September 21, 2020 (Juba, South Sudan): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is made in relation to the Oxfam Pan Africa Programme grant under the Inclusive Peace and Security project grant from Oxfam Novib, and the Model African Union Ethiopia with a Nile Youth Development Actions (NYDA) as a subsidiary partner in South Sudan. The MoU focuses on activities related to peace and security, and the COVID 19.
Currently, the world is facing a severe pandemic of the coronavirus disease outbreak which was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global threat that requires emergency and prompt actions. To stem further spread of the virus, authorities around the world implemented measures to lock down countries and cities to a varying degree. That includes closing borders, schools and directives to work from home vis a vis the workplace and limiting large gatherings. Those restrictions brought much of global economic activity to halt, hurting business, social lives, peace effort, security, and causing people to bear the plague of poverty, particularly in Africa, now the need for restarting stronger is arising more than ever. The African continent is hit by this invisible enemy adding on the existing vulnerabilities of the health system in response and containment of the virus.
As the continent is recording an increased number of COVID-19 cases globally, peace and security remain a top concern in Africa particularly countries undergoing political shifts and instability. Thus, it is important to invest in young people, their, organizations and initiatives in the fight to combat the pandemic and its impact, especially on Peace and Security.
This MoU is signed to realize these goals and vision in the next two months from September to November 2020. Most notably the Pan Africa Programme (PAP) is the Oxfam International advocacy, campaigns and influencing agency seeking to engage the citizens and African states to see an Africa that is self-reliant, democratic, peaceful, and responsive to the rights and development needs of its citizens. While the Model Africa Union Ethiopia – is a wonderful educational opportunity for students and young people to gain first-hand knowledge about the African and global issues while assuming the role of delegates responsible for debating and resolving issues of regional and global significance.
