The African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council has convened the third Technical Workshop on Civil Society Organizations’ engagement in the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) in collaboration with the African Union Commission Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department (PAPS), Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs) and the European Union Delegation to the AU to develop and conclude on a 2022 project work plan for implementation as agreed by the Steering Committee in their August 31st meeting.
ECOSOCC, during the Steering Committee presented a Joint Plan of Action that was developed by the Tripartite Technical Workshop (comprising ECOSOCC, COMESA and PAPS) on strengthening CSO engagement within the EU APSA IV Framework, for its adoption and approval.
The primary objective of the Joint Plan of Action is to enable effective coordination, partnership, and meaningful participation of African civil society in the EU APSA IV Framework, and to reposition ECOSOCC as a viable and reliable stakeholder at all stages of conflict prevention, management and resolution.
ECOSOCC, in its capacity as the AU Organ mandated to facilitate civil society participation in the work of the Union, working in partnership with PAPS and RECs/RMs is ensuring the relevant provisions in the Peace and Security Protocol, the Livingstone Formula and the Maseru Conclusions are fully implemented with a view to enhancing the involvement and participation of CSOs in the peace and security activities of the AU.
Opening the 3rd Technical Workshop on CSO engagement within the EU APSA Framework, ECOSOCC Acting Presiding Officer, Denise Kodhe commended the tripartite initiative that is meant to enhance the participation of African CSOs in the APSA Framework noting that, “achieving a peaceful Africa is possible though the road is long.”
Mr. Kodhe said the tripartite engagement was critical to achieve peace and security in
Africa and hoped it would serve as an example to other organisations on the continent.
ECOSOCC Head of Secretariat, William Carew expressed confidence that CSOs could make a significant impact in addressing the numerous challenges the African Continent is faced with in peace, security and stability.
“CSOs not only hold the key to nations’ democracy and prosperity but are vital to nations’ security,” he said.
Acting Director, Conflict Management Division AUC PAPS, Fiona Lortan, emphasized that the AU had made it clear that sustainable and effective intervention in peace and security, required the inclusion and participation of Africa’s citizens in their various formations.
“The Peace and Security Council, thus has recognized the primary mandate of ECOSOCC in spearheading this and has outlined the principles aimed at facilitating CSOs interaction with the PSC – including inter alia, constructive engagement, relevance and flexibility,” she said.
Also speaking during the opening session, Isla Pablo, representing the EU delegation to the AU, informed the meeting that the EU APSA IV initiative marked the first framework to support peace and security at the regional and continental levels in Africa as in the recent past, the EU only had specific frameworks to provide support on peace and security at national levels in Africa.
Richard Atwaru, speaking on behalf of the COMESA Head of Governance, Peace and Security Unit, Ms. Elizabeth Mutunga noted that while national governments had the primary responsibility to ensure peace and security within their borders, CSOs also have a very important role to play, particularly being close to the grassroots, where most intra-state conflicts start.
The Joint Plan of Action will be implemented through a consortium model with ECOSOCC as the lead implementing AU Organ and COMESA and the AUC PAPS as co-implementers. In addition, ECOSOCC will spearhead the development of the 2022 project implementation work-plan in consultation with RECs/Regional Mechanisms and the EUD.
