Commissioner Ahmed Humed Abdella, a Ph.D. scholar in the Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences, at the University of Hyderabad (UoH), has successfully completed the prestigious High-Level Executive Training on Integrated DDR Processes and Leadership Dialogue, held in Stockholm, Sweden, from March 26–28, 2026. The program was jointly organized by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) the Swedish agency for peace, security, and development and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The high-level retreat was designed to provide a confidential, senior-level space for national and regional decision‑makers engaged in Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR). The overall objectives were to increase trust and strategic relationships between regions and between regional and national DDR stakeholders, to exchange experiences and lessons learned from ongoing and past DDR processes, to strengthen a common understanding of roles and a shared vision for peace and stability in Ethiopia, to strengthen leadership capacity to analyze, plan, decide upon, and oversee integrated DDR processes, and to identify concrete avenues for enhanced cooperation in support of sustainable security, stability, and peace.
The training brought together senior officials from Ethiopian federal institutions, regional states, and international partners, with facilitation provided by the Folke Bernadotte Academy and UNDP. Sessions covered the UN DDR doctrine (IDDRS), UNDP’s support to peace in Ethiopia, FBA’s work on security transitions within political processes, and regional experiences in DDR implementation.
As part of the training, Ahmed delivered a presentation on the current situation, results, and challenges of DDR and stabilization efforts in the Afar Regional State of Ethiopia. His presentation was based on achieved results on the ground, which have demonstrated practical outcomes. The international community has recommended that other regions involve local communities in addressing contemporary challenges, highlighting the effectiveness of the Afar traditional conflict resolution system. These findings also support Ahmed’s doctoral research by demonstrating the practical relevance of Afar customary law and elders’ mediation practices in modern peacebuilding efforts.
Outcomes and International Recognition
The Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) has promised to apply this system in other countries and has expressed their willingness to collaborate with Ahmed in the field to implement similar approaches.
Ahmed is currently pursuing his doctoral research under the supervision of Prof. Venkatesu E. His dissertation, “Contemporary Challenges of Afar Elders’ Mediation Practices in Conflict Resolution: A Study in the Afar National Regional State of Ethiopia,” focuses on revitalizing traditional mediation systems and integrating them into modern peacebuilding frameworks. His recent presentation in Stockholm provided a practical application of his thesis, particularly his analysis of traditional mechanisms as a foundation for sustainable peace.
In addition to his academic excellence, Ahmed serves as the Head of the Peace and Security Bureau of the Afar National Regional State, Ethiopia. In this key leadership role, he works extensively with national and international institutions on conflict prevention, security stabilization, and community resilience initiatives.