Addis Ababa: The President of the Republic and of the African Union (AU), Joo Louren§o, called for a comprehensive conference dedicated to analyzing conflicts in Africa during his speech at the swearing-in of AU Commission members in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He emphasized the focus of the proposed meeting on “the issue of peace as an obligatory and inalienable good for all the peoples of the African continent.”
According to Angola Press News Agency, Louren§o insisted that individuals or countries promoting tensions and conflicts must be discouraged, held accountable, and subjected to heavy sanctions. He highlighted ongoing issues like terrorism, violent extremism, unconstitutional changes in governments, and armed conflicts as challenges facing the continent.
Louren§o expressed a common concern among officials to end conflicts and redirect attention and resources toward development. He noted some progress in resolving longstanding conflicts but warned about the negative direction of ongoing conflicts, particularly in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
On the DRC issue, Louren§o reiterated Angola’s commitment to peaceful solutions, opposing the “Balkanization plan” and military attempts to alter established power in Kinshasa. Regarding Sudan, he praised Uganda’s President Yoweri Musseveni’s efforts in fostering dialogue for a ceasefire, humanitarian assistance, and national reconciliation.
Louren§o urged deeper reflection by the AU Commission to empower the Peace and Security Council in preventing and resolving conflicts. He stressed the need for a robust African architecture for peace and security, expressing concern over external institutions like the European Union and United Nations Security Council sometimes being more rigorous in their positions.
He criticized lengthy conferences of Heads of State and Government, advocating for more focused and productive sessions. Louren§o advised that only substantive issues related to politics, peace, defense, security, diplomacy, and economic development should be brought to these meetings for decision-making.
Louren§o called for a more agile, less bureaucratic operating model to achieve effective resolutions. He emphasized Africa’s responsibility to find “African solutions to African issues” and achieve the silencing of guns across the continent.