A new group called the League of African Ambassadors (LAA), aimed at creating a sustainable platform for African diplomats to continue to deploy their wealth of experience in the service of Africa after completion of their tenure is set to be inaugurated.Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia, Amb. Nwannenuike Ominyi, said this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.
Ominyi said the group with membership open to ambassadors or high commissioners of African descent who are at post, out of post, retired, or active in service would be a useful platform in not only fostering unity on the African continent but also help to nurture new diplomats.
He flayed at instances where well-trained diplomats with vast experiences who ought to continue contributing to Africa’s engagement with the world were under-utilised either due to factors such as retirement and end of tour of duty, amongst others.
He added that the establishment of the group would bridge that gap and ensure that the continent was not denied the expertise and energy of people who could still contribute to reshaping Africa.
“The proposed League of African Ambassadors is a clarion call to your excellencies to see that Africa still needs our services to help our countries and Africa at large even when our tour of duty comes to an end.
“The aim is to create a sustainable platform for us at the end of our tenures to continue deploying our wealth of experience in the service of Africa and the whole of humanity.
“It is our candid opinion that if Africa would realise its potential to the maximum, the experiences and understanding of the world which we have all acquired at post should not be allowed to waste for any reason.
“Hence, we are duty-bound to answer this clarion call and launch the League of African Ambassadors and High Commissioners as a non-governmental platform and membership shall be open to any African Ambassador or High Commissioner at post or out of post, retired or active in service,” he said.
He noted that the platform would give Africa a credible and louder voice on the global scene while ensuring that the collective position on major and sundry issues that affect the continent are respected.
He said the platform was planning its first virtual convergence of African ambassadors and high commissioners to formally inaugurate the body while also discussing issues on promoting diplomacy on the African continent.
Amb. Yusuf Yunusa, Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Kenya, who is the secretary of the group, said that the group would help in engaging with the global community on matters of collective interest.
He noted that the union comprising of African ambassadors was overdue adding that it would engender the return of Africa to its pride place in the global scene.
“We believe this platform will serve as an avenue to further engage more effectively with the global community on matters of collective interest to engender greater respect for our leaders and citizens.
“We also plan to support the Africa Union and all our sub-regional organisations in Africa to achieve their goals and objectives and we are open to serving as mentors to newly appointed African ambassadors and high commissioners.
“We will create avenues for regular capacity building for diplomats and raise continental awareness on diverse issues of benefit to Africa and the world,” he said.
Also, Mr Debo Adesina, Ambassador of Nigeria to the Republic of Togo, noted that the group would engage African statesmen and women with a view to developing ideas on the continent’s future and charting the path to place of the world.
The co-conveners include Amb. Khadija Iddrisu, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia; Amb. Ahmed El Samawi, Egyptian Ambassador to the Republic of Togo; and Amb. Teferi Fikre, Ethiopia Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau.
Others are Amb. Steven Katuka, Zambia’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Namibia and Amb. Joao Baptista Domingos, Angola’s Ambassador to Ghana.
