His Excellency Mr. Oliver Wilcox, Strategic Engagement Chief, Peace and security at U.S. State Department visited the Secretary General of the International Islamic Fiqh Academy (IIFA) , His Excellency Professor Koutoub Moustapha Sano at his premise in Yaoundé on Friday 26^th Safar 1446 corresponding to 30th August 2024, on the sidelines of the Conference of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on 29-30 August 2024. His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy Prof. Koutoub Moustapha Sano welcomed him and thanked him for his visit, which demonstrates a good collaborative relationship between the Academy and educational institutions and policymakers in the United States of America in promoting peace and dialogue.

His Excellency Mr. Wilcox expressed his deep thanks and great gratitude to His Excellency the Secretary General of the Academy for the good reception and warm welcome, stressing his great interest and keenness to the meeting with Professor Sano in the context of his country’s relentless endeavour to strengthen relations of cooperation and coordination with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and its affiliated bodies, especially the International Islamic Fiqh Academy.

Both Professor Sano and Mr. Wilcox explored several areas for collaboration, especially promotion of peace and security; engagement with the youth, repatriation of former combatants with ISIS through rehabilitation programmes, socio-psychological support and religious intervention; and issues pertaining to persons with disabilities. They also discussed having a resolution to the Gaza war according to international law. Professor Sano particularly observed that the influence of America should be leveraged to bring an end to the carnage in Gaza.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Sarah Amjad Bedewi, Director of Family, Women and Supervisor of the Office of the Secretary General, Mr. Saad Sammar, Head of Media and Dr. Alhagi Manta Drammeh, Head of International Cooperation and External Relations Division at the Academy.