A Two Week Integrated Training of Trainers on the Capacitation of Traditional Leaders in Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution has officially opened in Lusaka bringing together regional peace actors for a strategic programme running from 2nd to 13th February 2026.
Officiating at the opening the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hon. Gift Sialubalo MP said sustainable peace cannot be achieved through military responses alone but must be anchored in communities where conflicts originate and where reconciliation must ultimately take place.
The Minister noted that traditional leaders remain the closest and most trusted authority for many citizens and continue to play a vital role in maintaining harmony mediating disputes and preserving social cohesion. He emphasized that long before modern governance systems traditional leadership structures successfully resolved conflicts through dialogue consensus and shared values.
He further stressed that in the face of modern challenges such as resource based disputes political tensions climate related pressures and erosion of community cohesion there is an urgent need to deliberately strengthen the capacity of traditional leaders and align their role with national regional and continental peace frameworks.
Hon. Sialubalo described the training as strategic and forward looking noting that the Training of Trainers model ensures sustainability by creating a pool of skilled facilitators who will cascade knowledge and best practices across communities and institutions in the region. He urged participants to fully engage in the programme share experiences openly and translate lessons learnt into practical action upon returning to their respective areas.
The Minister also highlighted that empowering traditional leaders enhances early warning and early response mechanisms reduces the likelihood of conflicts escalating into violent crises and promotes local ownership of peace processes which is key to long term stability and development.
The training convened by the SADC Regional Peacekeeping Training Centre aligns with regional and continental peace and security frameworks and underscores the importance of inclusive community centred approaches to peace support operations.
He concluded by calling on all stakeholders to continue working together to ensure that dialogue remains the first option in resolving disputes and that traditional leadership continues to serve as a pillar of peace unity and stability across the region.
