October 19-21, 2017, Kigali, Rwanda – Members of the Peace and Security Cluster of the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) met in Kigali, Rwanda from 19-21 October, 2017. The purpose of the meeting was to operationalize and sustain the Livingstone Formula/Maseru outcomes within ECOSOCC; thus ensuring ECOSOCC formally assumes its assigned role of coordinating African civil society on issues of Peace and Security within the Union, to critically examine the Livingston/Maseru mechanism and to propose a functional mechanism for the effective roll-out of the Formula and to re-examine the efforts made in the implementation of the three years action plan on silencing the guns in Africa by 2023 adopted by the 2016 civil society forum organized by ECOSOCC and PSC retreat in Lusaka.

The meeting was also a platform for the participants to adopt recommendations and resolutions on the engagement of CSOs with the Peace and Security Council (PSC) and other organs and institutions working on issues of peace and security in Africa.

In his welcoming remarks during the Forum, ECOSOCC Rwanda Member formally welcome all participants on behalf of the Republic of Rwanda and express his delight that the workshop is taking place in Kigali. ‘ECOSOCC Member Cyrus Munyaburanga said that the government of Rwanda send a heartily welcome and hope that the meeting will come up with strong recommendations that would strengthen the synergy between civil society and PSC in order to have a peaceful Africa’.

Mr Jalel Chelba, Head of Civil Society Division in CIDO extended the goodwill and support message of H.E. Dr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AUC Chairperson and his sustained interest and support for civil society and ECOSOCC activities. ‘Peace and Security is a vital area to all Africans and also a primary mandate of the African Union and the Commission. Peace and Security is a pre-requisite for development and integration, a necessary condition for improving the welfare and the quality of life of our people on the continent. It is important, therefore, that the entire citizenry be part of its policy-making process. This is the challenge, opportunity and benefit offered by the Livingston Formula’.

Mr. Amadou Diongue, Ag. Secretary of the Peace and Security Council provided some insights on Peace and Security issues on the continent. He said that it is the CSOs, with regard to the contribution of the promotion of peace and security, have to engage with governments, including through the national chapters of ECOSOCC.

The Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, Mr. Richard Ssewakiryanga, extended EOSOCC appreciation of the goodwill and support of the people and government of Rwanda for hosting this workshop and for the warm hospitality. Mr. Ssewakiryanga said that ‘we shall be brainstorming and strategizing on the appropriate ways of not only fully operationalizing the Livingstone mechanism but also evaluating how far we have gone with the implementation of the AU PSC Master Road Map on Silencing the guns in Africa by 2020’.

After three days on intense deliberations, the meeting that was attended by various CSOs group and experts in different fields adopted various recommendations aiming at enhancing the role of CSOs in the area of Peace and Security on the continent.

It should be recalled that the Livingstone Formula provides the right mechanism for CSOs to interact with the PSC. In this regard, the Chairperson of PSC in consultation with other members of PSC could invite CSOs to deliver presentations in the PSC meetings. Equally, the Chairperson of the AU Commission shall also consider a request from any CSO to participate in the PSC meetings. It also identifies areas of contribution by CSOs towards the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa.

For more information please contact:

AU ECOSOCC:

ecosocc@africa-union.org

Mr. Ngalim Eugine Nyudine, Chair of Peace & Security Cluster AUECOSOCC:

ngalimeug@yahoo.com