Professional background and experience:

Sokfa is a researcher and practitioner in mediation, conflict transformation and digital peacebuilding across Africa. He is the Deputy Director of the Centre for Mediation in Africa, University of Pretoria, and the co-lead for the Africa Community Mediation projects of Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI). He has been trained and accredited by Conflict Dynamics. He is a Rotary Peace Fellow and is on the Mediators’ roster of the World Bank’s CAO. 

Mediation experience and style:

Sokfa has conducted community, political, interfaith/cultural and international organisational mediation. He has contributed in process design and supported processes internationally. Sokfa has facilitated several multistakeholder and community dialogue processes. He has developed and delivered mediation training and coaching to different groups in Africa. His mediation style is adaptive, depending on the situation and the needs of parties.

Facilitation experience and style:

Over the last 15 years, Sokfa's facilitation skills have become invaluable in the mediation and dialogue processes he conducts. These skills have enabled him, in collaboration with Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBBI), to facilitate and coach mediators across Southern and East Africa.

Sokfa has undergone several trainings focused on enhancing facilitation skills. In 2004, he completed the Development Education and Leadership Services (DELES) training in Nigeria, which involved four 5-day workshops over two years. Participants were required to complete projects between each workshop, primarily facilitating development events and learning exchanges.

In 2022, Sokfa trained with the International Centre for Ethnoreligious Mediation (ICERM) in New York, where the curriculum emphasized facilitation skills for social, community, and interfaith mediation and dialogues, which often involve multiple stakeholders and groups. Additionally, in 2024, he completed leadership training at the Julius Nyerere Leadership Centre at Makerere University, focusing on facilitating leadership engagements.

Comments from clients:

“He has a calm demeanour, listens carefully and responds to what is happening within the environment. He is present, curious, adaptable and confident, as well as gentle throughout”

“His professionalism and incredible experience in community mediation and peacebuilding paired with flexibility and creativity added extra value."

“In my experience, Dr Sokfa John is a capable mediator who is able to navigate the complexities of disputes and create safe spaces for productive dialogue."