REPAC Seminar on Regional Security in Central Africa
Members of the Central African Network of Parliamentarians (REPAC) have met in the Cameroonian city of Douala for a two-day seminar from 1 to 2 December 2010. REPAC is the Assembly of the people of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Although decided in 2002 through the adoption by the Member States of the Protocol on the establishment of REPAC, the set up of the network is still not entirely accomplished yet.
The seminar, that gathered 21 Parliamentarians from 8 Central African countries, can be seen as a first major manifestation of REPAC and a significant step forward in the process.
Focusing on the role of ECCAS for preventing conflicts and consolidating peace and security in Central Africa, the meeting was intended to inform the Parliamentarians about current developments on the regional level and to raise their awareness in particular on regional peace and security issues and challenges.
The principle aim was, on the one hand, to provide them information on the Central African Peace and Security Architecture that is currently being set up. It was, on the other hand, also to raise their awareness on how they can support the regional cooperation process, notably by informing them about several Conventions that cover regional security issues and are still to be ratified by ECCAS’ Member States on the national level, such as on small arms control (Kinshasa Convention), or against human trafficking.
The seminar, which is supposed to be followed by a series of similar ones during this year, is considered a substantial step forward in the creation of REPAC. Although an official date has not been fixed yet, the official inauguration of the Network is expected to take place this year. In the meantime, in March, new premises for the REPAC secretariat have been opened in the Guinea Equatorial capital of Malabo and the REPAC coordinator and his team have moved from Libreville (Gabon) to Malabo that will be hosting REPAC, once established.
Angela Meyer (IDC) for IDW