This is my opinion article: Beyond the Agreement Table: Rethinking How We Measure Effective Mediation in the Horn of Africa Mediation is often judged by visible milestones: ceasefires, signed agreements, and high-level summits. While important, these are only outputs—not outcomes. In the Horn of Africa, where conflicts are shaped by overlapping political, social, economic, and geopolitical pressures, effective mediation should instead be measured by five deeper indicators: 1. Sustainable reduction in violence – Are civilians safer over time? 2. Legitimate governance – Are institutions more inclusive, accountable, and credible? 3. Social trust – Are communities rebuilding cooperation across divides? 4. Local ownership – Are citizens, civil society, women, youth, and business actors shaping the peace process? 5. Resilience – Can societies manage future shocks without returning to violence? The real test of mediation is not how many agreements are signed, but whether it transforms how grievances are addressed and conflicts are prevented. #Peacemediation #conflictresolution #HornofAfrica open.substack.com/pub/tiigaa…