Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan has concluded his visit to Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), marking the end of a week-long visit to five countries where he has been meeting with African partners as part of a fact-finding trip to inform Canada’s re-engagement in peace operations.
While in Africa, Sajjan met with representatives from the United Nations, African Union, and NGOs to better understand the nature of conflict on the ground and the work currently being done by African partners and NGOs. Accompanying Sajjan on this trip were Lieutenant-General (Ret.) Roméo Dallaire, Justice Louise Arbour, and Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations Marc-André Blanchard.
Sajjan’s visits to Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the DRC were an excellent opportunity to strengthen relationships with African partners, learn more first-hand about the security issues affecting the continent, and hear recommendations from those on the ground about how Canada can best make a tangible contribution to future peace support operations.
