Nouakchott, February 10, 2026 — Leaders, scholars, and policymakers from across Africa and beyond gathered in Nouakchott on Tuesday for the opening of the Sixth African Conference for the Promotion of Peace, delivering a unified message that the continent’s future depends on moral renewal, institutional strength, and the transformation of hope into concrete action.
Held at the Mokhtar Ould Daddah Conference Center under the theme “Africa and the Making of Hope: No Despair of God’s Mercy,” the conference has brought together government officials, religious leaders, and international representatives to address the root causes of instability and explore pathways toward lasting peace.
Opening the ceremony on behalf of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, Mauritanian Prime Minister Mokhtar Ould Diay emphasized that lasting stability requires more than security responses. He said peace must be built on justice, equality, and strong institutions, alongside efforts to promote moderation and social cohesion.
He explained that Mauritania’s national strategy links development with security, focusing on strengthening the rule of law and addressing the intellectual and social roots of extremism.
Hope Must Become Action, Leaders Say
In his keynote address, Sheikh Abdullah bin Bayyah, President of the African Conference for the Promotion of Peace, urged African leaders and scholars to move beyond words and turn hope into practical solutions.
“Hope is not a luxury,” he said. “It is a necessity and a responsibility that must be transformed into initiatives, policies, and institutions capable of repairing fractures, rebuilding trust, and securing the future.”
He warned that despair creates conditions that allow extremism, violence, and instability to spread, stressing that Africa’s future depends on empowering its people, strengthening institutions, and promoting ethical leadership.
Morocco’s Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, also emphasized the moral dimension of peace, warning that the origins of conflict lie within human behavior itself.
“The backgrounds of wars, whatever their forms, remain rooted in the human soul,” Toufiq said. “The making of peace begins from within—through the individual’s ability to examine himself, correct his conduct, and assume his moral and human responsibility.”
He called on scholars and religious leaders to renew ethical values and promote peace through education and responsible guidance, stressing that peace must become a lived reality rather than a slogan.
A Platform to Address Africa’s Most Urgent Challenges
Participants at the conference are examining a wide range of issues affecting Africa’s future, including security threats, development challenges, migration, and social cohesion.
The discussions are organized across thematic sessions aimed at producing recommendations to help strengthen institutional resilience and support sustainable peace.
Organizers said the conference reflects growing cooperation between Mauritania and the United Arab Emirates to promote tolerance and counter extremism, and has evolved into a key platform bringing together political leaders, scholars, and civil society representatives.
Since its launch in Nouakchott in 2020, the conference has helped advance dialogue and develop practical approaches to strengthening peace across the continent.
Chad’s President Awarded Africa Peace Prize
The opening ceremony concluded with the awarding of the Africa Peace Prize 2026 to Chad’s President, Marshal Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen civil peace, promote national stability, and support humanitarian solidarity.
The award followed a recommendation by the Africa Peace Prize Committee after consultations held during a high-level meeting at the United Nations headquarters in Geneva.
Organizers praised Chad’s leadership in addressing regional challenges and supporting displaced populations, describing the recognition as a tribute to efforts aimed at promoting stability and preventing the escalation of conflict.
The award marked a symbolic conclusion to an opening session focused on reinforcing Africa’s collective responsibility to build a future grounded in peace, justice, and hope.
