Given Geopolitical Tensions, Global Peace at Forefront of Our Collective Endeavor, Says Lt Gen Yimer 

Addis Ababa November 16/2024 (ENA) The National Defense Forces (NDF) Training Head, Lieutenant General Yimer Mekonnen stated that given escalating conflicts, humanitarian crises, and geopolitical tensions, the pursuit of global peace remain at the forefront of our collective endeavor. 

The International Peace Support Training Institute (IPSTI), in its second cohort, graduated today 27 students in masters degree in peace and conflict management.

 Nine of the graduates were drawn from various countries in Africa.

During the graduation ceremony,  Lieutenant General Yimer Mekonnen expressed his hope that the graduates  will play vital role in promoting peace and security not only in their country and the African continent, but also across the globe, stressing the urgency of peace and conflict management at this time when there are escalating crises in the region. 

With a rich history of peacekeeping deployments dating back to the Korean War in 1951, Ethiopia has cemented its role as a trusted partner in the United Nations' efforts to maintain international peace and security.

The NDF's involvement in Somalia's peacekeeping efforts has been significant. Since early 1990s, the NDF has been paying sacrifice in Somalia, contributing to the stabilization of the region and the restoration of the Somali government's authority.

Through their tireless efforts, the NDF has been instrumental in securing key infrastructure, facilitating humanitarian aid delivery, and training local security forces, laying the groundwork for Somalia's gradual recovery.

The Lt. general stated that the necessity of effective peace and conflict management is more urgent than ever as we witness escalating conflicts, humanitarian crises, and geopolitical tensions.  

According to him, recent years have demonstrated that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but it is the presence of justice, understanding and cooperation.

It is our collective responsibility to forge pathway towards harmony, understanding, and reconciliation,  Lt. General Yimer added.

Japan’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, Hironori Shibata recalled that Ethiopia is a great country that significantly contributed its role to peacekeeping by sharing good experiences.

Japan has been supporting the IPSTI financially and in technical aspect, it was indicated.  

He reassured Japan’s continued support to Ethiopia’s endeavor in training personnel for peace keeping missions.  

He urged graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired for both continental and global peace and security. 

Samuel Gbaydee Doe, Resident Representative for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ethiopia on his part stated that the institute is playing great role for peacekeeping. 

“UNDP is proud to be associated with your remarkable achievements, and we eagerly look forward to seeing the positive impact you will bring to our continent and the world through your work with the United Nations and the African Union Peacekeeping nations across the world,” he said.

The representative also acknowledged Ethiopia’s long experience in peacekeeping missions. 

“I am from Liberia, and I have a personal experience with Ethiopian peacekeepers who, along with many from across the continent and the world brought peace to Liberia after 14 years of civil war. Today, Liberia is calling from that greater past. It is rising as one of the members of our continent. So let me take this opportunity to commend the government of Ethiopia and the Ministry of Defense for the foresight, to invest in this important training institute that has quickly gone to serve peacekeeping needs across our continent and beyond in the world,” he added. 

He also said we also greatly valued and recognized the technical and financial support the Government of Japan has provided to the IPSTI, local and international training as well as the masters program.

It is our sincere hope that investments made in IPSTI by the government of Ethiopia and its partners like Japan will go a long way in strengthening peacekeeping and the protection of human security by preventing violence across our continent and the world, especially violence against women, children and girls, the representative stressed.

The success of Ethiopia's peacekeeping operations has not gone unnoticed by the international community. Their unwavering commitment to serving the greater good has earned them widespread international acclaim by the United Nations, the United States, Canada, and various military attachés lauding Ethiopia's invaluable contribution to maintaining peace and security around the world.