The 17th International Conference of Institutions of Ombudsmen for the Armed Forces (ICOAF) convened from 7 to 9 October 2025 in Johannesburg, South Africa, under the theme “Building Links – Efforts to Raise Awareness and Communicate Mediation Institutions.” The event was hosted by the Office of the Military Ombudsman of South Africa and brought together delegations from numerous countries, including Togo, whose delegation was led by Mr. Stan Akpelozim Lokoun.
The conference provided a global platform for dialogue and reflection on how mediation and oversight institutions can strengthen trust, accountability, and transparency within the armed forces. Participants exchanged experiences and best practices to enhance institutional performance and to develop innovative policy responses aligned with the mandates and powers of military ombudsman institutions.
The program was structured around four thematic sessions. The first session emphasized the importance of understanding the role and mandate of ombudsman institutions within the military context, noting that without such awareness, service members often lack recourse to independent mechanisms of redress. The second session focused on operationalizing awareness-raising strategies, highlighting the value of outreach initiatives, regulatory frameworks, and effective communication tailored to military and civilian audiences.
The third session addressed the tools and channels of awareness and communication, calling for rigorous evaluation of each medium to ensure that engagement methods remain effective and supportive of institutional independence. The final session explored targeted communication approaches, encouraging the adaptation of awareness activities to the specific needs of different military audiences to ensure equitable access to information on complaint mechanisms and the protection of rights.
In the closing deliberations, participants acknowledged that each national context presents unique challenges, but underscored the shared goal of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms within the armed forces. The conference reaffirmed the importance of permanent international dialogue among mediation institutions as a cornerstone for democratic governance, civilian oversight of the military, and resilience against democratic erosion.
Delegates also stressed the role of parliamentarians, media, and civil society in enhancing the visibility and public understanding of ombudsman institutions, and they called upon the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) to continue supporting capacity-building, institutional development, and peer exchange initiatives within the ICOAF network.
It was announced that the 18th ICOAF will be hosted in Sydney, Australia, from 18 to 21 October 2026, continuing this vital dialogue on safeguarding rights, accountability, and integrity within armed forces around the world.
