The Board of Directors of the School of Peacekeeping, Alioune Blondin BEYE (EMP-ABB), composed of 11 member countries and ECOWAS countries, celebrated the International Day of Peace, Wednesday, September 21, 2022 , at the Peacekeeping School, Alioune Blondin BEYE in Bamako. The opening ceremony was placed under the chairmanship of the representative of the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Major General Sidiki SAMAKE, in the presence of the Director General of EMP-ABB, Colonel Souleymane SANGARE and the representative of the MUNISMA, Bruno MPONDO.
The celebration of this day is part of the promotion of peace, which is one of the main purposes and raison d'être of the United Nations. It gives the opportunity to meet and discuss new issues, challenges and perspectives that we must face as an organization, institution or citizen, actor in the service of peace.
The Director General of EMP-ABB, Colonel Souleymane SANGARE indicated that this year's theme: Evolution of Peace Operations: Challenges and Prospects in a complex environment, to celebrate this day is not fortuitous. “This organization has goals and principles that seek to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war. One of these objectives is to achieve international cooperation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian nature and to promote and encourage respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction race, sex, language or religion…” explained Colonel Souleymane SANGARE.
For the representative of the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, Major General Sidiki SAMAKE, complex threats in several environments cause an increase in the number of casualties and injuries, while the missions have sometimes lacked personnel and equipment to deal with these threats. “United Nations peacekeeping operations play a key role in providing security and building peace around the world. However, peacekeeping faces several challenges that undermine its ability to fulfill its mandates” regretted Major General Sidiki SAMAKE.
After the opening ceremony, a tree dedicated to Peace was planted in the middle of the EMP-ABB, by all the officials, panelists and participants in this day whose objective is to evaluate the doctrines and approaches governing the Peace Operations, faced with the complexity of the current environment. Two panels, as well as cultural and sporting activities are on the menu for this day. The exchanges during the first part will make it possible to stimulate reflection and discussion around Peace Operations, in order to promote exchanges of points of view, analysis and proposals. These contributions will be made either as panelists, participants or guests.
Charles Mass
