Maseru — The British High Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, recently organised a series of training workshops for magistrates and officials from the law enforcement agencies.

The office of the British High Commission said the workshops were aimed at the skills of magistrates and other law enforcement officers. The office said the training covered trial advocacy and practical measures for running magistrates courts, adding that the training would lead to a more efficient service and help to ease the backlog of cases.

The workshops, held in Maseru, Mafeteng and Leribe were facilitated by Faqir Muhammad, a retired UK Barrister and presently a volunteer for British Executive Services Overseas (BESO), a UK non-governmental organisation. Muhammad was assisted by Molefi Mkara, a senior resident magistrate of the Maseru Magistrate Court.

Meanwhile the British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook has underlined his country's commitment to help Africa address the underlying causes of conflict in the continent.

Britain is taking the lead by setting up a conflict prevention fund which brings together the resources of foreign office, the Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development, creating a joined approach to tackling the problem. The country has also proposed that there should be a staff college for UN Peacekeeping to enable the organisation to respond rapidly and effectively to the emergency situations. The country has also proposed an international arms surrender fund to help curb the volume of arms circulation.

During an address on conflict prevention in Sub-Saharan Africa held in London, Cook highlighted a progress towards an international regime to keep conflict diamonds out of world trade.

"I hope this conference will be useful in helping to bring forward the imagination and determination which we need to make this century Africa's century - a century of peace and prosperity, not conflict and destruction," he said.