Other News
African Union appoints leadership team of the African-led international support mission in the Central African Republic
ADDIS ABABA – The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, today, appointed the leadership team of the African-led International Support Mission in the Central African Republic (AFISM-CAR), following consultations with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
In this regard, Major General (Rtd) Jean Marie Michel Mokoko, of the Republic of Congo, has been appointed Special Representative in the Central African Republic (CAR) and Head of AFISM-CAR. General Mokoko has a long and rich experience in the field of peace and security.
He held the position of Chief of Staff of the Congolese Armed Forces, between 1987 and 1993, and that of Peace and Security Advisor to the President of the Republic of Congo. He also served as the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU in Côte d’Ivoire for the period 2006-2007.
General Mokoko is a graduate of the Special Military School (ESM) of Saint-Cyr-Quoëtquidan and Staff College in France. Until this appointment, General Mokoko was the AU Deputy High Representative for Mali and the Sahel. The AFISM-CAR Deputy Special Representative will be appointed shortly.
Brigadier General Martin Tumenta Chomu, of the Republic of Cameroon, has been appointed Force Commander of AFISM-CAR. General Tumenta Chomu served as commander of Military Zone and held other important functions in the Cameroonian Army. He is a graduate of Staff College in the United States (Ft. Levenworth) and War College in France. The Deputy Force Commander will be Brigadier-General Athanases Kararuza of Burundi.
Colonel of Gendarmerie Patrice Ostangue Bengone, of the Republic of Gabon, has been appointed Head of the AFISM-CAR Police component. Colonel Bengone graduated from the National School of Gendarmerie in Owendo, Gabon. He attended training and career development courses in various other schools, particularly in France and Morocco. The position of Deputy Head of the Police component will be occupied by Police Chief Superintendent Don Deogracias Ndong Nguema of Equatorial Guinea.
These appointments are part of the joint AU and ECCAS efforts towards the effective operationalization of AFISM-CAR. The AU and ECCAS are working closely together to ensure successful transition from the ECCAS Peace Consolidation Mission in the CAR (MICOPAX) to AFISM-CAR. The transfer of authority is scheduled for 19 December 2013.
The Chairperson of the Commission takes this opportunity to reiterate the AU’s appeal to the United Nations to extend all necessary support to AFISM-CAR to enable it to effectively discharge its mandate and to create conditions conducive for enhanced international support to the long-term stabilization and reconstruction of the CAR. She thanks the international partners who have already expressed their commitment to support AFISM-CAR.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates her appreciation to the leaders of the region, especially President Idriss Deby Itno, Chairman of ECCAS, and President Denis Sassou Nguesso, who chairs the ECCAS Follow-up Committee on the CAR, for their commitment to the promotion of peace, security and stability in the CAR.
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) have disclosed details of their recent closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu, explaining that the engagement focused on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The clarification came amid speculation surrounding the meeting, which took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja after leaders of several opposition parties attended an Iftar dinner hosted by the president earlier in the week.
ALSO READ: NNPC Secures Tinubu’s Approval for $20bn FID on Bonga Deepwater Project
Speaking during a gathering hosted in Abuja by the SDP’s former presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo on Friday, the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Sadiq Gombe, said the meeting with Tinubu followed an official invitation from the Presidency and lasted about an hour.
According to Gombe, the discussion centred on the need to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral laws and restore public confidence in the country’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 polls.
He explained that the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to remind the president of the importance of conducting transparent, free, and credible elections.
Gombe noted that democracy can only thrive when governments listen to the concerns of citizens and ensure electoral processes that guarantee fairness and accountability.
The SDP chairman also expressed concern over growing voter apathy, pointing to the low turnout recorded in the recent Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the Abuja Municipal Area Council election witnessed only about seven per cent voter turnout, which he described as a clear sign that many Nigerians are losing confidence in the electoral system.
Gombe urged the government and members of the National Assembly to take urgent steps to review electoral laws and rebuild public trust in Nigeria’s democracy.
Also speaking, the National Chairman of IPAC, Dr. Yusuf Dantalle, said political parties used the meeting to raise concerns about aspects of proposed electoral reforms, particularly issues related to indirect primaries and the mandatory electronic transmission of results.
Dantalle explained that the parties appealed to the president to use his influence to encourage legislative review where necessary, noting that reforms should strengthen, rather than complicate, the democratic process.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu would consider the concerns raised and support necessary amendments that would improve the electoral system.
The IPAC chairman also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strictly adhere to electoral guidelines as preparations for the next election cycle begin.
Earlier in his remarks, Adebayo cautioned political actors against turning the 2027 general elections into a do-or-die contest, stressing that the primary goal of democracy should be the progress and stability of Nigeria rather than personal political victories.
He urged leaders across political parties to encourage citizens to actively participate in the democratic process and ensure that elections are conducted peacefully and transparently.
President Bola Tinubu and Mr. Taiwo Oyedele during his nomination on Wednesday.
Airfares Likely to Rise as Aviation Fuel Price Spikes by 80%
Shell Completes Turnaround Maintenance on FPSO, Resumes Production at Bonga
Sahara Group expands fleet with new 40,000 cbm LPG Carrier
NATO Shoots Down Third Iranian Missile in Turkey
Inside Tinubu’s Closed-Door Meeting With Opposition Leaders – SDP, IPAC Reveal Details
Defections Won’t Break PDP in Sokoto, Says Former Senator Gada
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
