To effectively handle many problems affecting its member countries, the AU is persistently seeking to build internal capacities as well as achieve non-interference in national affairs. The continent is facing diverse challenges that have been either directly or indirectly shaped by external forces, making it a region of turmoil and trouble.
The AU acknowledges that there are often external actors that complicate existing issues that affect the sovereignty and territoriality of member nations. Therefore, the organization seeks to create frameworks and policies to support the internal structures of governance, conflict management, and peace in the African countries. Thus, through the bolstering of these internal capacities, the AU intends to enable its member states to handle their problems more efficiently and autonomously.
Nonetheless, in its unrelenting quest, the African Union interacts with other stakeholders from the national level government, civil society organizations, and regional levels so as to embrace a coherent conflict management approach.
In addition, a concern for the safety of member states is also supported through its efforts designed towards peace, security, and economic growth. In this way, the AU is perpetuating the essential organizational role in the Africa’s endeavor toward peace with the focus on each nation’s needs and goals.
Despite the influx of internal and external pressure, the African Union has remained focused on the promotion of state sovereignty and state integrity. By these efforts, the AU not only seeks to address existing conflicts but also to build a united and strong Africa for the future.
In this regard the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission are commemorating the 4th African Union Awareness Week on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) from 18 to 24 November 2024 at the AUC Headquarter.
The weeklong commemoration has continued to capture an increasing attention and engagement garnered from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities /Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), AU Partners and civil society across Africa.
The theme for the 4th PCRD Awareness Week, “Charting the Path Forward: Collaborative Strategies for Effective PCRD Policy Implementation,” underscored the importance of a unified and strategic approach in advancing post-conflict reconstruction and development.
On the mid of this week AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye told the need for a more innovative and sustainable approach to conflict resolution in the continent during his briefed for media.
According to Bankole on the conflict zones and the efforts being made by the African Union Commission to find peaceful resolution of the conflicts he highlighted building and supporting public democratic institutions that respond to the needs of Africans.
The Commissioner noted “we are witnessing awareness week on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development simply by Advancing and sustaining peace building on the continent.”
Noting the current recent development in Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Mozambique, Chad Basin to Sahel region, he said, “…we have to deal with this crisis and conflict in a more sustainable and innovative way.”
“As we go into the strategic planning for the African Union Commission, we are looking at how we better manage and prevent conflict while at the same time looking specifically at building strong institutions for durable democracy and effective governance on our continent,” he added.
We have invested more in building peace at all levels, the commissioner elaborated.
“We have just started the implementation of the newly revised African Union policy on post conflict reconstruction and development. We want to see more of peace building and work. We want to share African experiences and expertise,” the commissioner indicated.
The post-conflict, reconstruction and development are very essential to many aspects, he said, adding we have added three new pillars to the policy dealing with youth inclusion, environmental sustainability and child protection.
On other hand, he added that we continuously work in our department on promoting democracy, observing elections this year, who we have in the record of almost 15 elections held, of which 14 have so far been observed. According to him, most of the elections have been peaceful this year.
However, he noted that while democracy is being strengthened, there is also a concerning resurgence of military rule in certain regions, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and action.
The PCRD Awareness Week was adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in 2021, and has gained significant recognition and prominence, marking its fourth consecutive year as an official event of the African Union.
The other Headache issues of the continent which is aforementioned the commissioner said “We condemn, without hesitation or ambiguity, any external interference in our continent.”
He highlighted the negative impact such interferences have on conflict situations, particularly in regions like the Sahel and Sudan.
Bankole expressed the need for a unified African approach to defence, aiming for full implementation of existing policies to enhance collective security.
The commissioner also emphasised the AU’s commitment to promoting African solutions to African problems. He condemned the involvement of foreign forces in Libya, aligning with the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions, and stressed that geopolitical interests are emerging as threats to the continent.
“Our goal is to foster African solidarity and ensure that conflicts are resolved peacefully,” he stated, underscoring the importance of equitable representation in the UN Security Council. The AU aims for meaningful reform in the UN body, advocating for a more effective presence at the international level.
In conclusion, Bankole reaffirmed the AU’s dedication to peace and security on the continent, emphasizing the imperative of addressing conflicts through African-led initiatives.
The union is working to promote peace on the continent and advocate for political dialogue over conflict. Regarding Sudan, the bloc emphasizes the need for an immediate ceasefire. According to the commissioner, the organization invested 3.5 million dollars last year to address security problems on the continent.
BY EYUEL KIFLU
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SUNDAY EDITION 24 NOVEMBER 2024
