Two alumnae of the African Leadership Centre’s Peace and Security Fellowship - Ms. Saramba Kandeh (2009-2010) and Ms. Semiha Abdulmelik (2014-2015) - have been appointed to the Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa Advisory Committee.
The Tana High-Level forum annual meeting brings together African leaders and stakeholders to engage and explore African-led security solutions.
In their roles, Ms. Kandeh and Ms. Abdulmelik will be advising the Tana Secretariat on the organisation of the annual Tana Forum. In particular, they will be providing strategic advice to the Secretariat on process and content areas in order to strengthen the Forum’s capacity to generate fruitful discussions on peace, conflict and security for all stakeholders involved.
Both alumnae have a strong background in areas of peacebuilding and security areas specifically in peacekeeping processes. Before her appointment, Ms. Kandeh was a Legal and Gender Advisor at AIDS-Free World where she was involved in efforts at ending impunity for sexual exploitation and abuse by UN peacekeeping personnel. Ms. Abdulmelik was Senior Political Officer in the Peace Support Operations Division, Department of Peace and Security at the AU Commission.
The two will serve as advisors to the committee for a three-year term until 2021.
Everyone at the African Leadership Centre sends warm wishes and many congratulations to Saramba and Semiha for these exciting new roles.