Page 13 - EPLO ACTIVITY REPORT 2023

Mission to the UN in Geneva

EPLO is an observer Organization in the UN and other organizations in Geneva. Its diverse Geneva Office activities
involve extensive engagement with:

- The deliberations and sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC) addressing the multifaceted challenges and
geopolitical tensions facing an interconnected world. Over fifty reports and political analysis papers were
submitted about the most salient political and other issues which the Council debated and took action on during
its regular and special sessions.

- “Think Tanks” and “Foundations” (Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF) and the Geneva Center) holding panel-type
events, addressing global challenges, promoting democracy, and enhancing international cooperation. Such
events constitute a platform for high-level inclusive dialogues for diplomats, experts, academics, and Civil Society
representatives.

Discussion on Democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa
24 October 2022

Along these lines, a very successful
panel event was organized, under the
aegis of the EPLO Geneva Office and Kofi
Annan Foundation, on “Democracy in
Sub-Saharan Africa: Trends,
opportunities, challenges, and threats”
at the Palais des Nations, Geneva. In the
aftermath of the event, Ambassador
George Papadatos met with the
Ambassador Clara Manuela Da Luz
Delogado Jesus of Cape Verde and the
Minister of Justice H.E. Joana Amado. A
number of cooperative schemes
between EPLO and Cape Verde were
suggested. The Minister responded by
inviting the EPLO Director, Professor
Spyridon Flogaitis, to Cape Verde to discuss further modalities and the scope of such cooperation.

- African ambassadors, NGOs, and other Civil Society representatives. The Head of the Geneva office was invited
to participate as a panelist due to his consistent record defending democracy in Africa and promoting ideas for
“transitional governments” to return to constitutional democracy. Over forty “side events” were attended during
the 2022-2023 sessions of the Human Rights Council (HRC).

- The SCLA (Swiss Chinese Law Association) Geneva,
Headquarters for the purpose of organizing a joint
panel event.
-Makaila N’guebla, diplomatic advisor of the
President of Chad Mahamat Déby, who, since 20
April 2021, took power in a military coup following
the death of his father, President Idriss Déby. Amb.
George Papadatos, Ph.D., met twice with Makaila
N’guebla who mentioned that President Déby was
keen to institutionalize reforms and return Chad to a
constitutional democracy. The second meeting took
place with Mikaila N’guebla and the Minister of
EPLO Sub- Saharan Africa Event 2022-20_22 Information Mahamad Zene Cherif. An idea that
gained ground was for the President of Chad Mahamat Déby to visit the EPLO Headquarters and establish a
cooperative relationship with the Organization for the purpose of implementing institutional reforms and drawing
a roadmap for returning Chad to democracy. Discussions were disrupted, however, due to developments in Sudan.

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