At The Opening of ECOSOCC Training of Trainers Session… Foreign Affairs Minister Calls On CSOs To Be Ambassadors of the AU Peace and Security Architecture

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Sierra Palms Hotel, Aberdeen Freetown-30th October 2023

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs, Musa Timothy Kabba has called on Civil Society Organizations to be Ambassadors of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture.
Minister Kabba made the call during the opening session of a three-day Training of Trainers program organized by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) for Civil Society Organizations on Information gathering, conflict analysis, and Early Warning Response at the Sierra Palms Hotel in Aberdeen Freetown.

The Foreign Affairs Minister described the event as a step in deepening CSO’s understanding of political context and also an opportunity to learn how to generate evidence that will inform political decisions through conflict analysis. This he said will intensify the collective actions of both the Government and CSOs in protecting democracy from sliding into tyranny.

“Let me express my gratitude to the ECSOCC Leadership for choosing Sierra Leone to host this Training of Trainers program for Civil Society Organizations on Information Gathering, Conflict Analysis, and Early Warning/ Response under the EU-APSA IV Programme.

It is a privileged moment for me and for those who don’t know, a couple of years ago that I was actively engaged with ECOSOCC so, I am honored to welcome my civil society family home. It is time for the continent to recognize that we have a common problem and we can either have a common solution or no solution at all; this is a message that I also want to convey to my colleagues at the Executive Council when I get to meet with them but also to all Civil Society actors on the continent,” he said.
Minister Kabba reiterated the significance of the event as it underscores the shared commitment of our great continent, Africa to achieving peace, security, and stability.
“The African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) serves as the cornerstone of our collective efforts to ensure a peaceful and secured continent. Within APSA, the Continent Early Warning System (CEWS) plays a pivotal role, allowing us to promptly identify potential conflict triggers and respond swiftly to mitigate conflicts across Africa,” the Minister said while underscoring the importance of the ECOSOCC training to empower and enhance the capacity of CSOs in information gathering, conflict analysis, and early warning/response.

The Minister urged participants to see the training as an opportunity to strengthen the collective role of government and CSOs’ to ensure peace, security, and stability across the African continent.
“Together, we can build a better future for our nations, our people, and our beloved continent,” he added.
The three-day ECOSOCC training of Trainers seeks to empower CSOs on the continent’s early warning systems, covering their components, operations, and functions, highlighting its essential role within the APSA framework.

They will also be trained in the components that underpin the effectiveness of Early Warning Systems, unpacking the various methods and sources for data collection, and the intricate analytical processes that transform these data into practical recommendations.

Strengthening Bilateral Ties with Sierra Leone… South Korea Donates IT Equipment to Foreign Service Academy

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MoFAIC Building Tower Hill, Freetown, 16th October 2023.

The Republic of South Korea has supported the Foreign Service Academy of Sierra Leone with modern IT equipment worth Two Hundred Thousand United States dollars.
The donated items include laptop and desktop computers, cameras and accessories, and HD TV screens.

Presenting the items, Ambassador Kim Young Chae South Korea’s Ambassador to Sierra Leone, said it was the first time such a high-powered delegation from South Korea was visiting Sierra Leone, which he said was a demonstration of strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
Ambassador Chae said that South Korea will open an embassy in Sierra Leone in 2024 to show the country’s deepening bilateral relations with Sierra Leone and to also support the development trajectory of the Government of Sierra Leone.

Earlier, the delegation met with His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio at the State House.

Head of the delegation and South Korea’s Minister of Agriculture H.E Chung Hwang Keun said their engagement was fruitful and promising; noting that both countries can collectively work together in the interest of their people as they take their non-permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council for the 2024-2025 period.

H. E Chung Hwang Keun said the meeting with President Bio led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understating between the two countries which is in line with the K Rice Belt project.
The MOU was signed at a time when Sierra Leone is implementing the ‘Feed Salone’ program which was launched by President Bio.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Timothy M. Kabba welcomed the donation and said it extended the relation beyond diplomatic ties.
Minister Kabba said South Korea has a lot to share with Sierra Leone when it comes to Human Capital Development because South Korea used human capital development to grow its economy.
Kabba said that a country’s growth is not determined by the amount of natural resources it has but the strength of its human capital. That, he said, was the reason why President Bio is building a strong educational pillar for generations yet unborn.

Minister Kabba said both Sierra Leone and South Korea exist in regions with security challenges but together in the UN Security Council, they could collectively work to foster peace and security.
The Acting Director of the Foreign Service Academy, Ambassador Sullay Daramy thanked the Government of South Korea for boosting the institution with the much-needed facilities that will be utilized judiciously to provide diplomatic training and to make the FSA a center of excellence within the sub-region.

The Foreign Service Academy was commissioned by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in January this year to build the capacity of the country’s diplomats and other nationals through diplomatic training.

From the Directorate of Communications
MoFAIC, Freetown.
+23276571819