ADDIS ABABA – The Government of Japan disclosed its ambition to continue peacekeeping cooperation with Ethiopian Peace Support Training Center (EPSTC) until a day of stability, peace and security realized throughout the continent.
Launching the opening ceremony of this year’s training program on conflict prevention course, Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia Daisuke Matsunaga yesterday reiterated that his country has keen interest in continuing partnership with Ethiopia and other African countries in various peacekeeping activities across the continent.
As to him, Japan has helped the centre in preparing training manuals for conflict prevention, conflict management and post conflict recovery courses. He believed that the security situation in Africa is gradually improving compared to the past. However a lot remains to be done to improve the continental security as seven of the 14 current UN peacekeeping operations are in Africa.
In addition he said, there are also peacekeeping operations in Africa leading by various security alliances including African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), Multinational Joint Task Force (MJTF) and G5 Sahel Joint Force (G5 Sahel) among others.
The Conflict Prevention Course training would help to address security challenges and ensure lasting peace in the continent, said the ambassador. In addition to Ethiopia, the training is helping more countries including Djibouti, Mali, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Tunisia, he stated.
Accordingly, the training will be offered to military personnel, policemen and civilians. In his message to the participants, the ambassador expressed that the trainees ought to spend their time to have enough knowledge and skill that would help to ensure peace in their respective countries.
On behalf of EPSTC, Brigadier General Habtamu Tilahun said that with strong support of the Government of Japan and other international organizations the centre has been delivering courses on conflict prevention, conflict management, post conflict recovery, military observer and UN staff officers.
As to him, the course will contribute to build skills and improve multidimensional peacekeeping operations of the military, police forces and enhance regional standby capacity of civilian experts for peacekeeping missions.
He also expressed his gratitude to the government of Japan and other international organizations for their strategic collaborations through financing the project and deploying personnel. Since 2012 Japan has been working with the center through financial and technical assistance to trainees who come from the four corners of the continent.
This year’s training is the 10th round course that Japan has been involved with. So far, 426 trainees have graduated and helping to the continent in various peacekeeping missions.
The Ethiopian Herald, July 2/2019
BY YOHANES JEMANEH
