28 Jul Working Visit of APSTA Chairperson

The African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA), was honoured to welcome the Chairperson of APSTA, Col. Souleymane SANGARE and his team from EMPABB-Mali from Wednesday 24^th July to Thursday 25^th July 2024. He was accompanied by Col. Sissoko DRISSA and Miss. Madina Badian KOUYATE both of EMPABB. His visit formed part of efforts to meet the Executive Secretary, staff of the Secretariat and to receive updated briefings towards future plans and actions. The Executive secretary of APSTA, Dr. Cecile Oyono Thom together with staff of the secretariat, welcomed and received the Chairperson graciously. She was elated with the visit and very confident that, the meeting will push further, the necessary actions needed towards the executions of APSTA’s mandate.

The conversations of the meeting were centered around APSTA’s mandate, support mechanisms, proposed activities and budgets, preparations towards AGM and other required responsibilities needed to strengthen relations with Member Institutions and Centres of excellence. Taking stock of the work of the Secretariat and advancing ideas for growth and visibility were also observed and discussed. The Executive Secretary and the entire Secretariat were very positive that, this visit was not only timely but appropriate for encouraging and strengthening the Secretariat to push more efforts in serving the African continent towards peace and stability of Africa.

There was a working session between APSTA, the Chairperson and APSTA Treasurer, Director of EIFORCES, Brigadier General Patrice BITOTE. These meeting sessions ended on a very high note with expectations towards stakeholders’ engagement, more training and expansion of the scope of APSTA for visibility.

On Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 5 p.m., an audience was held in the meeting room of the Ministry of Defense to the President of the APSTA Board of Directors, Colonel Souleymane Sangare and his Delegation by the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Defense Mr. Joseph Beti ASSOMO accompanied by his Chief of Staff as well as the Head of the Military Cooperation Division, Colonel Messie NGOLLA Jean Vincent.

This Audience aimed to thank the Government of Cameroon in this case the President of the Republic of Cameroon, His Excellency PAUL BIYA, Head of STATE for his commitment in the areas of Peace and Security as well as the support of the Minister in all activities of APSTA. During this audience, three points were highlighted by the Minister Delegate to the Presidency in charge of Defense, namely: The involvement of Head of State, His Excellency PAUL BIYA, President of the Republic of Cameroon, in all initiatives aimed at preserving Peace and Security in Cameroon and Africa; The importance of APSTA for Cameroon as an association bringing together different Training Centers in peace and security in Africa; and the creation of a Task Force for the collaboration of the Ministry of Defense with the Ministry of External Relations in order to allow the change of status of APSTA to an International Organization.

Compiled by : LAMPTEY Alexander Odartey (ICT/KM-Officer) & IBRAHIM Mouko Hamadou Aoudi (DO/PA to ES)