With the financial support of Japan, the Ecole Internationale des Forces de Securité (EIFORCES) of the Government of Cameroon organized a peacekeeping training course from 19 to 30 March 2012 at the Palais des Congress in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The peacekeeping seminar was formally opened in the presence of Cameroonese Secretary of State in charge of Gendarmerie Jean-Baptiste Bokam, Japanese Ambassador Tsutomu Arai and American Deputy Chief of Mission Lisa Peterson. General Mohammadou Hamadicko of Cameroon, in his capacity as Director of EIFORCES, oversaw the content of the course and suitability to the African context of peacekeeping operations. The team of trainers from Japan, Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa and UN International Mediator Ms. Michiko Kuroda was joined by Mr. Saif Malik of the United Nations Mission in Darfur and Mr. Hillel Loew, Peacekeeping Analyst.

　On the first day, Professor Hasegawa made two presentations on the evolutionary growth of UN peacekeeping operations and on the identification of characters and temperament types with the use of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). Ms. Kuroda then extensively addressed the issues and methods of negotiation, conflict resolution and mediation in conflict situations. Mr. Saif Malik gave a thorough presentation on the Role of Security Personnel in Peacekeeping Operations. Mr. Hillel Loew facilitated the smooth understanding of peacekeeping notions to the francophone audience. During the conclusion session, Professor Hasegawa gave presentations on Integrated Mission Planning Process and Strategic Leadership. The participants also benefited from a presentation given by Colonel Ndongui of Gabon on the Development of the African Peace and Security Architecture. Throughout the course of the seminar, Professor Pondi of the International Relations Institute of Cameroon moderated the training and offered insightful comments to the lectures. The seminar was an opportunity to provide the participants with hands-on training on strategic leadership, civil-military coordination, conflict mediation and code of conduct practices in peacekeeping operations. By learning and interacting with Professor Hasegawa’s team, the participants are now more familiar with the challenges to arise in the course of their assignment in peacekeeping operations.
(Hillel Loew)