The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has partnered Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), for a five-day in-mission training at The Gambia from 8-12 July, 2024.

The training, expected to enhance the understanding of Staff Officers on the broader framework within which they operate, would enable the participants effectively carry out their functions while applying appropriate operational procedures. T

he participants include ECOWAS and Gambian Defence and Security Forces (GDSF) Officers.

Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Bakadaji Hotel in Banjul, the Commandant KAIPTC, Major General Richard Addo Gyane stated that the development of the ECOWAS Staff Officers Handbook and the ECOWAS Staff Officers Course was a collaborative effort between the Directorate of Peacekeeping and Regional Security (DPKRS) of the ECOWAS Commission and KAIPTC facilitated by the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture and Operations (EPSAO) Project.

According to him, the course would equip participants with the necessary operational techniques specific to their roles. It was his expectation that the participants would give feedback on all aspects of the course to enable the facilitators and training team improve upon the course.

In his remarks, the Deputy Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation in Banjul, Mr Raphael Brigandi emphasised that the strategic role of ECOWAS to strengthen the capacities of member states to respond to present and emerging threats and affirmed the commitment on the part of EU to continue supporting ECOWAS effort towards training its personnel earmarked for deployment

He added that the course would enhance information flow among Staff Officers, a crucial necessity for ECOWAS Mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) to achieve its mandate.

Political Advisor at the Mission Headquarters, Mr Claude Kondor, who delivered the opening remarks on behalf of the Head of Mission, Her Excellency (HE) Miatta Lily French, expressed gratitude to the European Union, the GIZ/EPSAO Project and the Government of Germany for their support of peace operations in West Africa.

He specifically acknowledged their contributions to capacity-building activities akin to the in-mission training, launched in July 2023.

KAIPTC partners ECOWAS for a five-day in-mission training at The Gambia.