AU, IGAD, KAIPTC, ECOWAS, UNECA and government of Denmark sign agreement on Africa Programme for Peace
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, November 13, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) have signed an agreement with the Government of Denmark on the Africa Programme for Peace (APP). The signing ceremony, which took place under the framework of strengthening the African Peace and Security agenda, was held yesterday, Thursday 12 November 2009, at the AU Headquarters, in Addis Ababa.
On the occasion of the signing ceremony, H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, acknowledged the support of the Danish government and the importance of this agreement towards the implementation of peace and security in Africa as well as for institutional capacity building.
Mr. Mwencha also mentioned the upcoming First AUC/ECA Strategic Partnership Forum, which is scheduled from 1-3 December 2009, at the AUC. “This forum will be used to evaluate Africa’s changing role in the light of emerging global trends and help redefine the quality of partnership between the AUC and its strategic and development partners” he added.
On her part H.E Ulla Tornaes, Minister for Development Cooperation of the Government of Denmark, noted the encouraging reduction of armed conflicts in Africa over the past 10 years, She said that the basic institutions of the African Peace and Security Architecture are playing their role, adding however that they still need to be strengthened.
“The new phase of Danish support in the field of Peace and Security in Africa is broader in scope as it also recognises the importance of strengthening of the democratic development and fighting corruption as conflict preventive measures” she underscored.
Addressing the participants Mr. Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary of UNECA, appreciated the ongoing support of the Danish Government and pledged to put more effort towards the implementation of the AU PSC agenda.
SOURCE
African Union Commission (AUC)
