Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Knowledge and Efforts in AU

20/12/2019

As part of the U.S. Early Warning and Response Partnership (EWARP) project activities ITF together with its implementing partner ACERTAS delivered a series of trainings for the African Union personnel.

As part of the U.S. Early Warning and Response Partnership (EWARP) project activities ITF Enhancing Human Security (ITF) together with its implementing partner ACERTAS delivered a series of trainings for AU Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) team as well as for key staff from African Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs). The activity aimed at Strengthening predictive analysis abilities of AU PSD by continuation of conflict analysis training courses with focus on lessons learned and extending data driven research, conflict studies and conflict modeling/strategy skills for effective integration into the CEWS reporting and preventative diplomatic activities.

The goal was to further enhance staff capacity for effective integration into CEWS Early Warning needs. The focus was on lessons learned from initial trainings delivered in 2016 and extending approaches given CEWS operational, reporting, preventative diplomatic activities and needs.

Trainings focused on first, extending previous SENTURION trainings and second, strategic policy frameworks, EW operational responses and CEWS range of decision-making options linking AU means to desired ends.

ACERTAS delivered its Strategic Policy Frameworks course to AU CEWS professionals from 26-30 August 2019 as the first out of three trainings planned in 2019.

Between 12 to 15 AU personnel consistently attended the course, which ran two daily sessions for 5 days. U.S. Department of State Conflict Stabilization Office (CSO) and ITF personnel also attended as well. All course slides, content and supplemental reading materials were also delivered to CEWS.

ACERTAS delivered its Agent based Modeling and Spatial Bargaining Course as well as its Data Driven Research and Strategy Course from 18-22 November 2019. Between 7 to 10 AU personnel attended the course, which like the previous session, included two dail

Based on the very positive and satisfactory feedback by the participants of the first two trainings, the Head of AU Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Division, Ambassador Ngoga suggested that similar but intensified training should be delivered to the participants from RECs and RMs attending the Annual AU/RECs Technical Meeting held in Casablanca, Morocco (3-4 December 2019).

ACERTAS delivered a condensed version of its Strategic Policy and Frameworks from 05-06 DEC in Casablanca at the AU-CPEWD and RECs technical meetings. Approximately 35 AU and RECs personnel attended the course included two daily sessions for the duration

During the trainings all participants applied theories, models and techniques thought in practical part working on actual issues/cases spanning from crisis in Libya, Cameroon, Mali, Somalia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda to name just a few.

The intended outcome of the trainings for AU Peace and Security Department capacity in predictive analysis in support of strategic decision making in AU is enhanced and knowledge is shared with REC's and NCCRMs.

All course slides, content and supplemental reading materials were delivered to all CEWS, RECs and RMs participants and in addition all materials and (open source) software was also handed by representatives of DoS CSO presenting the possibilities and integration of GIS function into analytics work and products developed.

ITF Enhancing Human Security together with its implementing partners and AU, RECs and RMs as recipients present compliments to the United States of America for precious and continuous support in strengthening Early Warning and Response System in Africa.