Category Archives: Africa

Côte d’Ivoire. Association and community leaders make their contribution to peace

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article from Abidjan News (translation by CPNN)

“I love my country, I participate in peace” is the slogan of the NGO “Voice of Women” for its awareness campaign in favor of peace during this election period. Through a series of tours since September 22 in the municipalities of Abidjan, Voice of Women initiated a dialogue with the populations to promote their contribution to peace. The closing stage in Koumassi on Friday, October 09, 2020 at the mayor’s office was no exception. A round table allowed the people to make their contribution to a culture of peace.

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(Click here for the original French version)

Question for this article

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

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Yao Akissi Cedia Christelle, president of the NGO said that the original goal of Voice of Women was to fight against violence against women and children, to build effective leadership of women and young girls in order to ensure their autonomy and development, help these women victims in the judicial and psychological process, educate and sensitize children and adolescents, educate illiterate women and create a reception center. According to President Cynthia, these objectives can only be achieved within a framework of peace, hence the need during this election period for a woman’s voice to take up her pilgrim’s staff and to go out to meet the people to talk about peace.

Mr. Koffi Wilfried Kpondou Deputy Head of the Project Commission stresses the non-political nature of the NGO. In the same vein, the sponsor Kourouma Rokia informed the audience that the Voice of Women intends to maintain this apolitical character in order to achieve its objectives.

Touré Souleymane vice president of cultural and community affairs onveyed the support of Mayor Cissé Bacongo for this initiative, which bodes well for his municipality and the whole of Côte d’Ivoire. According to Mr. Touré, his long teaching career has enabled him to know “the importance of dialogue and above all of the interest of peace and of man at the center of the debates”, he said before declaring the round table open.

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

For a peaceful presidential election in Guinea: NGO CRGN launches awareness campaign for the Guinean population

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by Daouda Yansané in Guinée Live (translation by CPNN)

If all goes as planned, the election of the President of the Republic of Guinea will take place on Sunday, October 18. Many Guineans are concerned that this election should take place in peace, understanding and acceptance. It is for this reason that the NGO Conseil de Réflexion pour une Guinée Nouvelle (CRGN) launched this Friday, October 10, 2020 in Dubréka, an awareness campaign for an inclusive, peaceful, transparent and credible election.

Meeting at the Higher Institute of Arts Mory Kanté of Dubréka, the representatives of the prefecture, local elected officials, the police, the actors of society and the CENI branches launched this activity.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

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According to the organizers, the objective of this awareness campaign is among others: Obtain a large participation of voters in the presidential election and guarantee an inclusive, peaceful, transparent and credible election; sensitize and educate citizens for a campaign without violence, civilized and peaceful, inform voters on how to vote in order to raise the turnout and thus make the ballot more credible, sensitize and educate citizens on the culture of peace, especially in times of elections; encourage a massive vote, etc.

In his presentation, CRGN coordinator Ismaël Koumbassa spoke at length about the importance of voting and asked everyone to participate in these presidential elections by voting on election day. He also asked everyone to preserve peace, social tranquility, national unity and above all to accept the results of the ballot box.

“We will deploy our agents not only in the prefecture of Dubréka, but also its six (6) sub-prefectures to carry out a door to door campaign before, during and after these presidential elections” added the coordinator of the CRGN.

After thanking the NGO Conseil de Réflexion pour une Guinée Nouvelle for the choice of its institute to host the launching ceremony, the Director General of the Higher Institute of Arts Mory Kanté of Dubréka, Professor Sidafa Camara invited each student to spread these messages to families and to neighborhoods in order to raise awareness among the majority of the population.

The ceremony ended with a note of hope for organizers including participants to have a peaceful presidential election.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Senegal: Launch of the National Initiative “Resilience at the Borders”

TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from the Agence de Press Sénégalaise (translation by CPNN)

The think tank Timbuktu Institute-African Center for Peace Studies Institute will launch, Wednesday [October 13], in Kedougou the initiative called “Resilience at the borders” to promote the culture of peace, APS has learned.


Photo from Tibuktu Institute

The launch of this initiative is part of the implementation of the think tank’s 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, and in particular Axis 3 relating to “ Promotion of the culture of peace through education and development of endogenous, cultural heritage and resilience-building resources.”

Timbuktu Institute-African Center for Peace Studies is launching the ‘Border Resiliency’ initiative in partnership with the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.

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(Click here for the original article in French.)

Question related to this article:

Solidarity across national borders, What are some good examples?

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“ In view of the strategic choice to favor border areas in terms of peace consolidation and resilience building, the Institute is launching this initiative with an inaugural session in Kédougou, ” said in a press release sent to APS.

“Building and strengthening resilience in an unstable regional environment: What role and place for young people and women?” Is the theme of the launching ceremony.

The session will be materialized by “a day of capacity building and participatory dialogue on security issues and the building of resilience in a context where the sub-region is deeply concerned by the crisis raging in neighboring countries”.

It will also include a component for the exchange of experiences and collection of strategic recommendations.

A conference will also be moderated by the Director of the Timbuktu Institute, Dr Bakary Sambe, on the theme: “Regional security situation and challenges of building community resilience: Complementary roles of state and local populations”.

Other interventions are also planned and will focus on various themes including “Women and conflict” and the radicalization of young people.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Côte d’Ivoire : The traditional chiefs of Gagnoa call for peaceful elections

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article from Yeclo

The traditional chiefs of Gagnoa have called for peaceful elections, expressed by the second vice-president of the National Chamber of Kings and Traditional Chiefs of Côte d’Ivoire and the president of the regional committee of traditional chiefs of Gôh, Gbizié Lambert, Monday 12 October 2020 in Gagnoa, at the opening of the awareness day for peaceful elections.

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(Click here for the original French version of this article.)

Questions related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

Can traditional chiefs help install a culture of peace in Africa?

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“For some time now, the presidential election has been preceded or followed by tension, crisis and / or violence,” lamented Chief Gbizié Lambert, explained the reason behind the peace awareness tours organized across the country by the National Chamber of kings and traditional leaders to help maintain social cohesion in different regions.

Addressing a hundred or so traditional leaders, community and neighborhood leaders, women and young people, Chief Gbizié reminded everyone that they must relay information back in their respective communities, in order to that the message be known and understood by all, and that everyone should be at the same level, so that peace reigns in Gôh.

With the approach of the 2020 elections, there is an “immobilization” within the communities as a result of the acts, actions and comments of the politicians, worried Chief Gadji Joseph, president of the departmental committee of the traditional chiefs of Gagnoa. According to him, it is therefore the duty of traditional leaders to continue to work for peace.

“We leaders are part of the culture of peace. And as we are your leaders, listen to us, ”he insisted.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Culture of peace: UN calls on Gabon’s youth

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from the Gabon Review (translation by CPNN)

Dedicated to the prevention and resolution of conflicts in the sub-region of Central Africa, the creation of a network of “Young peace weavers” in Gabon, Chad and Cameroon was recently presented to the Minister of Decentralization Mathias Otounga Ossibadjouo by the head of the United Nations System in Gabon, Dr. Stephen Jackson.


Dr Stephen Jackson and Mathias Otounga Ossibadjouo, during a previous meeting in August 2020. copyright: Ministry of Decentralization

The creation of a “Network of Young Peace Weavers” was at the heart of recent exchanges between the head of the United Nations System in Gabon, the representative of UNESCO and the Minister of Decentralization Mathias Otounga Ossibadjouo. The UN intends to set up a program of “young people active in conflict resolution at the local level”. The Gabonese government is asked to help materialize this project.

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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According to Dr Stephen Jackson, the aim will be to involve 1,800 young people from three countries in the Central African sub-region, including Chad and Cameroon, aged between 18 and 35. “We want young people who live there, who speak the languages ​​of these countries, so who are able to communicate, explain and present the project”, specifies Vincenzo Fazzino, UNESCO representative in Gabon .

As part of the creation of this network, UN officials in Gabon indicate that young people who will be identified in the three countries will be trained in conflict prevention and resolution techniques. They will also be equipped with means of communication, in particular to enable them to communicate with each other.

Ultimately, this project should make it possible to support the Conflict Resolution Network through an early warning mechanism within the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). The project will last 2 years, of which the first 3 to 6 months will be devoted to training network members.

(Click here for the original French version of this article)

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY, United Nations,

Les Héritiers du Zouglou release a maxi single to raise awareness among Ivorians

… EDUCATION FOR PEACE …

An article from Linfodrome (translation by CPNN)

“Les Héritiers du Zouglou” released this Thursday, October 01, 2020 a maxi single of two titles, “Never again” and “My Zouglou”. Faced with the tense socio-political situation in Côte d’Ivoire, Bloco, one of the members of the group, confided that the objective is to sensitize the political class and the Ivorians, in particular the youth, to peace and social cohesion.


The Héritiers du Zouglou call on Ivorians to raise collective awareness.

A few weeks away from the presidential election scheduled for October 31, 2020, Les Héritiers du Zouglou are making their return to the Ivorian music scene with two titles, “Never again” and “My Zouglou”. In their songs, they particularly invite young people, political leaders and all the sons and daughters of the Ivory Coast to the culture of peace.

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Question related to this article:

What place does music have in the peace movement?

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The strong lyrics of their maxi single call out. “We want peace. We don’t want any more war. Never again in my country. It is hand in hand that we will have development,.”

Bloco Héritier spoke of their source of inspiration. “It was the current events that inspired us. The events that took place in the different cities also inspired us,” he said.

In their maxi single, Les Héritiers du Zouglou make it clear that Ivorian politics and the future of Côte d’Ivoire are not necessarily linked to the three great political leaders who are Henri Konan Bédié, Gbagbo Laurent and the current president, Alassane Ouattara. “Their time will pass, but the Ivory Coast will always remain,” Bloco Héritier remarked.

Africa, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Burkina Faso Center Region: 96 hours of activities for the culture of peace

.. DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION ..

An article by E.K. Samboé in Le Faso (translation by CPNN)

“Culture of peace, prevention and management of crises; guarantees of sustainable social cohesion ”. This is the theme of the 3rd edition of the “96 hours of the Center region.” The festivities were launched in Ouagadougou on October 1, 2020 by a panel organized at the Burkinabè Shippers Council (CBC). An opportunity for participants to reflect on the issues of the day, in particular peace, crisis prevention and management, social cohesion, etc.


For the governor of the Center region, Sibiri de Issa Ouédraogo, “the 96 hours intend to establish a period of reflection and action around ways and means for strengthening social cohesion in the Center region”.

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(Click here for the article in French)

Questions for this article:

The culture of peace at a regional level, Does it have advantages compared to a city level?

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The panelists, composed of historians, anthropologists and civil society actors, proposed solutions to strengthen social cohesion during the discussions. For the governor, “by dealing with social cohesion, this panel will put us on the need to unite for a useful whole, in order to fight against the scourges which hamper the peace of the populations and the harmonious development of our region”.

At the end of the panel, the governor expects the participants to work for a peaceful social climate, in order to contribute to the economic and social development of the Central region. But also, that they be ambassadors of social cohesion with the various parts of the population.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Diffa, Niger: Launch of an awareness campaign to strengthen the participation of women and young people in intercommunity dialogue

. WOMEN’S EQUALITY .

An article by Mato Adamou in News a Niamey (translation by CPNN)

On Tuesday, September 29, 2020, there was a launching ceremony of the awareness campaign to strengthen the participation of women and young people in the various inter-community dialogue frameworks and to facilitate the consideration of their specific needs. This ceremony took place in the meeting room of the Governorate under the chairmanship of the Governor of the region Mr. Issa Lemine.

We noted on this occasion the presence of the prefect of Diffa, the Head of the Diffa office of OXFAM, the head of the FAO Sub-Office, the Head of Canton of Koumadougou, representatives of the Communes of N’Gourti, of N ‘ Guigmi, Kablewa, Toumour, Gueskérou and Bosso. Organized by the NGO OXFAM, this ceremony aims to put in place a holistic approach that supports the Emergency-Development-Peacebuilding triptych.

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(Click here for the original French version)

Question for this article

Can the women of Africa lead the continent to peace?

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In her speech on this occasion, the Head of the OXFAM office first thanked the participants for their massive participation in this ceremony before setting the objective of this activity. According to Hadjia Gouya Mahamane Delley, the aim is to sensitize communities on the importance of taking into account the specific needs of women and young people in community decision-making bodies. It is also about sensitizing these communities on the role of women and young people in the culture of peace, social cohesion, peaceful coexistence and non-violent conflict management. The Head of the Diffa office of OXFAM also noted the feasibility of presenting a plea to the leaders for a better representation of women and young people in community programs. Finally, she insisted on the important role of women in the management of conflicts linked to transhumance.

Launching this campaign, the Governor of Diffa first welcomed the initiative to involve women and young people in the different decision-making systems within the communities. Mr. Issa Lemine then underlined that the issue of local development is essential for good governance. It is a challenge for public authorities, local authorities and local communities. For the governor of the Diffa region, this approach is part of the participatory and in-depth analysis of the determinants of conflicts and factors of peace to strengthen regional and local consultation frameworks, with a view to facilitating peaceful access to natural and especially pastoral resources for a contribution to the consolidation of peace.

Africa, WOMEN'S EQUALITY

Nigeria: Akeredolu, Jegede, Ajayi Sign Peace Accord

. . DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION . .

An article by James Sowole from This Day Live

The Ondo State Governor and the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, his two major challengers, the state’s deputy governor and candidate of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Hon. Agboola Ajayi, and Eyitayo Jegede, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other governorship candidates have promised to embrace peace in the forthcoming Ondo election.


The Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Sokoto, who is a member of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Matthew Hassan Kukah, watching the Ondo State Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, as he signs the Peace Accord.

The candidates made the pledge at the signing of a peace accord organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The event took place at the International Cultural and Event Centre, the Dome in Akure, the state capital.

Addressing the contestants, the chairman of NPC and former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), who spoke via Zoom, advised all stakeholders to demonstrate commitment to the spirit of the accord.

The former head of state, who urged the candidates to use the Edo election as a lesson for the Ondo State exercise, called on the electorate to cast their votes in the election without fear of intimidation or coercion.

He explained that those who signed the peace accord had committed themselves to ensuring peace in Ondo State and Nigeria at large before, during and after the election.

“The tension and anxiety associated with election necessitated the setup of the National Peace Committee which is to support peaceful election process and enthrone culture of peace.

“In 2014, the committee conveyed efforts to support peaceful election as well as ensuring a peaceful transition.

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Question related to this article:

How should elections be organized in a true democracy?

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“The intervention of the committee contributed immensely to the success of the 2015 election. The NPC has since successfully intervened in the general election to ensure a peaceful outcome to the 2019 general election even at the just concluded Edo governorship election.

“The governorship election in Ondo State is only a few days away and we want peace during and after the election. We want to see Nigeria as a place where people come out peacefully and vote during the election without deprivation and Ondo State deserves this.

“As we go into the election, we have been given assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that they will conduct a free, fair and credible election. The rest is left for the voters to do what is right,” Abubakar said.

Also, members of the NPC, Bishop Mathew Kukah, and the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, charged the youth not to allow themselves to be used for political violence.

According to Bishop Kukah, “It is imperative to call on everyone to work towards peaceful election to ensure peace reign during and after the election.”

In his remarks, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mamood Yakubu, said the commission had met 12 of the necessary steps for the smooth conduct of the election. Yakubu urged political parties and their supporters to maintain peace for the conduct of the exercise to be peaceful.

The Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, represented by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Leye Oyebade, while assuring the people of the safety of lives and properties, said the police had been able to map out all the three senatorial districts and the 18 local government areas in the state.

The IG advised members of the public to follow the guidelines for a peaceful election.

In their words, the three major candidates from APC, PDP and ZLP, Akeredolu, Jegede and Ajayi restated their commitment to ensuring a peaceful poll.

Other political parties that signed the accord apart from the three major ones included Accord Party, the African Alliance (AA), African Democratic Congress (ADC), African Democratic Party (ADP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The event was also attended by the Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas and the Olugbo of Ugboland, Oba Fedrick Akinruntan, the Deji of Akure, other traditional rules and religious leaders, among others.

Africa, DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION

Young Liberian Off to Turkey for Global Peace Chain Summit

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article from the Liberian Observer

Mariama H. Konneh, a young Liberian women’s rights advocate, has been selected to participate in the Global Peace Chain summit 2020 in Turkey. The summit, set for October 15 through 18, aims to provide a platform for young leaders to form partnerships, bring solutions, and theory on ways to reshape how the world response to the 2030 UN sustainable development Goals amid COVID-19.


Mariama H. Konneh, young Liberian women’s rights advocate

Konneh, a student of network engineering with a focus on systems administration at the Blue Crest University in Monrovia, says she has been involved with advocacy since she was a child during the heat of the civil war in my country during which children of all ages were raped, killed and forced into hard labor and fighting forces.

“Advocacy does not necessarily mean protest or agitation, but a way in which we add our peaceful voices to the problems we face nationally or globally to make our world a peaceful place for all humanity,” she says.  “Having witnessed multiple incidents of violence perpetrated against women in Liberia, I voluntarily joined the Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) to support their work and add my voice on issues affecting women and girls in my country. I have 8 years of experience in community service, particularly working on gender equality and environmental protection campaigns.” 

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Question related to this article:
 
Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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Konneh says she volunteers with many youth-led organizations in Liberia, including those involved with campaigns against rape, gender-based violence, corruption, and environmental pollution. Hers is a call to duty which she says, inspired by the words of former US President John F. Kennedy: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.”

“I am so excited to participate in the Global Peace Chain,” she says. “This will bring so much pride to my country and inspiration to other young people working on the same causes I believe in. I will use the knowledge to conduct trainings around the country and pass-on the knowledge to many other young Liberians who wish to contribute to social change and peace. By transferring knowledge and skills gained from the Global Peace Chain, I hope to build a network of youth activists committed to non-violence advocacy and values of tolerance and peaceful coexistence.” 

The Global Peace Chain has more than 75 peace ambassadors from Liberia, including Konneh, who was selected as an ambassador in December 2018. The organization so far has more than 2,330 peace ambassadors in more than 130 countries around the world.

Established on July 2, 2018, Global Peace Chain is an international non-profit organization that empowers youth and reinforces the vitality of youth leadership and development through partnership-driven activities, Community service initiatives, and peace-building workshops. Global Peace Chain envisions to build resilience by cultivating a culture of tolerance, inclusivity, interfaith harmony, and co-existence through the contribution toward the UN SDGs, peace education, interactive sessions and peace talks with society stakeholders such as diplomats, religious scholars, and community-based groups/organizations. The Global Peace Chain is headquartered in the United States of America, with regional offices in Pakistan, Nepal, Burundi and Mauritius for reinforcing youth leadership and development.

The Global Peace Summit 2020 in Turkey serves as one of our initiatives to bring young leaders from diverse ethnic, religious and Professional backgrounds and empower them to continue developing young leaders and contributing to a culture of peace through the achievement of the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Africa, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY