adminattended by intelligence officers from African Union member-states, is being held under the theme: “The Nexus Between Africa’s Natural Resources, Development and Security”.
The need for greater co-operation in intelligence became evident in the wake of Zimbabwe’s capture of a planeload of mercenaries of various nationalities who were on their way to stage a coup in Equatorial Guinea on March 7 2001. This development sent everyone in intelligence services in Africa, rethinking.
Cissa was subsequently formed in Abuja, Nigeria on August 26 2004, bringing together intelligence and security service from 49 AU member states. Its aims and objectives include assisting the AU and specifically the Peace and Security Commission to effectively deal with security challenges confronting the continent.
President Mugabe will officially open the Conference while State Security Minister, Dr Sydney Sekeramayi will officiate at the closing ceremony.
The delegates and members of the media were being accredited at the Harare International Conference Centre, the venue of the conference.
Directors-general of intelligence from across the African continent, China and Italy expected to attend the conference that comes at a time some western nations have been clamouring for security sector reforms in Zimbabwe, is a vote of confidence in the country’s security establishment that continues to receive and train officers from the refion at the Zimbabwe Staff College, and the National Defence College.
ZDF officers are also highly sought after in UN missions worldwide.
AU chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Cissa executive secretary Mr Isaac Moyo are also expected to attend.
Cissa was formed in April 2004 to promote security-related policies and programmes that encourage peace, stability and development.
It was established in response to African countries heads of states and governments recommendation and is an arm for the African Union mandated to provide the union with security information. Cissa’s main objective is to collect information on the continent and supply the AU with such information instead of leaving that role to other organisations.
Incoming Cissa chairman, Director-General of the Central Intelligence Organisation, Retired Major General Happyton Bonyongwe, said Zimbabwe was privileged to host the 10th anniversary of the conference at a time the continent’s body, the AU, was commemorating 50 years of inception.
“The conference is taking place as Africa prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the AU, formerly the Organisation of African Unity,” he said.
“Therefore, it is a very special Cissa conference. We celebrate our 10th anniversary and it coincides with the 50th anniversary of the AU. For Zimbabwe, we have been given a very important conference to host and for that we appreciate.”
Rtd Maj Gen Bonyongwe said the conference would focus on the threats to the continent’s peace and security with a view to finding solutions.
Online Reporter