League of African Ambassadors debuts, to mentor new diplomats
ALL is set for the inauguration of the League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners as a Non- Governmental Platform with membership open to Ambassadors or High Commissioners of African descent, who are at post, out of post, retired or active in service.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Zambia, Nwannebuike Eze Ominyi, announced this in a statement. The group, which pointed out that skilled and experienced human resources are being wasted in Africa as a result of retirement, tenure expiration or organisational re- structuring, expressed worry that the continent is being denied the expertise or energy of people who can still contribute to the reshaping of Africa.
More specifically, the body flays a situation where welltrained and energetic diplomats with vast experiences in diplomacy who ought to continue contributing to Africa's robust engagement with the world are underutilised either due to factors such as retirement, end of tour of duty or changes in the home governments.
The statement noted: “It is in view of this that the League of African Ambassadors has been birthed to create a sustainable platform for African diplomats, after completing their tenure, to continue deploying their wealth of experience in the service of Africa and the whole of humanity. “Nigeria's High Commissioner to Zambia, Ominyi, is the convener of the league. The co- conveners include Khadija Iddrisu, Ghana's High Commissioner to Zambia; Ahmed El Samawi, Egyptian Ambassador to Togo; Teferi Fikre, Ethiopia Ambassador to Guinea- Bissau; Steven Katuka, Zambia's High Commissioner to Namibia; and Joao Baptista Domingos, Angola's Ambassador to Ghana.
The platform is planning the first virtual convergence of Africa Ambassadors and High Commissioners as an avenue to formally inaugurate the body while also discussing issues on promoting diplomacy on the African continent.
Ambassador of Nigeria to Togo and one of the promoters, Debo Adesina, said: "Africa and Africans can only rise on the strength of our ideas as a people. On the mother continent, in the Americas and across the world, the Black Race is one. And we must scale the artificial guardrails called borders to unite in hearts and minds as Africans, speak in unison with purpose, proclaim our uniqueness as a people and act like the chosen ones we truly are!"
Adesina also revealed that one of the unique things LAA does is to engage with African statesmen and women with a view to developing ideas on the continent’s future as well as charting the path to her deserved place in the world. According to him, many credible former Presidents and Prime Ministers have already been lined up for LAA'S conversations on Africa's rebirth. These include Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, Ellen Johnson- Sirleaf of Liberia, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki of South Africa and Festus Gotenbaye Mogae of Botswana, Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria, Joyce Banda of Malawi, Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, and Graca Machel- Mandela, among others.
“The much- awaited platform will afford Africa a credible and louder voice on the global scene while ensuring that the collective position on major and sundry issues that affect the continent is more respected. The League will also provide a strong backbone to African leaders on the world stage.”
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