American Foreign Service Association’s Post

As part of the 'Palestine Cabinet Mission,' I, as the Chairman of the Global Peace Summit, along with the team of Pakistan's most prominent International Law institute, Ahmer Bilal Soofi & Co., met with one of the country's most senior foreign policymakers, Hon'ble Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, Executive Director of the Center for International Strategic Studies—CISS. We discussed the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the position paper of the Global Peace Summit for immediate relief to women and children affected by war. We also agreed on a mutually coordinated diplomatic plan of action that includes geopolitical efforts for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the rescue of women and children away from the genocidal bombardment of Israel, and rehabilitating them in friendly countries with complete provision of fundamental needs of survival. The displaced women and children shall return to their native territories as stipulated in Article 134 of the 1949 Geneva Convention IV, ensured by a peacekeeping force, once the hostilities between the Apartheid Israeli regime and the non-state actors of Hamas come to a halt. #GlobalPeaceSummit #PalestineCabinetMission

South Africa at 30: A Legacy of Peacekeeping and Foreign Policy Influence South Africa celebrates the 30th anniversary of its liberal democracy, a momentous occasion that demands reflection on its remarkable journey and profound impact on the continent. There are moments in life when one is compelled to kneel, overwhelmed with deep reverence and gratitude, in the presence of the boundless blessings and unconditional love of God. It is in such a spirit that I was invited today to a roundtable discussion on SABC News TV to assess the impact and effectiveness of South Africa's peacekeeping interventions across the African continent over the past three decades. For a great nation like South Africa to call upon me to engage in a dialogue about its foreign policy—amidst a legion of political analysts both across the globe and within Africa itself—is a humbling experience. I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to offer my thoughts on the foreign policy of the continent’s leader, from the leadership of Nelson Mandela to that of Cyril Ramaphosa. Participants: The Spokesperson of the South African National Defence Force and a Member of the Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC). I gave my utmost effort to be forthright, insightful, informative, entertaining, and intellectually stimulating. I am thankful to the Lord for granting me this opportunity. One of the core tenets of South Africa’s foreign policy since 1994 has been that the country will never experience true peace within its own borders until the rest of the continent achieves peace and stability. But how successful has South Africa been in realizing this mission? As we stand at this remarkable milestone of 30 years, the question remains: what have been the tangible outcomes of South Africa’s peacekeeping endeavors, and how has the nation’s foreign policy shaped the broader African landscape? For more news and updates, visit sabcnews.com and follow #SABCNews on all social media platforms. Achille Mbembe #UNGA #NATO #EU #WhiteHouse #StateDepartment

How can the United States effectively strengthen its diplomatic, economic, and humanitarian engagement with fragile and conflict-affected African states to support stability, peacebuilding, and sustainable development in the region?  

🌍 Strategic Pathways for Stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo 🌍 I’m excited to share a collaborative policy memo I worked on for an upper level elective that addresses key strategies for conflict resolution and economic development in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Together with my colleagues, we sought practical answers to the ongoing problem, such as militia disarmament, economic change, and the importance of international humanitarian aid. Recommendations: - Removal of foreign militia forces through both diplomatic engagement and strategic defense - Comprehensive economic reform and infrastructure development to support long-term growth - Building alliances for humanitarian aid to assist the millions of displaced citizens I look forward to hearing feedback and discussing how these strategies can create sustainable change in conflict-affected regions.

#Announcement I am delighted to share the news of my appointment to the Advisory Board of Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD)! IGD is a foreign policy think-tank that focuses inter alia on South Africa's foreign policy and the role the country plays in the world. It has, since the advent of democracy, dominated the discourse around south-south cooperation, development cooperation, peacekeeping in Africa, BRICS and China-Africa relations, to name but a few. Here's to a truly exciting new journey as we strive to better understand the tectonic shifts taking place within the ever-changing and unsettling international system. #foreignpolicy #newworldorder #southafrica #developmentcooperation #developmentfinance #brics #multipolarity

I am pleased to share that my latest article, “The Ethiopian State, Foreign Policy and Participation in International Peacekeeping: Continuities and Changes”, has been published in the Journal of International Peacekeeping. The article provides a detailed account of #Ethiopia’s engagement in international peacekeeping operations since the 1950s, linking it through global, (sub-) regional and domestic developments. It emphasises Ethiopia's role in #UN and #AU #peacekeeping missions, particularly since the early 2000s, while raising questions about its future role amid ongoing regional and domestic challenges. You can check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/eWymeAep

On July 11, 2024, the chairman of the Global Peace Summit, Mr. Shaikh Mahmud bin Ilyas, along with the Secretary General of the Global Peace Summit (Pakistan Directorate), Brigadier (R.) Aslam Khan called upon the High Commissioner of South Africa to Pakistan, Mr. Philip Riley, to discuss the immediate plan of action of the 'Palestine Cabinet Mission.' The Chairman extended profound gratitude for South Africa's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, particularly its leadership in advancing the genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The discussions were centered on an urgent course of action aimed at the evacuation of Palestinian war victims and their temporary reallocation to neighboring friendly countries under United Nations supervision, with the assurance of their right to return in accordance with Geneva Convention IV. Furthermore, the parties examined the logistics of the forthcoming diplomatic dialogue in Doha, emphasizing the swift and effective implementation of the rescue and aid mission. This mission is to be undertaken with the cooperation of nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Spain, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, and Iraq. The meeting culminated in a promising accord between the parties on an immediate and practical solution for the rescue, rehabilitation, and aid of Palestinians affected by the conflict, adhering to the principle of 'Women and Children First.' #WarOnGaza #HumanRights #Justice #InternationalLaw #UnitedNations #CeaseFireNow #HumanRightsViolations #InternationalCourtofJustice #InternationalCriminalCourt #PalestinianLivesMatter #BreaktheSilence #EuropeanUnion #SouthAfrica #PalestineCabinetMission #GlobalPeaceSummit

Today we celebrate the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers A day to honor the invaluable contributions and sacrifices made by UN peacekeepers worldwide. 🌍🕊️ Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2002. UN peacekeepers are tasked with a wide range of responsibilities, including protecting civilians, monitoring ceasefires, disarming ex-combatants, supporting the organization of #elections ✍️, promoting human #rights, and assisting in the return of displaced persons. The International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers has a significant connection to the translation industry 📝, emphasizing the critical role that translators and interpreters play in peacekeeping missions. Effective #communication is essential for the success of peacekeeping operations, which often involve diverse #linguistic and cultural environments. #Explika #TranslationInsight #Peacekeepers

Chinese Peacemaking Efforts in Afghanistan Barnett R. Rubin discusses China’s role in conflict mediation in Afghanistan and how China’s approach has evolved with its own changing status in the international sphere. In examining the variety of conflict mediation processes that China has attempted, ranging from private meetings to multilateral groupings, Rubin delves into China’s interests in Afghanistan as well as the limits of China’s involvement.

📜 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗨𝗞 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 The Next Century Foundation presents a report highlighting crucial steps for the new government authored by Konstantina Kastoriadou. We commend the formation of the new administration and urge it to: 1. Recognise, or at least commit to early recognition of, the State of Palestine. 🇵🇸 2. Appoint a Special Envoy for Reconciliation in the Middle East. 🤝 3. Restore funding to UNRWA to support Palestinian refugees. 🌍 4. Stand ready to commit peacekeeping troops if requested and announce this commitment. 🕊️ 5. Promote a Madrid 2 multilateral conference hosted by Arab states. 🌐 6. Encourage immediate Presidential elections for Palestine. 🗳️ Read the full report for detailed recommendations and insights: https://lnkd.in/eZp7GCSA #MiddleEast #Palestine #Diplomacy #UNRWA #Peacekeeping #NextCenturyFoundation #UKLabourParty #KeirStarmer