Cairo, Egypt - On 13 June 2017, and after 23 years of existence as the “Cairo Regional Center for Conflict Resolution and Peacekeeping in Africa (CCCPA)” , the Egyptian Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Sherif Ismail, has approved the recommendation put forward by H.E. Sameh Shoukry to recharter the Center as the “Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding”. Prime Ministerial Decree no.1396/2017 reestablishes the Center as an independent public agency under the suzerainty of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

While much of the Center’s work will continue to focus on Africa and the Arab world, the Decree makes the Center’s geographical mandate international. Similarly, and while much of the Center’s work will continue to focus on issues of conflict prevention, early warning, conflict resolution, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, the Decree expands the Center’s thematic focus to cover all peace and security-related issues. This decision acknowledges CCCPA’s important contribution to the fields of preventing radicalization and extremism leading to terrorism; combating human trafficking and smuggling of migrants; and the implementation of the women, peace and security agenda.

The Decree establishes a new governance structure to reflect the Center’s new vision and mission. A board of directors, headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will be established as the Center’s main executive organ for a three-year term, renewable once, and meeting at least once every four months.  The board will comprise high-level officials from the Egyptian government, including the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the First Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, three assistant foreign ministers and representatives from the Ministries of Defense, Interior and Higher Education and Scientific Research. In addition, leading scholars and subject-matter experts will also join the board. CCCPA’s International Advisory Board (IAB), comprising global leaders and international experts, will continue to provide strategic counsel to the board of directors and the management. 

The Decree also recognizes CCCPA’s growing role, both globally and regionally, which in the last few years has expanded beyond capacity building and training to include convening and research. The Center’s independent status allows it to receive funds through joint projects and partnerships on the national, regional and international levels.

CCCPA Director Ashraf Swelam hailed the decision as a milestone in the Center’s evolution: “The Prime Minister’s Decree opens the door for CCCPA’s growth as a leading center of international excellence in training, education and capacity building. It boosts the Center’s position as a voice for Africa and the Arab world in global debates about peace and security. Moreover, it provides the Center with a new mandate that will greatly enhance our ability to further expand our ever-growing network of global and regional partners, in the pursuit of peace and security." 

CCCPA is an African Union Center of Excellence in training and capacity building in the field of peace and security. It is the only civilian peace training, education, and capacity building center in the Arab World. CCCPA is currently a member of the presidency of the International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centers (IAPTC) and serves as its secretariat for a five-year term (2017-2022). It is also the Chairman of the Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Training Group (IDDRTG), and a member of the Management Committee of the African Peace Support Trainers Association (APSTA).

Photo credit: www.ahram.org.eg