UN trains AU staff on peacekeeping operations
September 7, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) — The U.N. peacekeeping department launched a training programme this week for senior officials of the African Union (AU), aimed at improving the planning, deployment and management of its peacekeeping missions.
Some 25 AU officials from 14 countries will participate in the 12-day training programme in Botswana, planned in partnership between the UN, the AU and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The topics of study include the overall political, economic and social situation in which peacekeeping takes place using case studies such as peacekeeping in Darfur, delivered by the Force Commander of the UN-AU Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), General Martin Luther Agwai.
This training programme is the third in a series of training courses designed specifically for senior AU civilian, military and police leaders who might be appointed to positions at the level of head or deputy head of mission, force or deputy force commander or police commissioner in missions.
Participants of the programme will be given a solid overview of issues involved in the peacekeeping missions.
The previous courses in this series were held in Kenya, in eastern Africa, and Nigeria in the west, while upcoming training organised by DPKO’s AU Peacekeeping Support Team will take place in central and northern Africa.
The Government of Denmark is providing funding for the programme, run by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), with support also coming from the Government of Botswana.
(ST)