Africa Intelligence, security experts to meet in Ethiopia
Nov 15, 2006 (DAR ES SALAAM) — Intelligence and security experts from across Africa are converging on the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, to prepare the first meeting of their chiefs that will examine and set the continent’s intelligence priorities.
A realization by African heads of state and government that in the field of security no nation could be secure without working together with others prompted the creation last year of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), which is organizing the conference.
“Our duty is to embrace the peace agenda on the continent and support the initiatives of the African Union (AU) in conflict management and resolution,” said CISSA executive secretary Dennis Thokozani Dlomo.
“Security and development are two sides of the same coin. None of these situations can exist on its own without dependency on the other,” he added.
A three-day preparatory meeting of intelligence experts from member countries of CISSA yesterday ahead of the gathering of directors-general of national intelligence services from 44 AU Member States.
The intelligence chiefs will meet here from 16-17 November.
According to Dlomo, other African states were yet to sign the memorandum of understanding that forms the basis of CISSA, an organization that is open to all African states, regardless of their relation to the AU.
Joining the organization also becomes difficult for some countries that do not have.
(Guardian, Tanzania)