Paper short abstract:

The focus is on how African (sub-)regional conflict resolution meachnisms are influenced by international peace mediation models. It addresses how these interventions reproduce what they seek to avoid: epistemic violence, decontextualisation of conflict and rejection of local conflict resolution.

Paper long abstract:

The paper focuses on how African (sub)regional conflict resolution mechanisms are influenced by international peace mediation models. Peace mediation, as a guiding paradigm for global peace governance and conflict management, is used as a tool for achieving UN SDGs 16 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions'. It is loaded with promises of conflict transformation, peace and security, and crises prevention.

I examine effects of the transfer of peace mediation models to the African Union and IGAD frameworks. By reveiling the hegemonic power embodied in the international legal order and underlying Anglo-Eurocentric political-philosophical thought, the paper also addresses how these mediation models reproduce what they seek to avoid: epistemic violence, the decontextualisation of conflict and the rejection of local conflict resolution.

The study problematises the persistence of 'liberal' peace mediation approaches and practices embedded in a 'culture of intervention' and 'politics of domination'. It argues that the absence of agreement on 'African approaches to conflict resolution' perpetuates cycles of domination. A structural analysis of knowledge production in the field of internationalised conflict resolution reveals angles for transformative possibilities and ethical responsibilities.