The Power of Cooperation and Communication. Member Spotlight: Robert Ngangue
In the world of peacebuilding and conflict resolution, few have navigated the complexities of international diplomacy quite like Robert Ngangue. With extensive experience working within the United Nations across various European and African nations, Robert has dedicated his career to fostering dialogue, understanding, and sustainable peace. He has developed expert skills in arenas including international relations, diplomacy, humanitarian work, leadership, project management, and conflict analysis and resolution to bring genuine, sustainable solutions to those facing tumultuous times. Now, as a new member of Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI), he brings a wealth of expertise to the organization’s global mission while continuing to build his own independent consulting practice in the field of Ombudsperson and Mediation services.
Journey into Mediation and Peacebuilding
Robert’s path to mediation was shaped by a deep commitment to social justice and international cooperation. Growing up in Cameroon, he witnessed firsthand the impact of political instability and the necessity of conflict resolution. His academic pursuits and professional ambitions led him to the United Nations, where he became an instrumental figure in peacekeeping and diplomatic negotiations. Robert first received his license in political science from the Université de Yaoundé II Soa in his home country’s capital city. He then received a master’s degree in Conflictology with a focus in Peace and Conflict Management from the Open University of Catalonia – Spain in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). Finally, Robert earned an advanced diploma in Political Science from the École des Hautes Études Internationales et Politiques de Paris.
Robert values establishing profound connections with all those around him, breaking barriers of language, culture, or politics. As a polyglot himself (speaking French, English, and German fluently in addition to his mother tongue), Robert understands the complexities of building a strong foundation of trust, transparency, and loyalty when working with parties in conflict. “Communication breaks a lot of barriers,” Robert shares, “As soon as we are able to adopt the language of one of the parties in conflict, it immediately opens doors.”
In 2000, Robert began building what is now his 25-year legacy working with the United Nations. These valuable 25 years were filled mostly with work in relation to the United Nations Peace Operations. His work took him to numerous countries across Europe and Africa, where he facilitated dialogues between warring factions, mediated political transitions, and helped design peace and reconciliation frameworks for long-term stability. Robert spent a number of years in the Central African Republic and the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire and Kosovo serving with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping. During his role as Human Rights Officer, Regional Office Coordinator and Civil Affairs Coordinator, Robert focused primarily on investigating and protecting human rights, supporting the local government by facilitating dialogue and supporting national peace processes at provincial and regional levels. His role was to engage with influential elites, elders, warlords, civil society, communal, political and religious leaders and international stakeholders to foster peace, mutual acceptance, peaceful cohabitation among rival groups and communities and communal and institutional stability. His more recent work has involved the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO) in Goma, where he designed and implemented strategies and activities to protect civilians, mediated subnational conflicts, supported humanitarian partners, and restored and extended state authority.
One of his most challenging assignments was navigating negotiations between government officials and rebel groups, where trust was fragile and stakes were high. “Mediation is not about imposing solutions,” Robert explains. “It’s about creating a space where parties feel heard, understood, and empowered to build their own path forward.” His work also involved strengthening local mediation capacities, ensuring that communities had the tools and knowledge to resolve disputes independently. “Sustainable peace comes from within,” he emphasizes. “Our role as mediators is to support and amplify the voices of those directly affected by conflict.” His interest in mediation and dialogue facilitation is rooted strongly in the joy he feels when he helps others, “bringing hope to hopeless communities.” Through these experiences, Robert gained unique insights into the root causes of conflict and the strategies needed to bridge divides.
Key Lessons and Mediation Philosophy
Robert’s experiences have shaped a mediation philosophy grounded in patience, cultural sensitivity, shuttle diplomacy and adaptability. He believes that effective mediation requires a deep understanding of historical contexts, root causes, positions and needs as well as the ability to foster trust among conflicting parties. He highlights the importance of listening, reframing and generating mutually acceptable options as a mediator’s greatest skills. “People want to be acknowledged. The moment you create a space for them to share their perspectives without judgment, you unlock possibilities for reconciliation… If you want people to trust you and get to know you, you must exercise the power to open yourself to them.” Additionally, he underscores the role of international collaboration, stressing that peacebuilding must involve local communities, civil society, governments, regional and global organizations working in tandem.
One major endeavor that Robert initiated and helped deliver successfully was the peaceful holidays project in Bangassou, Central African Republic. In July of 2018, while working with the UN Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA), Robert identified the intense divide between groups in the ghost town of Bangassou, where violence and conflict riddled the community. Bangassou was initially known as a “hot zone”, or an area in which any activity or movement could merit killing, kidnapping or violence. To combat such intense violence and initiate peaceful collaboration and togetherness, Robert and his team decided to plan a community-wide soccer, quiz and cultural show tournament. After hours of planning, building trust, and consciously communicating with community members, his team initiated the activity, reaching even the most hardliner leaders. Thousands of community members united over a common cause, illuminating the small steps that can be taken to achieve a tremendous goal. Robert utilized this moment of reunion and collaboration as “an entry point to talk directly to the key leaders who were initially opposing solidarity and cohabitation.” An unprecedented event like this was moving for a number of individuals involved. Robert explained that his intentions go beyond solely community development–he is actively working to build a better future: “We came together with one mission. We need to live together. People who were fighting one another yesterday united today, embracing… we need to think of our children–they are the future of peace.”
Future Goals and Role with MBBI
Now as a member of MBBI, Robert is eager to leverage his expertise to further the organization’s mission of global peacebuilding. He is particularly interested in supporting training programs, mentoring young mediators, and contributing to policy discussions and advocacy that promote sustainable conflict resolution strategies.
He envisions the field of mediation to continue growing networks across Africa, ensuring that more individuals and communities have access to effective conflict resolution tools. “Mediation is a skill that should be embedded in every society,” Robert asserts. “The more we empower people with these tools, the more resilient our communities become.” After 25 years of unwavering commitment and dedication, Robert has taken a step back from his time with the United Nations. His primary goals for his future professional career involve growing his own firm and consulting practice focused on providing mediation and ombudsperson services at family, communal, social, political and workplace settings. He is currently working on a number of projects concerning, notably an international advocacy campaign for a third mediation initiative to end the deadly conflict in Eastern DR Congo and a project to help combat hate speech and violence during the 2025 presidential elections in Cameroon through the creation of a safe political space for tolerance, trust building, echo the voice of the voiceless and violence-free agreement among the presidential candidates and their respective supporters.
Robert Ngangue’s journey is a testament to the power of dialogue and the impact that skilled mediators can have in resolving conflicts. His experiences with the United Nations and his commitment to peacebuilding prove his unwavering commitment to the global mediation community. As he embarks on this new chapter with MBBI, Robert remains steadfast in his belief that peace is possible—one conversation at a time. “Every conflict has a solution,” he says. “It’s just a matter of finding the right approach to uncover it.”
Article by Sarah Stenovec, MBBI Writer