June 25, 2019 - (Addis Ababa) Ethiopia –A multi thematic programme under IGAD Promoting Peace and Stability in the Horn of Africa Region – (IPPSHAR) being implemented by the IGAD Peace and Security Division (PSD) held its 2^nd Steering Committee meeting on June 25, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to update the committee on progress made on the implementation of activities under IPPSHAR.

The meeting was chaired by the IGAD Executive Secretary, H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim and was co-chaired by the Austrian Ambassador to Ethiopia H.E Amb. Roland Hauser.

In Amb Maalim welcoming remarks he commended the IGAD Peace and Security Division and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) for the progress made in the implementation of activities across the IGAD region since the first Steering Committee meeting of February 2019.

In his overall briefing on peace and security issues the Executive Secretary said, “ Some of our Member States have internal challenges hence some activities may be at a slower rate of implementation but IGAD is committed to continuing to engage with the member states so that peace may prevail, harnessing a ground for their citizens to benefit from IPPSHAR”.

The IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan also updated the Committee on the implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan.  Amb Ismail Wais, highlighted positive and relative peace returning to the nation as well as the challenges hindering the process.

The Head of EU Delegation to the African Union, H.E Ambassador Ranieri Sabatucci as well as Ambassador Roland Hauser reassured IGAD of their continuous support to its activities under IPPSHAR to be effectively implemented.

Ambassador Sabatucci further expressed his views on how to make use of the steering Committee to accommodate urgent needs in the region since there is flexibility in the program and since ways should be explored for the program to support the on-going peace processes.

BACKGROUND

The IPPSHAR programme is mainly financed by the EU under the Emergency Trust Fund, and co-financed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Government of the Netherlands. The IPPSHAR Steering Committee is composed of IGAD, represented by the Executive Secretary and funding partners such as the  European Union Delegation to the African Union, Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and Government of the Netherlands, who are represented at Ambassadorial level.

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June 24,2019 - (Addis Ababa) Ethiopia – The Peace and Security Coordination Group met on June 24, 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to review the Peace and Security Division 2019 budget and work plan under the co-chairmanship of IGAD represented by the Executive Secretary, H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim and Denmark represented by Mr.Jonas HelthLonborg, Counsellor, Regional Affairs at the Royal Danish Embassy in Ethiopia.

The opening remarks were made by the Peace and Security Director Hon Siraj Fegessa who highlighted IGAD’s gratitude to the partners for the continuous support and guidance towards the implementation of the Peace and Security Division programmes and activities as detailed in the peace and security strategy.

Ambassador Mahboub Maalim, on his part, reiterated by saying giving the partners an overview of the stake of IGAD regional affairs, new developments as well as their implications calling upon the partners to work with IGAD for it to be at the fore front to diplomatically work through the existing, emerging and potential challenges for the benefit of the IGAD citizens.

With the regard to the challenges, he said, “Many times when we are faced with challenges, we need to look at them with a positive eye and see them as opportunities for us to do better, learn from best practices and be able to handle each situation uniquely and collectively.”

The Coordination Group also made a decision to meet twice a year; June and December to give IGAD an opportunity to provide updates on implementation of activities and work plan in time for the next reporting period and annual planning.

The Coordination Group was set up a few years back to institutionalize effective policy and technical dialogue and coordination between IGAD and Development Partners on priorities for promoting and sustaining peace and security in the IGAD region in general and the implementation of Peace and Security Strategy, in particular.

The membership of the Coordination Group is composed of representatives of IGAD from peace and security related offices and partners that contribute to the programs.

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June 26,20119 (Mombasa, Kenya): The IGAD Mediation Support Unit in conjunction with the IGAD Gender Program and in collaboration with the African Centre for the Constructive resolution of Disputes (ACCORD), this morning kick-started a Gender Responsive training workshop for the IGAD Roster of Mediators.

The objective of the training workshop is to sensitize the roster members and experts on gender issues and concerns during mediation and peace building processes. Since the establishment of the Roster in 2014, the members have been engaged in various peace processes, including the South Sudan peace talks.

It is recalled that one-third of the mediators are women, which is in conformity with the requirements of the UNSCR 1325. Moreover, it was observed that the IGAD roster should continue to have experienced women who have supported peace processes as well as include those who have engaged in conflict prevention. Additionally, the roster members should have considerable knowledge and level of understanding of gender issues, roles of women in peace processes, and in particular in mediation and negotiations of peace agreements.

This workshop is conducted with the financial support of the IPPSHAR Programme of the European Union, managed by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA).  

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June 26,20119 (Mombasa, Kenya): The Mediation Support Unit has concluded a two-day consultative workshop, in Mombasa, Kenya. The Unit convened legal and technical experts from the IGAD region to discuss and develop mechanisms for establishing an IGAD Roster of Technical Experts to assist IGAD in its conflict prevention, management and resolution efforts.

It is recalled that this initiative was recommended by the IGAD Committee of Ambassadors as one of the key components to achieving sustainable peace in the region. Therefore, this endeavour comes at a time when the region is experiencing, political and social reforms, as well as a time when great strides have been made towards achieving peace, stability and reconciliation.  

It is observed that the IGAD Member States undertake a range of interventions including preventative diplomacy, crisis management, and conflict prevention as well as contribute to post-conflict recovery and development processes. Considering this growing role of the member States in conflict prevention, management and resolution, there is need to concert effort to enhance and strengthen the capacity of the region in the area of preventive diplomacy and mediation.

Following the two days of consultations, MSU with the guidance of experts from the member states, has developed a rostering criteria, recruiting procedures, remuneration guidelines and deployment procedures for a pool of technical experts who shall be expected to support the already existing IGAD Roster of Mediators as well as fulfil relevant missions when need be.

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19 June 2019, (Entebbe Uganda):  IGAD Security Sector Program (IGAD SSP), with support from the European Union Trust Fund (EUTF) through the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) under the IPPSHAR program, today opened a four days advanced regional training on “Criminal Intelligence Analysis” for all IGAD Member States.

Criminal intelligence is an essential instrument in preventing and countering transnational security threats like organized crime. It is the basis for proactive policing and investigation.  The concept of intelligence led or problem-solving policing and crime control are entirely dependent on criminal intelligence capabilities.  Capability in criminal intelligence analysis and methodology is necessary in our globalized and ever networking world to prevent and fight all serious and organized crime in particular, and transnational security threats in general.  One of IGAD SSP’s key initiatives is to bridge the gaps to address these threats prioritized by IGAD Member States.  The law enforcement capacity building component comprises of enhancing overall understanding and expertise skills of collecting, evaluating, analyzing, using and disseminating/sharing criminal intelligence information on the issues/problems that cause crimes, criminals and their networks among others.  The IGAD wide training needs assessment of law enforcement agencies revealed that criminal intelligence analysis capability is a critical gap and considered by the majority of member states to take higher priority in regional training session.  It is in line with this and in continuation of previous similar interventions that this advanced training has been organized.

The training was officially opened by Commander Abebe Muluneh, Director of IGAD Security Sector Program (IGAD SSP). Commander Abebe welcomed all the participants to the Pearl of Africa and expressed his appreciation to the Government of Uganda for hosting this important training.  In his welcoming remark, he highlighted on the need to differentiate between information, data, and intelligence.  He said that “Intelligence is data, information and knowledge that have been evaluated, analyzed, and presented in a decision-making format for action-oriented purposes….. Intelligence collection system produce data, not intelligence; only the human mind can provide that special touch that makes sense of data for different customer’s requirement.  Intelligence is more than information; it is knowledge that has been specially prepared for user’s unique circumstances.”  He further said that “criminal intelligence analysis is the identification and provision on insight into the relationship between crime data and other potentially relevant data with a view to law enforcement of judicial system practices”.



The overall objective of the training is to equip trainees with an advanced knowledge of criminal intelligence concepts, processes; and skills of implementing and applying analytical tools and techniques to strengthen the capacity of Member States’ law enforcement agencies to enable them effectively collect, collate, evaluate, analyze, use and disseminate criminal intelligence information.  In addition, it aims to strengthen regional law enforcement cooperation and networking among the relevant officials.  At the end of the training program, trainees are expected to

• Describe and discuss the definitions, processes and cycles of criminal intelligence;
• Apply the tools and techniques of criminal intelligence analysis, research tools and information sharing protocols;
• Understand and describe how intelligence can be used to mitigate risk; and
• Explore various case studies stated in the content of the training

About 35 representatives from all IGAD Member States drawn from relevant institutions such as the Police, Judiciary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Financial Intelligence Units and National Counter Terrorism Centers are participating in this training.  An expert from IGAD SSP and Mr. David Scott, a Scotland expert with over 23 year of experience on criminal intelligence analysis are expected to share their experiences and facilitate the training through interactive course materials, discussions, case studies, and group work exercises to bring about the required result of the training. 

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