Conflicts prevention on the African continent depends on the U.N. Security Council’s strong engagement with its Member States, partner organizations and institutions.
The U.N. Secretary-General told the 15-member peace and security body on Monday.
Seeing the eradication of conflict across Africa, “depends on the engagement of the parties involved”, and prevention and resolution efforts “require a united international position and a commitment to shared goals”, António Guterres emphasized.
During the meeting entitled, “Peace and Security in Africa: The Centrality of Preventative Diplomacy, Conflict Prevention and Resolution”, convened under South Africa’s presidency this month, members emphasized the Council’s role in cooperation with regional and sub-regional organizations.
The UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, characterized by ambitions to tackle poverty and inequality, strengthen State institutions, and advocate for human rights, among other targets, are in lock step with the AU-led mission for 2063, he highlighted.
“We are working in full alignment with the AU through our joint framework on sustainable development, for a peaceful and prosperous Africa, with a strong focus on inclusivity, women’s rights and gender equality,” he said.
In 2000, the Council formally acknowledged, through resolution 1325, how women and girls are deferentially impacted by war and conflict and affirmed their vital role in peace building efforts.
Targeting the absence of African women participation in formal mediation processes as addressed in the 1325 agenda, “remains poorly implemented”, Tanzanian Ambassador, Liberata Mulamula, told Members.
“It is high time to not see women as victims, but as agents of diplomacy”, she urged.
The Council also reaffirmed the role of youth in peace dialogue—echoing the theme of last week’s open debate to maximize the potential of young persons in forging peace- a bid to “silence the guns by 2020.”
Before the end of October, the Council is due to be briefed on the Secretary-General’s annual report on the UN-AU strategic partnership.
