By Randy J. Sa-ah
IN OUR article released on April 23rd, titled “Revealing Shadows: The African Union Commission’s Unlawful Suspension of AFCONE’s Executive Secretary,” we made a solemn commitment. We pledged to conduct a comprehensive investigation spanning twelve articles, each meticulously exploring the various facets and repercussions of the issue at hand.
Today, we embark on this journey with an uncompromising determination to shed light on the individuals responsible for the African Union’s unjustifiable suspension of the AFCONE Executive Secretary.
The urgency of this investigation cannot be overstated. The AFCONE Secretariat has suffered grievous blows – operational setbacks, financial strain, and irreparable damage to its reputation. Our mission is clear: we must uncover the architects of misinformation surrounding the AFCONE Executive Secretary.
We must unearth the motivations driving these individuals to deliberately deceive AFCONE States Parties, AFCONE Partners, and the African Union Commission.
Through rigorous investigation, we have pinpointed three individuals at the heart of the AFCONE-AUC debacle: Mr. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo of the Republic of Congo, Ambassador Mohamed Salem Boukhari Khalil of the Republic of Somalia, and Dr. Yau Idris of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Let us set the stage. Our inquiry unearthed damning evidence – letters bearing the AFCONE insignia, signed by Mr. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo and Dr. Yau Idris.
These missives were circulated among Ministers of Foreign Affairs/External Relations and Ambassadors of States Parties to the Treaty of Pelindaba. One such letter, spanning six pages, dated January 15, 2024, implored States to boycott the Conference of State Parties scheduled for January 22-23, 2024. Similarly, Ambassador Mohamed Salem Boukhari Khalil, in his capacity as Acting Legal Counsel to the African Union, dispatched an email on January 20, 2024, urging the same course of action.
Their collective plea: a boycott of the January 2024 CSP. Notably, point 6 of Ambassador Khalil’s email underscored the imperative of adherence to legal frameworks, condemning any deviation as a flagrant violation.
On April 8, 2024, Mr. Gaspard and Dr. Idris penned a parallel call to action, urging states parties to boycott the CSP scheduled for May 2-3, 2024. Their directive was unequivocal: disregard any communication from the Secretariat or the Suspended Executive Secretary regarding the May 2024 CSP.
Our investigation uncovered egregious breaches of protocol by Gaspard, Idris, and Mohamed. The AFCONE Rules of Procedure mandate that all official communications related to the Treaty of Pelindaba originate solely from the AFCONE Secretariat.
Yet, Gaspard and Idris flagrantly violated this rule by utilizing AFCONE letterhead and disseminating communications independently. Moreover, they failed to address AFCONE matters at the CSP, the designated forum for such discussions. Ambassador Khalil’s actions further compounded the transgressions, exhibiting incompetence and disdain for AFCONE governance.
We vow to hold these individuals accountable. Our upcoming reports will meticulously dissect the actions of each culprit, beginning with Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo.
Who is Mr. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo in relation to AFCONE?
AT THE national level, Mr. Gaspard Liyoko Mboyo serves as a beacon of authority in the Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville). As the Communication Adviser to the Minister of Justice and President of the national nuclear regulatory cell, he wields significant influence over matters of national importance, including nuclear safety, security, safeguards, and non-proliferation.
Within the AFCONE domain, the Republic of Congo-Brazzaville assumed the prestigious role of Chair of the 12-Member Commission of States to the African Commission on Nuclear Energy.
According to CSP Rules of Procedure, the nominated representative of Congo-Brazzaville ascends to the esteemed position of Commission Chairperson.
The chronology of events surrounding Mr. Gaspard reveals a disconcerting truth. Despite his ascent to the Chairmanship, an internal audit in November 2021 uncovered a startling revelation: his appointment lacked official endorsement from the Republic of Congo.
Unlike his counterparts, Mr. Liyoko Mboyo’s self-nomination, sent from his personal Gmail account, failed to align with AFCONE’s established procedures. To this day, the Republic of Congo has yet to issue an official nomination letter, rendering Mr. Liyoko Mboyo’s position precarious at best.
Furthermore, Mr. Liyoko Mboyo has embarked on a reckless campaign of misinformation against the Executive Secretary, evading accountability and eschewing dialogue at the CSP. His unauthorized use of AFCONE letterhead and manipulation of allies within the AU constitute egregious violations of AFCONE rules and governance.
We will not falter in our pursuit of justice. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into the actions of Dr. Yau Idris of Nigeria.
Together, we will ensure accountability and safeguard the integrity of AFCONE.
Randy J. Sa-ah is a Senior Journalist, Public Affairs Analyst from Cameroon.
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