More women peacekeepers plea

ADDIS ABABA: The US Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Nikki Haley, has called for more women to be involved in AU peacekeeping operations, according to a US State Department press release sent out by the American Embassy in Pretoria yesterday.

Haley made the call during a meeting with AU Commissioner for Political Affairs Minata Samate Cessouma at headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Monday.

During their meeting, Haley and Samate discussed a range of topics of mutual concern on the continent, including the AU Mission in Somalia (Amisom) and the situations in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mali.

Haley also expressed Washington’s appreciation for the AU’s partnership in UN peacekeeping operations, the indispensable partnership between the AU and both the US and the UN, and the important role the AU can play in stabilising the region and advancing peace, security, and human rights across the continent.

The American diplomat’s meeting with the AU commissioner was part of her six-day trip to Ethiopia, South Sudan and the DRC, where she is holding consultations with the AU, UN and government officials.

Haley also met Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and thanked the country for hosting so many desperate refugees fleeing from conflicts in neighbouring countries.