African Union's Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) hosts training to equip Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with advocacy tools to influence peace and security policy across Africa
The high-impact initiative was designed to equip CSOs with advocacy and policy engagement skills necessary to influence decision-making at regional and continental levels and to strengthen their understanding of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the Conflict Management Cycle.
The training, which drew participants from across the continent, underscored ECOSOCC' s commitment to empowering civil society as a cornerstone of Africa's peace and security agenda, in line with the Livingstone Formula.
Officially opening the training, the Ambassador of the Republic of Ghana to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Ghana to the African Union, Dr. Robert Afriyie, shared his experiences from a global perspective, highlighting Accra's historical legacy as a cradle of Pan-African unity and democratic participation, and the critical role of CSOs.
'I have seen firsthand how CSOs shape narratives and influence peace processes. CSOs have demonstrated their immense power to foster peace. Our training here is about more than technical skills; it is about nurturing an unwavering commitment to objective, consistent advocacy for Africa's future,' Amb. Afriyie stressed.
Amb. Afriyie stressed the need for objective observation, careful separation of short-term narratives from long-term truths, and the importance of working collectively ('our' vs. 'theirs'), in approaching peace and development efforts. He quoted Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma's visionary 'Email from the Future,' emphasizing that the peace of Africa is not only a precondition but a determinant of its development.
Mr. William Carew, Head of ECOSOCC Secretariat, stressed the importance of collective effort in peacebuilding, saying, 'The scourge of conflict constitutes a major obstacle to Africa's socio-economic development. Peace, security, and stability are prerequisites for integration and growth. This training is not just timely; it is critical. We are here to equip CSOs with practical advocacy techniques and policy engagement strategies to ensure your voices are heard, your evidence is valid, and your solutions are integrated into policy frameworks.'
Mr. Carew also highlighted how civil society actors are central to bringing life to the principles of intervention, resolution, and reconstruction embedded within the APSA, stressing, 'Conflicts in Africa are complex, rooted in deep historical, political, and economic realities. Those most affected — the communities — must not be excluded from the solutions.'
Mr. Emmanuel Nzunda, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU), reinforced the call for inclusive conflict prevention and resolution, stating: 'Africa continues to grapple with security challenges with marginalized groups like women and children suffering the most. Inclusive peacebuilding is not optional; it is essential for achieving the goals of the AU's Agenda 2063. Trade unions and CSOs must be recognized as pivotal players in policy formulation, implementation, and evaluation.' He referenced concrete examples where CSO involvement led to successful conflict prevention outcomes and stressed the need for multi-stakeholder partnerships across Member States and AU organs.
Adding to the discussion, Mr. Boniface Cheembe, ECOSOCC Peace and Security Cluster Chair, emphasized the evolving security threats facing Africa, from asymmetric warfare to violent extremism. 'As civil society, we must strengthen our expertise to engage effectively within existing continental frameworks. Popular participation is not a privilege; it is a right. We are the fourth estate, providing alternative voices for peace, security, and social justice across the continent,' he emphasized.
The three-day training included sessions on stakeholder mapping, evidence-based advocacy, AU policy entry points, and message framing for impact. Participants also developed practical action plans for influencing AU and Member State policy, to be integrated into a workshop outcome document. This training combined theoretical and practical sessions to ensure that participating organizations leave empowered to contribute to Africa's peace and security goals.
As part of the training, the participants also paid a courtesy visit to the headquarters of the Organization of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU) on the third day, welcomed by Secretary General Mr. Arezki Mezhoud. This visit underscored ECOSOCC's commitment to fostering collaboration and enhancing civil society engagement within Africa's peace and security architecture.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
Statement of the African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson on International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf joins the global community in commemorating the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. This day is an opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage, knowledge systems, and resilience of indigenous communities across Africa and the world. The Chairperson reaffirms the African Union's commitment, as enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (1981) and guided by the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights' Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities, to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples. He underscores their vital role in preserving cultural diversity, safeguarding the environment, and advancing sustainable development in line with Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. The African Union Executive Council, during its 47th Ordinary Session, urged Member States to strengthen measures to protect the rights of indigenous peoples, and reaffirms its support for the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) as a global normative framework complementing AU instruments. Mr. Youssouf calls on Member States, partners, and all stakeholders to work together, through inclusive policy-making, equitable resource-sharing, and respect for traditional knowledge systems, to ensure that indigenous voices are heard, their rights upheld, and their contributions fully valued in building a more inclusive, just, and sustainable Africa for all. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
Greece air-drops 8.5 tonnes of food aid over Gaza: PM
9 Aug 2025 20:16 Athens (AFP) Greece on Saturday joined EU countries in dropping food aid over Gaza, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said."This morning, two aircraft of the Hellenic Air Force dropped 8.5 tonnes of essential food supplies in areas of Gaza," Mitsotakis said on Facebook."The operation was organised in collaboration with countries from the European Union and the Middle East, aiming to support the basic needs of people in the afflicted region.""Greece will continue to undertake initiatives for the immediate cessation of hostilities, the release of hostages, and the unhindered flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is the duty of all of us to put an end to human suffering immediately," he countries including Britain, France, and Spain have recently partnered with Middle Eastern nations to deliver humanitarian supplies by the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees Philippe Lazzarini has warned that airdrops alone would not avert the worsening UN estimates that Gaza needs at least 600 trucks of aid per day to meet residents' basic has escalated about the situation in the Gaza Strip after more than 21 months of war. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces mounting pressure to secure a ceasefire to bring the territory's more than two million people back from the brink of famine.
Arabian Post
a day ago
- Arabian Post
Ethiopia Claims Egypt is Hatching Plans to Disrupt Dam Project
Ethiopia's energy authorities have raised fresh allegations against Egypt, accusing it of attempting to block the progress of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, one of the continent's most ambitious infrastructure projects. The accusations come ahead of what Ethiopia says will be a significant step in its development, as the country gears up for the operationalisation of its colossal hydroelectric power facility on the Blue Nile. Asheber Balcha, CEO of Ethiopia Electric Power, voiced strong criticisms, asserting that Egypt has been engaged in diplomatic manoeuvres to stall the dam's final stages. He accused Egypt of 'scrambling to create obstacles' in efforts to disrupt Ethiopia's plans to complete and begin utilising the dam's full capacity. The GERD, which has been under construction for over a decade, is positioned to provide a transformative source of energy for Ethiopia. With a projected generation capacity of 6,450 megawatts, the dam is set to revolutionise the country's energy infrastructure, boosting its economy and providing electricity to millions. It also promises to provide energy for neighbouring nations, further increasing its regional importance. ADVERTISEMENT However, the dam has become a source of contention between Ethiopia and Egypt, with Sudan also raising concerns. Egypt, which relies heavily on the Nile for its water supply, views the project as a direct threat to its access to water. The dam, built on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, will regulate the flow of water downstream, a critical concern for Egypt, which fears a reduction in the river's flow could jeopardise its water security. Ethiopia, on the other hand, contends that it has the right to utilise the Nile's resources for its development, arguing that the GERD is vital for its growth, offering much-needed power for a rapidly expanding population. The Ethiopian government has maintained that the dam will not significantly harm the downstream nations' water supply, but this stance has done little to assuage Egypt's worries. Over the past decade, negotiations over the dam have been drawn out and at times stalled. Despite multiple rounds of talks brokered by international mediators, including the United States and the African Union, the three countries have failed to reach a binding agreement on how the dam will be operated, especially during drought conditions when water levels may fluctuate. Ethiopia's accusations against Egypt come amid renewed diplomatic tensions. Last month, Egypt requested that the United Nations Security Council intervene in the dispute, calling for international oversight of the dam's construction and operation. Ethiopia, meanwhile, rejected this call, asserting that the matter should be resolved through direct negotiations between the three countries, in keeping with previous agreements. The ongoing dispute has had significant political ramifications. Egypt, under President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has long used the dam issue as a platform for rallying domestic support. The narrative of protecting Egypt's water resources has become a central theme in the country's foreign policy, with el-Sisi warning that any threat to Egypt's water supply would be met with 'all options on the table.' Ethiopia, on the other hand, has defended its right to construct the dam, positioning it as a critical project for national development and regional integration. Addis Ababa has pointed out that the GERD could benefit Sudan as well, with the potential for flood control and the provision of additional energy. The dispute over the GERD has spilled into the international arena, with various regional and global powers weighing in on the matter. While some nations, such as the United States, have encouraged Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to negotiate in good faith, others have expressed concern over the potential for conflict. The United Nations and the African Union have both been involved in attempting to mediate the talks, though progress has remained limited.
