Nicolas Bwakira
Nicolas Bwakira (November 10, 1941
While a man of great stature, responsibility, and accolade, Bwakira embodied the highest attributes of humility, service, and commitment to addressing the needs of the most vulnerable populations.[4] For over half a century, Bwakira gave himself and worked for the less fortunate, in the humanitarian field. Over the years, he mentored many selflessly. He was a pan-Africanist who left a mark which will be difficult to erase.[4] Bwakira’s contribution to peace and security will be enshrined in the post-independence diplomatic history of Africa.[4]
Early life
Bwakira was born on November 10, 1941, in Kabuye,
Career at the United Nations High Commission for Refugees
Bwakira joined the
From 1978, Bwakira worked at the UNHCR headquarters as head of Central and West Africa Desk until 1982 when he was posted to Ethiopia again as
After leaving Namibia in 1990, Bwakira returned to the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland as director for Africa, where he was involved in the negotiations for the return of South African exiles. There, he demonstrated his negotiation talents and diplomatic acumen. In 1994, Bwakira was appointed UNHCR regional director for the SADC region, based in
Namibia Independence
Bwakira contributed immensely to Namibia's transition to independence, he oversaw the return of Namibia exiles in his role as UNHCR Deputy Director for Africa in 1989. Bwakira came to Namibia in 1989 as part of the
Director of International Relations and Partnerships at UNISA
After retiring from UNHCR in 2002, Bwakira joined the University of South Africa (UNISA) as the Director of International Relations and Partnerships until 2007. Under the leadership of the Principal & Vice-Chancellor Dr. Barney Pityana, he helped to extend the reach of distance education to African countries, which culminated with the opening of the UNISA-Ethiopia Regional Centre in Addis-Ababa and the establishment of the South Sudan civil servant training program. Bwakira went on to serve on the international advisory board for the South Sudan Center for Strategic and Policy Studies (CSPS), a think-tank institution that aspires to be a leading research institution in the region and internationally in the fields of strategic and policy studies.[8]
African Union Special Envoy to Somalia and Head of AMISOM
From 2007 to 2009, Bwakira was appointed as the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the
Roles as Advisor and Trustee
Upon stepping down from his distinguished career with the
Bwakira was also a long-standing member of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Board of Trustees where he consistently advocated for those in Africa who are marginalized and vulnerable.[10] He is remembered by the ISS colleagues for his inquisitive mind and energy, his meticulous preparations, and contribution to the work of the ISS.[10]
Bwakira was a member of the Africa Humanitarian Action (AHA) international Board of Trustees since its inception in 1994, offering his counsel tirelessly up until his formal retirement from the board at AHA's 25th anniversary in 2019.[11] During the AHA's 25th anniversary markings held in Kigali, Rwanda, Bwakira delivered the event's closing remarks, highlighting the role of African NGOs and the need for strengthened solidarity and collaboration between all stakeholders to find durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa.[11] Bwakira was a thoughtful and meticulous person, a humanitarian at heart and an ardent pan-Africanist. His voice and committed support for African NGOs, as a critical component in the humanitarian sector will be greatly missed.[11]
References
- ^ "Who's who of Southern Africa". 1989.
- ^ a b c d Iranzi, Fabrice (Mar 6, 2021). "Burundi: Former AU representative to Somalia Amb. Nicolas Bwakira passes away at 80".
- ^ a b c d "Statement of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Passing of Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira of Burundi | African Union". au.int.
- ^ a b c d e f g "CMI mourns the passing of Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira". Mar 11, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Opinion - Go well minder of exiled Namibians … a tribute to Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira". Truth, for its own sake.
- ^ Refugees, United Nations High Commissioner for. "UNHCR mourns death of former staff member, Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira". UNHCR.
- ^ The Namibian June 1989 [dead link]
- ^ "INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY BOARD".
- ^ a b c d "Statement on the death of Ambassador Nicolas Bwakira". AMISOM. Mar 7, 2021.
- ^ a b "Nicolas Bwakira: a pan-Africanist committed to serving the continent's people". ISS Africa. Mar 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Press Release – Africa Humanitarian Action".