The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) recently organized a commemorative symposium in honor of Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, former Executive Secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), recognizing his lifelong achievements and outstanding contributions to peace promotion, security, and regional integration across Africa.
The symposium, themed Inclusive Peacebuilding, Local Agency, Multilevel Governance, Strengthening Community Resilience, and Regional Partnership for Sustainable Peace in West Africa and the Sahel, aimed to document and share lessons from Dr. Chambas’ decades of leadership in mediation and peacebuilding, inspire the next generation of African peacebuilders, and create a comprehensive written and visual record of his contributions.
Presentations at the symposium highlighted Dr. Chambas’ extensive legacy, including:
Establishing the ECOWAS Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping, and Security.
Advancing the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme and strengthening cross-border cooperation.
Championing dialogue, inclusivity, and regional integration as foundations for peace and prosperity.
Leading high-level responses to conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and other African nations.
Promoting South-South cooperation and nurturing strategic global development partnerships.
Addressing attendees, the Acting Commandant of KAIPTC, Air Commodore David Anttey Akrong, stated that the symposium was a fitting tribute to Dr. Chambas’ 75th birthday and recognition of his profound impact on peace, security, and governance across Africa and beyond.
Commodore Akrong described Dr. Chambas as “an extraordinary statesman, lawyer, diplomat, and peace advocate” whose influence on Africa’s political and security architecture remains unmatched. He added that Dr. Chambas’ work continues to inspire policymakers, practitioners, and scholars.
Highlighting Dr. Chambas’ longstanding engagement with the Centre as Goodwill Ambassador and Chair of the Kofi Annan Peace and Security (CAPS) Forum, Commodore Akrong noted that his leadership has “strengthened KAIPTC’s mission and inspired countless practitioners and scholars in the field of peace and security.”
The symposium drew former heads of state, eminent government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, and distinguished academics. Commodore Akrong praised Dr. Chambas for his wisdom, warmth, and unwavering leadership—qualities that have earned him deep respect and admiration across the continent.
He emphasized that the symposium seeks to draw inspiration from Dr. Chambas’ vision, resilience, and commitment to unity and development, which serve as an enduring model for future generations.
Former Director of the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ghana, Emerita Professor Takywaa Manu, also highlighted Dr. Chambas’ pivotal role in shaping Africa’s modern peace and security landscape.
She traced his career across major African and global institutions, noting that as ECOWAS Executive Secretary, he led responses to conflicts in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Côte d’Ivoire while strengthening mechanisms for conflict prevention, peacekeeping, and security cooperation.
As AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, he mobilized political will across the continent to curb armed conflict.
“This legacy of service has left an indelible mark on Africa’s peace and security landscape,” Professor Manu said.
