A meeting of the Bureau of the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 15 – 18 January 2017 and amongst others, deliberated on matters relating to how to effectively support its Secretariat, based in Addis Ababa undertake the Committee’s main objectives of;
- Providing the African Union Commission (AUC) and Member Services with Intelligence, which would assist them in making informed decisions; and
- To Serve as Intelligence exchange of Africa, on various threats confronting the continent
On the 17th January 2017, the CISSA under its current Chairperson, the Secretary General of the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) of Rwanda, Brig. Gen. Joseph NZABAMWITA, accompanied by the Trioka, namely, Equatorial Guinea (outgoing Chair), Nigeria (incoming chair) and Rwanda (Current Chair), the 13 Bureau members composed of two members from each of the five regions of Africa, and the Executive Secretary of the CISSA Secretariat, took the opportunity to brief the African union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) on the “The Recent International Developments in the Fight Against Terrorism and its impact on Africa”.
The Bureau also briefed the AUPSC on future security requirements that CISSA could provide in dealing with the Security threats and conflicts confronting the continent. The presentation was the first of its kind to be attended by the entire CISSA Bureau. The AUPSC recommended that CISSA should provide it with similar briefings at a high level at least twice a year.
The CISSA has been not only been at the forefront of advising the AUC on issues related to conflict and security on the Continent but has also been at the forefront of fighting neocolonial polices and sanctions against African governments by western governments. At the height of the arrest of the former NISS Secretary General, Gen. Karenzi Karake, the organization’ strong protest was one of the factors that eventually forced the British government to release the General. CISSA’s relentless fight against the illegal and unfair Economic and Trade sanctions against Zimbabwe and Sudan recently saw the United States Government partially dropping some of the sanctions against the latter.
The African Union Heads of State that originated the idea of creating CISSA are increasingly extending support to strengthen the Organization. Following an offer by the government of Ethiopia of a prime plot of land near the AU Headquarters, the Equatorial Guinea government has since committed funds to construct the seat of the Organization. A cornerstone laying ceremony is scheduled on the 31st January 2017 on the sidelines of the upcoming AU Summit. Several AUC dignitaries and Twelve AU Heads of States including Their Excellencies, The Presidents of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia are expected to grace the occasion.