The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) elected its new leadership at the 2nd Ordinary Session of the 4th Permanent General Assembly on 12th December 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. Given the critical and growing importance of civil society in the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA); ECOSOCC deemed it more than timely to onboard its new leadership on the APSA and further use this platform to present and pre-validate the Peace and Security CSO Database. The meeting, taking place in Nairobi from 17 to 18 December 2024, marks the beginning of a new chapter in ECOSOCC’s commitment to advancing Africa’s peace and security agenda.
During the meeting, Mr. Louis Cheick Sissoko, the ECOSOCC ‘Presiding Officer Elect (POE) underscored the importance of collaboration and unity in achieving ECOSOCC’s mandate. “It is an honor and a privilege to stand before you as the newly elected Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC,” Mr. Sissoko stated. “Today, we gather not only to mark the beginning of a new leadership chapter but also to reaffirm our shared commitment to advancing peace, security, and inclusive development across our beloved continent.”
Reflecting on the collective strength of ECOSOCC, Mr. Sissoko invoked an African proverb: “The bird that flies off the Earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.” He emphasized that leadership remains grounded in service to Africa’s people.
Mr. Boniface Cheembe of Zambia was officially introduced as the newly appointed Chair for the Peace and Security Cluster Committee. In acknowledging Mr. Cheembe’s leadership, Mr. Sissoko remarked: “Mr. Cheembe, your experience, passion, and dedication to the principles of peace and human rights make you an excellent fit for this critical role. We have every confidence that under your leadership, the Cluster will strengthen its impact and expand opportunities for civil society’s engagement with Africa’s peace and security agenda.”
The meeting also serves as a platform to introduce and pre-validate the Peace and Security CSO Database, an essential tool to enhance coordination and engagement between civil society and the Peace and Security Council ( PSC).
Mr. Sissoko emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: “The creation of this database embodies the principles of transparency, inclusion, and accessibility. It will
ensure that every voice—regardless of geography, language, or technical capacity—can be heard and represented.”
Highlighting the role of civil society in achieving the African Union’s vision of “Silencing the Guns by 2030”, Mr. Sissoko noted: “This is not just a technical exercise—it is a call to action. By strengthening the role of civil society in peace and security, we are fortifying Africa’s defenses against conflict, displacement, and injustice.”
Mr. William Carew, Head of ECOSOCC Secretariat, also highlighted that “Today’s meeting represents a strategic moment in our collective mission to strengthen the APSA. Civil society’s role in this endeavor is irreplaceable. From the Continental Early Warning Systems (CEWS) to conflict prevention, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction, our collective action has had a measurable impact on the peace and security landscape.”
The meeting will span over two days, with interactive sessions to deepen understanding of the APSA and ensure the database’s functionality meets the needs of all stakeholders.
ECOSOCC has introduced two groundbreaking tools: the Peace and Security CSO Database and the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), both of which are instrumental in strengthening civil society’s role in Africa’s peace and security agenda.
The CSO Database is a transformative platform that enhances coordination, engagement, and transparency between civil society organizations (CSOs) and the African Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC). By consolidating data, it ensures that every voice—regardless of geography or technical capacity—has representation, empowering CSOs to play a more active role in conflict prevention, mediation, and reconstruction.
Complementing the database, is the MOOC- Massive online Course on for CSOs working on Peace and Security which serves as an innovative capacity-building tool, providing accessible learning resources to civil society actors across Africa. By leveraging digital technology, the MOOC enables CSOs to acquire foundational skills and knowledge necessary to engage effectively with APSA processes, fostering a more informed and proactive civil society.
These tools exemplify ECOSOCC’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and innovation, reinforcing its strategic contributions to the African Union’s goal of “Silencing the Guns by 2030.” By harnessing the power of data and technology, ECOSOCC is equipping civil society with the tools to drive sustainable peace and security across the continent.
