Kofi Ampeah Woode
The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence, has rolled out the Political Advisors (PolAds) Course for Peace Support Operations in Africa 2023, to train Political Advisors for United Nations (UN) Missions in Africa, African (AU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) operations and missions.
The residential PolAds ’23 which commenced on Monday 10 July 2023 and ends July 21, is also meant to enable senior personnel from African countries and organizations to know the core tasks of Political Advisors working on conflict and crisis and improve and/or enhance the quality of information they provide.
Delivering his welcome address at the opening ceremony, the Commandant, KAIPTC – Major General (Maj Gen) Richard Addo Gyane said, the role of the political advisor in a mission is critical for providing the mission leadership with proper analysis of political developments, trends and emerging issues in the country or region, and making recommendations on possible policies, strategies and other measures to address issues of concern.
He said the West African sub-region, and the African Continent as a whole, has witnessed a surge in international efforts to end wars, stabilise fragile states, and rebuild war-torn societies, with. An unprecedented number of peace operations and political missions have been deployed to deal with crises and violent conflict, and to maintain or restore peace.
He continued to say that the course is being organised to formalise training of Political Advisors for Commanders of Operations and/or Heads of Missions of UN/AU/ECOWAS missions, to help curb the vacuum created by the absence of peace, which enables discord and anarchy to prevail, and results in corresponding stagnation and devastation of societies.
General Gyane informed the twenty participants that the training, which will expose them to internationally required competencies and standards for Political Advisors, would be deliberating on matters as diverse and yet inextricably interrelated as the Role of a Political Advisor, Negotiation and Mediation Principles, Reporting, Briefing and Public Diplomacy, as well as dealing with the media.
He concluded that PolAds, which was developed by KAIPTC and the Austrian Federal Defence Ministry, will enable the participants to better understand the dynamics of conflict and crises management, in order to function effectively in Multi-Dimensional Peace Support Operations.
Background
The complexity of the political and security environment in many African regions, where missions and operations are launched, makes it challenging for heads of missions and operational commanders to thoroughly assess, monitor and analyse the impact and the political consequences of their actions.
Additionally, due to the many different tasks these heads of missions and commanders have to perform, they often are not aware of the full spectrum of developments from the strategic and international levels to domestic and regional situations, all of which could have an influence on the success of a mission/operation.
Despite the potential important role of Political Advisors (PolAds) and significant engagement of African countries in African missions and operations, a formalized training of PolAds for Commanders of Operations and/or Heads of Missions has so far not been introduced in Africa. It is for these reasons that the KAIPTC and Austria, are offering this course to build the capacity of potential and existing practitioners.
The problem-based learning approach will be used in the delivery of the ten-day residential course, with participants playing active roles in the learning process under the supervised guidance of a team of experienced facilitators. The course content will thus be delivered using a combination of tools such as lectures, case studies, small group work exercises and simulations.
The 20 participants are from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, with varied backgrounds, such as Parliamentarians, Senior Military Officers, personnel from UN, AU and ECOWAS operations and missions.
Present at the opening ceremony included Counsellor Günther Barnet – Austrian Ministry of Defence, Wing Commander Christian Eshun (Rtd) representing the Director, Training, and the Course Director – Lieutenant Colonel Ortwin Gammer.
