Lusaka, 7 June 2022 (TDI): The African Union (AU) Commission is holding a meeting for Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms for prevention, Management, and Resolution (RECs /RMs) on the execution of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps for Silencing the Guns (STG) in Africa by 2030.
The meeting is in Lusaka, Zambia, and will last for three days. The meeting began on Monday, 6th June 2022. Arthur Kalaluka, Zambian Air force Chief of Operations, opened the meeting.
The attendees of the meeting include important representatives from different departments and divisions. Such as Political Affairs, Peace and security department, the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism(ACSRT), and Economic, Social and Cultural Council(ECOSOCC) and AU partners such as the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
What Topics Will the Meeting Focus on?
The meeting will conclude the execution plan. Additionally, the plan will guide the operationalization of the monitoring. Moreover, the plan can also contribute to the evaluation framework of the AU Master Roadmap Silencing the Guns. Meanwhile, the Regional Economic Communities will converge to conclude the execution plan and road map on practical steps.
The meeting will include important aspects. For instance, agreements on the establishment of the Steering committee including the relevant departments of the AUC and focal points /officers in each REC/RM to countercheck and coordinate the activities related to the STG initiative. Some roles of the committee include:
- Promoting collaboration and synergy with the REC/RMs on the execution of the AU master road.
- It is to serve as a collaborative platform to aid regular exchanges between the AU, RECs/RMs, Civil Society organizations, Academia, private sectors, and other stakeholders. The parties are taking part in the implementation of the Silencing the Guns Master Road.
Elizabeth Mutunga, Head of Governance, Peace, and Security at COMESA Secretariat has emphasized the importance of continuously examining the external environment when developing an implementation plan for Monitoring and Evaluation.
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