Brussels, 23 April 2015/ ACP: Diplomats from the Republics of Liberia and Zimbabwe, recently posted to Brussels, delivered their maiden statements to the Committee of Ambassadors of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States last week.
The Ambassador of Liberia H.E Mr. Isaac Nyenabo II took the opportunity to express his gratitude to ACP member states who responded to calls for assistance during the catastrophic outbreak of ebola in the West Africa region. He also underscored the “overwhelming” support from the European Union during the crisis, which most severely affected Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

The Ambassador of Zimbabwe, H.E Mr. Tadeous Tafirenyika Chifamba thanked the ACP Group for support rendered while the country faced sanctions from the European Union for 13 years, under Article 96 of the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement. After these were finally lifted in November 2014, Zimbabwe signed its National Indicative Programme on 16 February 2015, allowing the Government to access financing for national programmes from the European Development Fund for the first time since 2002.
Ambassador Chifamba called for support for the unconditional removal of all sanctions, including those the EU has maintained on President Robert Mugabe, the First Lady and the Zimbabwe Defence Industries.
Both diplomats noted 2015 as a milestone for the ACP Group, having reached 40 years of existence, and urged continued collaboration as a group.
Outgoing representatives
During the session, the Committee also bid farewell to the Ambassador of Burkina Faso H.E Frederic Korsaga, who leaves Brussels after more than two years of service.
Ambassador Korsaga was commended for his role as Chair of the Sub-committee on Investment and private sector, which recently finalised negotiations with European partners on a joint ACP-EU private sector strategy. He also made valuable recommendations to the Committee of Ambassadors on issues related to the Centre for Enterprise Development (CDE).
Later in the week, the ACP Secretary General Dr. Patrick I. Gomes received the outgoing Ambassador of Rwanda, H.E Mr. Robert Masozera, who also departs Brussels after serving as Head of Mission since 2011.

(Photos from top: Ambassador T.T. Chifamba of Zimbabwe; Ambassador Isaac Nyenabo of Liberia; outgoing Ambassador of Burkina Faso Frederic Korsaga receives gift from Committee of Ambassadors, presented to him by Samoan Ambassador Fatumanava Paó Luteru; Ambassador Robert Masozera (centre) of Rwanda meets with ACP Secretary General before his departure from Brussels, pictured here with Counsellor at the Rwandan Embassy Mr. Faustin Musare.)

– ACP Press