The 1st African Union Pan African Conference on Girls and Women’s Education (AU/PANCOGEd1) has been officially opened. The opening ceremony was held at the African Union Commission (AUC) Premises on July 02, 2024. The event, held under the theme, “Prioritizing Girls and Women’s Education: A Strategy for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa” will run till July 05. While opening the ceremony, the Deputy Chairperson of the AUC, H.E. Dr. Monique Nsanzabaganwa, highlighted the commitment of the African Union (AU) in promoting and empowering girls through quality education. “The AUC is strongly committed to advocating for the implementation by its Member States of the Agenda 2063, the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 16-25, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), the Sustainable Development Goals 4&5 and other related policies promoting girls and women’s education in the continent.

Moderated by ESTI’s Commissioner, H.E. Prof Mohammed Belhocine, the ceremony set the tone for the four-day deliberations on girls and women’s education in Africa.

With more than 600 in-person and close to 300 online participants in attendance, the AU/PANCOGEd1 is organised as part of activities under the AU Year of Education.

The State Minister for Education, Central African Republic and President of the Steering Committee for Education, Science and Technology, H.E. Aurelien-Simplice Kongbelet-Zingas, was keen to express his expectations about the conference. “I am convinced that the discussions and reflections we will have over the next few days will enable us to gain a better understanding of the complex challenges hindering girls and women’s education, and to develop effective strategies to overcome them.”

During his opening remarks, the Ambassador of Norway to the AU, H.E. Stian Christensen, stated “The theme of this conference is highly relevant in this regard. Girls’ education is important in all areas and at all levels. This is about empowering girls and women to be full-fledged members of society, to unlock Africa’s huge potential for economic development and life improvement for its citizens.”

Representing the advocacy for girls and women’s education at a global level, the Director of the UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), Antara Ganguli, highlighted one of the most resistant challenges to girls’ education, social norms, and beliefs, “[…]people’s underlying beliefs about the role of girls and women in society had not changed, and that this hampered genuine support for girls’ educational achievements.”

The gathering is organised by the AUC Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation through its technical and specialised office, the African Union International Center for Girls and Women’s Education in Africa (AU/CIEFFA) led by Simone Yankey. The event, which is the first of its kind, takes place in collaboration with UN Agencies, AU Organs and departments, development partners, organizations promoting girls and women’s education, and youth champions on girls’ education. Multi stakeholders are expected to intervene and bring their experience throughout the Conference.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

On Wednesday, a court in Conakry found former President Moussa Dadis Camara and several other military leaders guilty of crimes against humanity. Four other men were acquitted.

Those convicted were also ordered to provide reparations to the victims and their families.

Right to justice

“After nearly 15 years, the victims, survivors and their families have the right to full justice and transparency,” UN rights chief Volker Türk said.

“It is necessary to continue the path that Guinea has already started towards an end to impunity and ensuring that all those responsible for human rights violations are brought to justice,” he added.

The High Commissioner also called for further strengthening of Guinea’s judicial institutions and guaranteeing their independence as key to preventing such violations from recurring.

Killings, sexual violence and torture

At least 156 people were killed, many disappeared and at least 109 girls and women were subjected to sexual violence, including sexual mutilation and sexual slavery, when security and military forces attacked a peaceful political rally at the Conakry Stadium on 28 September 2009.

A number of victims were tortured to death and buried in mass graves.

In the aftermath, a UN Commission of Inquiry was mandated to establish the facts and circumstances, to identify those responsible and make recommendations.

With the support of the UN human rights office, OHCHR, the Commission concluded at the time that there was a “strong presumption that crimes against humanity were committed”, with “reasonable grounds to suspect individual criminal responsibility”.

“Those who have lost loved ones and those who have been subjected to torture and sexual violence have the right to comprehensive psychosocial as well as financial support,” Mr. Türk said.

The High Commissioner noted that it was also crucial for the Guinean Government to determine the whereabouts of all those who went missing and ensure those responsible for enforced disappearances and associated violations are held to account.

He also stressed the importance of guaranteeing the defendants’ right to appeal.

Powerful message against impunity

Separately, the senior UN official working to end rape in wartime also welcomed the outcome of the trial.

Pramila Patten, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General on sexual violence in conflict, said the verdict sends a powerful message that impunity will not be tolerated and reaffirms commitment to upholding the rights of survivors.

“The delivery of the first-instance verdict is a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for survivors of sexual violence and accountability for perpetrators. Sexual violence crimes have always been at the centre of this accountability process, both in investigations and trial,” she added.

The Special Representative’s Office has supported this process since 2011, when the Guinean Government and the UN signed a joint communiqué on the fight against impunity for the 28 September 2009 events, including sexual violence.

Through the Team of Experts on the rule of law and sexual violence in conflict, the Office has provided technical assistance to the investigating judges throughout the investigation phase and in the establishment of a steering committee for the organization of the trial.

Ms. Patten commended the crucial efforts by Guinean authorities in organising this nationally owned process.

She also praised the proactive role of the national judicial system and the magistrates’ professionalism in the conduct of a fair trial.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

Shri Baisnab Charan Pradhan (YOA:2007), presently Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Brasilia, has been appointed as the next High Commissioner of India to the Republic of Sierra Leone.

2. He is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of External Affairs – Government of India.

On Thursday, August 1, for about 35 minutes from 2:00 p.m., Minister for Foreign Affairs Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko received a courtesy call from the Diplomatic Missions of East African countries to Japan.

At the outset, Minister Kamikawa paid tribute to East African diplomatic missions for its efforts to enhancing relations with Japan. Minister Kamikawa expressed her wishes to make the TICAD Ministerial Meeting, scheduled for 24 and 25 this month, as an opportunity to co-create solutions to the challenges facing the international community, especially Africa.
As a response, H.E. Mr. Estifanos Afeworki Haile, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Eritrea to Japan and Dean of the African Diplomatic Corps in Japan, expressed his hope to further develop relations between East African countries and Japan, using this month’s TICAD ministerial meeting as an opportunity. Ambassadors and other participants from other countries also expressed their expectations for further strengthening bilateral relations.
Minister Kamikawa stated that, based on useful comments from all ambassadors today, Japan will prepare for TICAD Ministerial Meeting at the end of this month. She also stated that, while mentioning her visit to Madagascar in April this year, she would like to continue attaching great importance to dialogues with the Ambassadors and work closely with East African countries both bilaterally and internationally.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.