In a collaborative endeavour with the United Nations (UN) Department of Peacekeeping Operations, the Peacebuilding Unit at ACCORD hosted a Civil Military Guidance Development Workshop in Kampala, Uganda from 22-23 April, 2009. This two day workshop brought together senior officials from the civilian, military and police units of the UN missions across Africa.
Missions represented included: MONUC; the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID); the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS); the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL); the United Nations Operations in Cote D’Ivoire (UNOCI); and the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic (MINURCAT). In addition to these, there was representation from: the Head of the Sector, Africa, from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC); the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) AU Liaison Office in Addis Ababa; and Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Civil-Military Centre of Excellence.
A presentation from representatives from the African Union/United Nations Hybrid Mission in Darfur. Heading the panel was Mr. Cedric DeConing, Adviser to the Peacebuilding Unit, ACCORD.
The workshop discussed the ongoing guidance development document which is meant to inform and enhance the work and mandate of civil-military-police interactions and relations in their various missions. Each mission shared the roles and responsibilities of the three dimensions in their missions and their points of interactions and collaboration. The second day focused on an in-depth look into the draft guidance document and with this an in-depth discussion and examination to enhance and add richness to the document. This workshop was very valuable as missions learnt from each other and through the discussions and questions, best practices and innovative approaches that were shared.
A cross-section of participants at the workshop
For further information on this workshop, or on the work of the Peacebuilding Unit, please contact Mr. Walter Lotze at walter@accord.org.za.
