The ECOWAS Commission and the Arab Republic of Egypt are exploring the possibility for greater cooperation in peace and security, towards making West Africa a safer and more stable region on the continent.

This came to the fore when the Egyptian Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS H.E. Mohamed Fouad paid a courtesy call on the ECOWAS Commission’s Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace and Security Dr. Abdel-Fatau Musa on the 16th May 2024 in Abuja, Nigeria.

Commissioner Musa stated that the operationalization of the ECOWAS counter terrorism Force is one such area where cooperation is needed. He hinted that plans are afoot to convene a special summit on the future of regional integration, even as the regional organisation is working very hard to ensure that the heightened geo-political interests in the region do not lead to proxy wars.

Stating that ECOWAS has a lot to learn from Egypt on regional peace consolidation, the Commissioner disclosed that ECOWAS was opposed to the idea of withdrawal of Member States from the Community because such actions were against the principle of integration and pan Africanism.

Particularly, the Commissioner noted that the ECOWAS Commission was looking forward to seeing how Egypt can “support the impact of the dynamics of the current happenings in Libya in such a way as can guarantee the safety of the Sahel, having now been established that the Sahel is defining our peace and security environment today”  

Responding, Ambassador Fouad acknowledged ECOWAS as the most successful regional economic community on the continent and noted that even though Egypt is not in West Africa, it is mindful of the proximity of the border areas of the region and the Maghreb.

Egypt, he stressed is very much disposed to having a holistic approach to tackling issues of terrorism, cross border crimes, insecurity and insurgencies.

He said Egypt’s cooperation with ECOWAS stems from mutual understanding and shared needs for capacity building and information exchange while both sides expressed optimism that the experiences of Egypt would be very valuable to the regional peacekeeping, mediation and integration efforts of ECOWAS.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Continuing her farewell visits with Somali leaders, the top United Nations official for Somalia today visited Puntland where she discussed the world body’s support in areas such as local development and national dialogue.

“I’m particularly grateful to President Deni for taking time out of his retreat – he’s having his first retreat with his new cabinet today as they talk about development plans and how they’re going to take them forward,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Somalia, Catriona Laing.

“That was one of the topics we talked about,” she continued, “and [also] the role the UN will play in supporting the various pillars of their development plan – I’m glad to say he has got some high ambition there.”

The UN Special Representative was speaking in Puntland’s capital, Garowe, following meetings with Puntland’s President Said Abdullahi Deni and members of his cabinet. It was her fifth visit to the northern Federal Member State. Accompanying her was the UN Secretary-General’s Deputy Special Representative for Somalia, Raisedon Zenenga.

National engagement

In her remarks, the UN Special Representative said Somalia’s ongoing constitutional review process, and a communique from a recent meeting of the National Consultative Council (NCC) held in Mogadishu, were also discussed.  They acknowledged the need for inclusive dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia and Puntland around the country’s ongoing constitutional process. 

“I, of course, offered the UN’s ‘good offices’ role to support him on that,” Ms. Laing added.

Other topics covered in their discussion included security across the country and the importance of all Somalis coming together in the fight against terrorist groups Al-Shabaab and Islamic State. 

While in Garowe, Ms. Laing was also presented with farewell gifts by representatives of local civil society groups in recognition of her support for women’s full participation and inclusion in Somali life.

The UN Special Representative completes her assignment later in May and has been having farewell meetings with the leaders of Somalia’s Federal Member States, as well as with the top officials of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM).

Medical officers from Somali Security Forces (SSF), United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) have completed a three-day training programme on providing emergency care to battlefield casualties.

The training, organized by the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) and facilitated by instructors from the Nairobi-based Kenya Red Cross Training Institute, aimed to enhance the capacity of SSF and ATMIS medical personnel to provide robust pre-hospital medical support during joint military operations. The three-day training started from 13-16 May 2024.

“This training is important in reducing the risk of losing our brave soldiers due to improper management of injuries sustained on the frontline,” said the Head of ATMIS, Ambassador Mohamed El-Amine Souef during his opening remarks on Monday.

Ambassador Souef further emphasised that the training will not only enhance the quality of emergency treatment for soldiers but also benefit local communities.

“In the event of mass casualty incidents, the local population will also receive improved care from the Somali Security Forces and ATMIS troops. The skills and knowledge gained during this training will enable our medical personnel to provide critical assistance to civilians in need, strengthening the bond between the security forces and the communities they serve,” Ambassador Souef elaborated.

The Head of UNSOS, Assistant Secretary-General, Dr. Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, said the training was an important contribution to ongoing efforts to enhance the skills and capabilities of SSF and ATMIS personnel in order to facilitate a smooth and sustainable transfer of security responsibilities to Somali Security Forces.

“Capacity building is one of the key cornerstones of ensuring a successful security transition from the African Union mission to the Somali Security Forces. By equipping our medical personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge, we are not only supporting the safety and well-being of our troops but also contributing to the broader goal of enabling Somalia to take its rightful position in maintaining peace and stability within its borders, ” said Dr Kacyira.

The 53 participants expressed their gratitude to UNSOS for organizing the training and pledged to share the acquired knowledge with their counterparts.

“In war, there are both civilian and military casualties. We have acquired critical skills that will save lives on the battlefield,” said Chief Adjutant Melchiade Marisasi, an Anaesthesiologist from the ATMIS Burundi Contingent based in Jowhar.

Osman Abdi Osman, a medic from the Somali National Army (SNA) Hospital in Mogadishu, pledged to apply the newly acquired skills to save more military and civilian lives.

“This training is timely and has enhanced our skills. It will leave a lasting impact on our clinical practice and patient care,” said Dr. Capt. Patrick Otim from the ATMIS Level II Hospital in Mogadishu.

Senior UN and ATMIS officials, including the acting Director of UNSOS, Ms Cristina Gavazzo, ATMIS Medical Planning Officer, Dr. Komlan Moreira, and UNSOS Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Papa Alioune Fall, attended the closing ceremony.

The comprehensive course covered essential topics such as Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Basic Life Support (BLS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), equipping the participants with a wide range of skills to effectively manage medical emergencies in both military and civilian settings.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS).

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared that the late retired Constitutional Justice Yvonne Mokgoro be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 1.

Justice Mokgoro, who was an Esteemed Member of the Order of the Baobab, passed away on 9 May 2024 at the age of 73.

In recognition of her distinguished career and contribution to the nation, President Ramaphosa has declared, in terms of Chapter 1.3.2(a) of the State, Official and Provincial Funeral Policy Manual, that the late justice be accorded a Special Official Funeral Category 1.

The distinguishing features of a special official funeral in this category include ceremonial elements by the South African National Defence Force.

President Ramaphosa has also declared that the national flag be flown at half mast at all flag stations around the country from tomorrow morning, Sunday, 19 May 2024, until the evening of the funeral on Thursday, 23 May 2024.

Further details of the funeral, which will be held in Johannesburg, will be made known in due course.

Justice Mokgoro, one of the first Justices to be appointed to the Constitutional Court when it was established in 1994, was also the first black woman judge of the apex court.

During her legal career, she taught a number of law courses at universities in South Africa, the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

She was a member of the International Women’s Association (Washington DC), the International Association of Women Judges, the International Federation of Women Lawyers and the South African Women Lawyers Association. In 2006, she was selected as an icon of the history of Women Lawyers in South Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.