Sahrawi Army Chief of Staff participates in African Union 16th STC on Defense Safety and Security and related meetings
Sahrawi Army Chief of Staff participates in African Union 16th STC on Defense Safety and Security and related meetings
Mohamed El-Wali Aakeik, Chief of Staff of the Sahrawi People’s Liberation Army and Member of Polisario Front’s National Secretariat, actively participated in the African Union 16th STC on Defense Safety and Security, held on the 5th June 2024, and the 19th Ordinary Session of the African Chiefs of Defense Staff and Heads of Safety and Security Services (ACDS/HSS) on 4 June 2024, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The meeting focused on deliberating a comprehensive report meticulously crafted by experts, aiming to address the multifaceted challenges sweeping across various African regions. These challenges include unconstitutional changes, terrorism, foreign interventions, and natural disasters, necessitating a strategic roadmap to fortify African security and political institutions.
Brigadier General Mohamed El Mocktar Menny, Chief of the Army Staff and Head of Mauritanian Special Operations Forces, presided over the session, given Mauritania’s leadership of the African Union this year. Accompanied by Amb. Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, and his team, the session was marked by extensive discussions.
Unanimously endorsing the detailed report, the meeting focused on bolstering African Standby forces and enhancing their capabilities across political, material, and legal realms. Additionally, emphasis was placed on preventing foreign interference in inter-country disputes and reinforcing the African Commission’s institutional position through proactive crisis anticipation and early warning mechanisms.
Sahrawi Chief of Staff made substantive contributions to the discussions, advocating for strategies to strengthen African engagement in crises. He reiterated the Sahrawi Republic’s commitment to peace and security principles in Africa, highlighting its active participation in the African Standby Force within the North African Regional Capacity (NARC).
The force stands ready to serve populations seeking peace and stability, adhering to international humanitarian law and Pan African solidarity.
During the works of the two meetings, the Sahrawi military delegation engaged in bilateral meetings with counterparts from various African nations, discussing ways to enhance joint military and security cooperation while facilitating knowledge exchange.
It should be recalled that the two meetings were preceded by the Preparatory Meeting of Experts for the 16th Ordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Defense, Safety and Security on 3 June 2024, to which participated Mr. Nafe Mustafa Didi, General Director of External Relations at the Ministry of the Sahrawi National Defense, accompanied by Sahrawi Permanent Representative to the AU, Amb. Lamin Baali, and Sahrawi Media Attache, Ergueibi Abdulah.
