
Discussion with participants
• 13.15-14.30 Lunch break
• 14.30-15.45 Plenary Panel 3: How have international organizations and partners responded, and how should they respond, to the changing dynamics in geopolitical landscape, including in their support to the capacity and role of RECs in transitional contexts?
This panel seeks to identify actionable insights for external policymakers and international organizations to navigate complex geopolitical environments effectively in accompanying African efforts to resolve complex political and constitutional transitions in Africa.
Q: What is the role of external policy makers and international organizations in accompanying African efforts to resolve complex political and constitutional transitions in the new multilateral environment?
Moderator: Mr Gram Matenga, Head of Programmes, International IDEA, AWA Regional Office
Panelists:
- Mr Sumit Bisarya, Head of Constitution Building and Rule of Law, Global Programme, International IDEA
- H.E. Ambassador Carmen Hagenaars, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Senegal
- H.E. Mr. Joao Cravinho, EU Special Representative for the Sahel
- Dr Lori-Anne Theroux Benoni, Senior Advisor, ISS
- Dr Jean-Herve Jezequel, Director of the Sahel Project, ICG
Discussion with participants
• 15.45-17:00 Bilateral meetings and networking
• 19.30-21.00 Conference dinner (by invitation only)
AGENDA
15 September 2025
Country Specific Panels
• 9.00-11.00 Panel 1: Challenges and opportunities for stabilization and institutional reforms in coastal States: the cases of Gambia, Gabon, Ghana and Senegal
Moderators: Dr. Adem K. Abebe, Senior Adviser, Constitution Building and Rule of Law, Global Programme, International IDEA and Prof. Alpha Sidy Ndiaye, Deputy Chief of Staff of the President of the Republic of Senegal
Panelists:
- Hon. Hussein Thomasi, Legal Secretary and Solicitor General, Ministry of Justice, Republic of the Gambia
- H.E. Prof. Guy Rossatanga-Rignault, Former Secretary General of the Presidency of the Transition in Gabon
- Dr. Cheikh Gueye, Facilitator of the National Dialogue, Senegal
- H.E. Ambassador Jean-Marc Pisani, European Union Ambassador to Senegal
- Dr. Joseph Asunka, CEO, Afrobarometer
- Mrs. Fatou Jagne Senghore, CSO Advocate, West Africa
Discussion with participants
• 11.00-11.15 Coffee Break
• 11.15-13.15 Panel 2: How to promote and strengthen conditions conducive to peace and a return to constitutional order in Sudan
Moderator: H.E. Ambassador Haile Menkerios, Former UNSGSR and Head of the UN Mission to Sudan and South Sudan
Panelists:
- H.E. Ambassador Lawrence Korbandy, IGAD Special Envoy for Sudan
- Mrs Hala Al-Karib, Regional Director, SIHA
- H.E. Mr. Sylvain Astier, Switzerland’s Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa
- Dr. Hassan Khannenje, Director of the HORN Institute for Strategic Studies
Discussion with participants
• 13.15-14.15 Lunch break
• 14.15-16.15 Panel 3: How to promote reconciliation in Somalia and which mechanisms to implement it?
Moderator: Dr. Winluck Wahiu, Senior Adviser, Constitution Building, International IDEA, AWA Regional Office
Panelists:
- H. E. Mr. Hassan Moalim Mohamud, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Federal Republic of Somalia
- H.E. Ambassador El Hadji Ibrahima Boly Diene, Head of AUSSOM
- Mr. Mahdi Abdile, Regional Director and Representative to the AU, Finn Church Aid
- H.E. Mr Mohamed Yunis, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somaliland
Discussion with participants
• 18.15 Departure by bus
• 18.30 – 20.30 Cocktail at the Swiss Residence, Fann
Launching of the 2025 Global State of Democracy Report: Dr. Roba D. Sharamo, Regional Director, International IDEA, Africa and West Asia
AGENDA
16 September 2025
• 9.00-10.30 Panel 4: The nature and future of support for return to constitutional governance in Central Sahel countries
Moderator: Dr. Maurice Engueleguele, Senior Adviser, Constitution Building, International IDEA, AWA Regional Office
Panelists:
- Mr. Abdou Salam Diekpile, Director General of Territorial Administration, Representative of Mali
- Mr. Siaka Coulibaly, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, Burkina Faso
- H.E. Mrs. Mariama Gamatie Bayard, Special Advisor to the President of the Republic, National Coordinator of the Single Platform of AES Women of Niger
- H.E. Dr Mamadou Tangara, AU Representative for Sahel and Head of MISAHEL
- H.E. Mr Larry Gbevlo-Lartey, Ghana Special Envoy to AES
Discussion with participants
• 10.30-10.45 Coffee break
• 10.45-12.00 Panel 5: Challenges and opportunities for constitutional governance in the Great Lakes Region
Moderator: Dr Lindlyn Moma, Member of the Advisory Board, International IDEA
Panelists:
- Dr. Andrews Asamoah, Senior Adviser, AU Support, International IDEA, AWA Regional Office
- H.E. Mrs. Marie Madeleine Kalala, Chairperson of the Panel of Wise of ECCAS and Friend of the AU Panel of Wise
- H.E. Ambassador Emile Ognimba, Ambassador of Congo Brazzaville, Former OIF Special Representative to Madagascar and Comoros
- Mr. Abraham Okoko-Esau, Special Advisor of the President of ECCAS Commission
Discussion with participants
• 12.10-12.45 Closing Ceremony
Masters of Ceremony: Dr. Winluck Wahiu, Senior Adviser, Constitution Building, International IDEA, AWA Regional Office and Ms Jainaba Faye, IDEA Country Director, The Gambia
o Closing Remarks. Dr Roba D. Sharamo, Regional Director, International IDEA, AWA Regional Office
o Closing Remarks. H.E. Ambassador Carmen Hagenaars, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Netherlands to Senegal
o Closing Remarks. H.E. Ambassador Sylvain Astier, Swiss Special Envoy for Horn of Africa
o Official Closing. H.E. Prof. Abdoulaye Bathily, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Senegal for International Affairs
• 12.45-15.00 Closing lunch (by invitation only)
• 16.00 Departure of participants
Speakers
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We advance democracy worldwide, as a universal human aspiration and an enabler of sustainable development, through support to the building, strengthening and safeguarding of democratic political institutions and processes at all levels.
