First: General Background on the Concept of Initiative and Qatar’s Role• Initiative means taking the lead and acting swiftly toward change,whether in thought or action.• Qatar has adopted preventive diplomacy, mediation, and negotiations asessential tools in its foreign policy to achieve regional and internationalpeace and security.• Qatar’s geopolitical location between two major regional powers (SaudiArabia and Iran) has compelled it to pursue an independent and neutralforeign policy, making mediation a strategic choice.• According to its constitution, Qatar’s foreign policy is based on:o Respect for international conventionso Supporting peace and the peaceful settlement of disputeso Non-interference in the internal affairs of stateso Supporting peoples’ right to self-determinationThus, Qatar has become one of the most prominent regional actors in mediation, despite its small size and population, benefiting from its soft power and broad network of international relations.Second: Qatar’s Initiatives in Resolving African ConflictsAfrica has become one of the most important arenas for Qatari diplomatic engagement, especially in highly complex conflicts. Two major initiatives stand out:1. Qatari Mediation in the Djibouti–Eritrea Conflict (2011)Nature of the conflict: A border dispute over the Ras and Dumeira Island area, strategically located near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.Qatar’s diplomatic steps:1. Qatar led extensive mediation efforts between the two countries afterrenewed clashes.2. Doha succeeded in brokering a peace agreement in March 2011 betweenDjibouti and Eritrea.3. Qatar undertook a peacekeeping mission by deploying forces to theborder to implement the agreement.4. The agreement received wide regional and international support and wasconsidered an important achievement in reducing tensions in the Horn ofAfrica.Significance:• Demonstrated Qatar’s ability to manage a complex border conflict in ahighly sensitive region.• Strengthened its status as a credible mediator in Africa.2. Qatari Mediation in the Darfur Crisis – Sudan (2008–2013)Nature of the crisis: An internal, multi-party conflict with ethnic and political roots, resulting in a severe humanitarian crisis and extensive international intervention.Qatar’s efforts:1. Doha hosted lengthy negotiation rounds between the Sudanesegovernment and armed movements.2. These efforts culminated in the signing of the Doha Document for Peacein Darfur (2011).3. Establishment of:o The Darfur Development Bank with a capital of $1 billion (fundedby Qatar)o The Follow-Up Office for the implementation of the document4. Qatar hosted the Darfur Reconstruction Conference in 2013, whichsecured more than $3 billion in support.5. Qatar continued its political, humanitarian, and developmental support forthe implementation of the agreement.Significance:• The Doha Document became the most comprehensive and effective peaceagreement in the history of the Darfur crisis, despite more than 77previous initiatives.• It was considered by the United Nations and the African Union as apivotal step toward restoring stability to the region.General ConclusionQatar has emerged as a key player in managing regional conflicts due to:• Diplomatic and media soft power• Neutrality and international acceptance• Broad networks of alliances• Economic capabilities that enable linking peace with developmentIts initiatives in Darfur and the Djibouti–Eritrea border conflict stand as leading examples of Qatar’s role as an impartial mediator and major actor in building peace in the region