The six regional focal persons of the representatives of the Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes (GAAMAC) Africa Working Group (G-AWG) will gather in Grand Bassam for a two-day retreat on the 1st and 2nd of September, 2021.
The meeting to be chaired by Justice Jamila Mohammed, will feature each representative of an area of the African continent, who will prepare the ground for GAAMAC IV Global Meeting and discuss priorities of the G-AWG for 2022-2023.
The G-AWG is the largest and most active regional initiative of GAAMAC, a global and inclusive network of states, civil society and academic institutions that aim to support states in establishing national architectures and policies for the prevention of atrocities.
It counts over 25 members from over 10 countries.
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Justice Jamila Mohammed is the Chairperson of the Kenya National Committee on the Prevention and Punishment of Genocide, War Crimes, Crimes Against Humanity and All Forms of Discrimination.
In a statement, Mohammed, who is also the Chair of the G-AWG and its Focal Person for East Africa, says: “GAAMAC aims to move from reaction to atrocities to a culture of early and permanent prevention. It encourages and supports locally owned initiatives and is complementary to existing regional prevention efforts.”
The delegation to the meeting comprises of G-AWG focal persons from Francophone (DIABY Bakari Sidiki, Côte d’Ivoire), Anglophone West Africa (Wale Adeboye, Nigeria), Central Africa, (Aatsa Atogho, Cameroon) Southern Africa (Sambwa Simbyakula-Chilembo, Zambia) and North Africa (Zahra’ Langh, Libya).
In Côte d’Ivoire, the G-AWG Focal Persons will meet with key stakeholders, including the President of the National Human Rights Council, the Political adviser of the African Union, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
They will explain how G-AWG may support national atrocity prevention architectures and policies in Africa.
The opening ceremony of the retreat, which will take place on 31 August 2021, will be attended by senior representatives of the government, the diplomatic community, international and regional organizations, members of civil society and the media.
