CISSA not funded by countries outside Africa: Madeira

WINDHOEK, 27 JUL  – The Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) decided to refuse donations and resources from outside and count on itself and the continent for whatever it needs.
In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, Ambassador Francisco Madeira, Head of African Union Mission to Somalia (AMISOM), said this is to allow CISSA to remain a real African institution, dealing with African matters, without any interference from outside.
“This is what we should all aim at by funding our own programmes to make sure that the Africa we want becomes exactly the Africa we want and not the Africa those who have money want,” Madeira emphasised.
He said he was pleased with this decision, adding that despite the challenges the institution may be faced with, this is the way to go in reaching the continent’s goals.
Furthermore, Madeira applauded CISSA’s action in putting an end to human-made crises in Africa, referencing the Somalian war situation with the Al Shabaab militant group.
“Due to CISSA’s capacity, it has to collect information and due to its timely actionable intelligence, we have made a lot of progress in pinning down Al Shabaab and taking them out of action,” according to Madeira.
“CISSA has also done a very wonderful job in terms of stemming human smuggling and drug trafficking, among others,” the AMISOM special representative said.
He said they have the accurate information they need to use immediately as well as guide heads of states to take the right decisions that will positively impact their countries.
Madeira noted that CISSA is faced with a few challenges, such as that the institution’s degree of information-sharing amongst members requires further improvement and needs to be deliberated.
Madeira is attending the 15th Ordinary Session of CISSA conference in the capital which commenced on Thursday and will end on Friday.
CISSA was established on 26 August 2004 in Abuja, Nigeria by the heads of intelligence and security services of Africa. Its purpose is to assist the African Union and all its institutions to address security challenges confronting Africa.

NAMPA