Leaders from Africa commit to ending wars

Heads of state and government officials from across Africa have expressed their commitment to pursue solutions aimed at ending wars to pave the way for the continent's development aspirations.

The leaders who gathered in Addis Ababa on Sunday and Monday－for the 33rd ordinary session of the assembly of the African Union, themed Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa's Development－voiced optimism that the goal of ending conflicts in the continent is achievable.

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa and the incoming 2020 chair of the AU, said Africa's collective work to ensure political and economic unity, good governance and peace should be strengthened by supporting efforts to promote integration, industrialization, economic development, trade and investment.

Toward that end, Ramaphosa announced that he plans to host two events in May: the 13th extraordinary summit on the Africa Continental Free Trade Area and an extraordinary summit on "silencing the guns".

The latter event will focus on the implementation of the AU master roadmap, and respond to "emerging circumstances on the African peace and security landscape".

"The summit must come up with real actions that Africans must take to end conflicts, and deal with acts of terrorism that are raging in many countries and regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and now spreading to other parts of Southern Africa as well," he said.

"We must also deal with the actions of other countries outside our continent that are fighting proxy wars and fueling the ongoing conflicts.

"Through the AU Peace and Security Council, the AU Commission, or AUC, and the collective membership, we will focus our efforts on conflict resolution across the continent, especially those experiencing protracted conflicts."

Ramaphosa said he will work with Denis Sasso N'Guesso, the president of the Republic of the Congo, in his role as the chairman of the AU High Level Committee on Libya, to convene an intra-Libyan conference to promote the goal of a cease-fire and dialogue.

"We will continue to work with the parties in South Sudan with a view to implementing the outstanding issues of the Revitalized Agreement, in order to pave the way for the formation of the government of national unity," he said.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called the continuing conflicts and the increasing risks posed by terrorism and extremism as the main challenges that Africa is grappling with.

Sisi said Egypt is ready to host a special African summit to discuss establishment of an African force that will be mandated with fighting terrorism in the continent.

Ramtane Lamamra, special envoy of the AUC chairman on silencing the guns, said that ending Africa's wars is achievable, judging from the gains made in promoting peace and security since 2004.

Lamamra said: "Inclusivity should be conceptualized in all facets of conflict resolution as one of the essential ingredients in silencing the guns in the continent", by involving all layers of society, particularly women and young people.