The Sixth African Conference for the Promotion of Peace concluded on Thursday, February 12, 2026, in Nouakchott, Mauritania, establishing hope as a central strategic pillar for continental stability.
Held at the Mokhtar Ould Daddah International Conference Center, the three-day summit brought together an influential assembly of scholars, policymakers, and civil society actors. Under the theme “Africa and the Creation of Hope: Never Despair of Allah’s Mercy,” the gathering focused on utilizing religious and spiritual frameworks to counter extremism and restore national cohesion in conflict-affected regions.
The closing ceremony, presided over by Mauritanian Minister of Islamic Affairs El Fadhil Ould Sidaty Ould Ahmed Louly and the renowned scholar Sheikh Abdallah ben Bayyah, emphasized that hope must evolve from a moral concept into a tangible lever for political action. Minister Ould Sidaty characterized the conference as a process of collective moral responsibility, specifically aiming to prevent violence by addressing its root causes. This sentiment was supported by prominent Malian figure Imam Mahmoud Dicko, who stressed that restoring national unity requires offering young people real economic and social alternatives to the cycle of violence.
A primary outcome of the deliberations was a call for a more comprehensive and moderate approach to regional challenges, including improved migration management and the empowerment of women and youth. Participants notably highlighted water security as a critical issue for regional integration, arguing that the equitable management of resources is essential for preventing future cross-border conflicts. As the conference looks forward, Sheikh Abdallah ben Bayyah urged that the upcoming month of Ramadan be utilized as a period for both prayer and active peacebuilding. The conference has now positioned itself as a permanent pan-African platform dedicated to transforming spiritual guidance into concrete policies for conflict prevention and regional stability.
AC/fss/abj/APA