Madam Bineta Diop, the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security, has praised the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) as the leading Center of Excellence in Africa. During a courtesy visit by the Executive Management Committee of KAIPTC to the African Union Commission in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Madam Diop emphasized the significant role of KAIPTC in peace and security, particularly in relation to women, peace, and security.
Madam Diop highlighted the crucial roles that women play in the peace and security architecture, including conflict prevention, peace negotiations, and post-conflict reconstruction. She commended KAIPTC for its contribution to gender mainstreaming and reinforcing the women, peace, and security agenda in Africa. Madam Diop expressed the African Union Commission’s commitment to working closely with the center and acknowledged KAIPTC’s knowledge, expertise, and dedication in providing skills on women’s perspectives in peace and security.
Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of KAIPTC, led the delegation and emphasized the importance of deepening cooperation and collaboration with the African Union Commission. He highlighted that the next phase of the center would prioritize the issues of women and youth, with plans to upgrade the Women, Peace and Security Unit to a department and include a youth component. Major General Gyane stressed the significance of empowering women and youth in peace and security processes for sustainable peace in Africa.
Ms. Horname Noagbesenu, Director of the Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Department at KAIPTC, discussed the center’s strategic plan for 2024 to 2028. She emphasized the center’s commitment to elevating the Women, Peace and Security Unit to a department and focusing on critical concerns related to women and youth in peacebuilding processes. Ms. Noagbesenu highlighted the center’s work on peace and security over the past five years, particularly the Continental Results Framework, which has supported the implementation of National Action Plans on women, peace, and security.
Looking ahead, Ms. Noagbesenu emphasized that gender-based violence and the implementation of the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees human rights for African women, would be key areas of focus. She also highlighted the impact of climate change on women and the need to bridge the gap between policy and practice to enhance women’s roles in society. The center aims to create synergistic approaches to address the realities faced by women and youth in communities and contribute to their empowerment.
Overall, the visit reaffirmed the recognition of KAIPTC as a Center of Excellence in Africa and highlighted the ongoing collaboration between KAIPTC and the African Union Commission in advancing women, peace, and security in the region.
