A massive international and diplomatic honor has been accorded one of Sierra Leone’s Ambassadors.
H.E. Mr. Osman Keh Kamara, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, has been respectfully requested by the Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) to Chair the Retreat of the PSC on “Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa by the Year 2020” scheduled to take place from 7th to 9th November, 2016 in Lusaka, Zambia.
It can be recalled that during the OAU/AU 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration adopted in Addis Ababa on 25th May 2013, the African Union Heads of State and Government pledged to end all conflicts in Africa by the year 2020. This continental aspiration is also incorporated in the AU Agenda 2063 and it forms the bedrock of the work of the African Union Peace and Security Council.
In order to implement this Decision, the African Union Commission in collaboration with the PSC is organizing this retreat to agree on a practical road map for the attainment of silencing the guns in Africa by the year 2020. During the retreat, presentations will be made by the African Union Commission; the Regional Economic Communities (ECOWAS, SADC, IGAD, ECCAS); academic and forensic institutions such as -the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa etc.
Based on his constructive contributions during Council deliberations, Ambassador Kamara has been frequently consulted by the African Union Commission, the Chair of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee as well as members of the PSC on wide range of strategic issues relating to peace-building, legal, working methods and other governance related issues.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Kamara has also been approached by the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security requesting Sierra Leone to serve as the substantive Chairperson of the PSC for the month of December, 2016.
The honor given Ambassador Kamara is another reward for the wisdom being demonstrated by President Ernest Koroma in appointing young, brilliant and enterprising citizens to ambassadorial positions.
Abdul Karim Koroma
Information Attaché
Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
