Conflict-Free Africa: AU Moves Against Weapon Inflow

Participants at the open session of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) have called for practical measures to curb the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Africa.
The Council also called for a restriction in the influx of the weapons to curtail the various conflicts ravaging some parts of the continent.
The AU PSC, being chaired by Nigeria for the month of April, at its 430th meeting, held an open session in Addis Ababa  with the theme: “Silencing the Guns: Pre-requisites for Realising a Conflict-Free Africa by the Year 2020.’’
Chaired by Nigeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Mr. Bulus Paul Lolo the debate attracted statements from AU member states,
non-African countries, bilateral and multilateral partners.
It also drew statements from international organisations and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).
In a statement issued yesterday in Addis Ababa, the PSC said participants also called for a universal signature and ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
“They called for the naming and shaming of suppliers, financiers, facilitators, transit points and recipients of illicit weapons to stemming the phenomenon of the illicit proliferation of these weapons.
“The Council requested the commission to undertake a comprehensive study on the flow of illicit weapons into and within Africa and submit to it the outcome of such a study.
“The Council also agreed on the urgent need for the elaboration of a roadmap to underpin the actions necessary for the attainment of the goal of a conflict-free Africa by 2020.’’
The PSC also urged stakeholders to contribute to the process, stressing that the roadmap should be submitted to the Assembly for consideration.
The  decision of the Council was informed by the political, ethnic, religious and regional conflicts and insurgency problems which engulfed some African countries.
The crises in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), South Sudan, Republic of Sudan, Mali, Egypt and Somalia were all linked to small arms and light weapons imported or smuggled into Africa.
The statement reads: “Participants and Council agreed on the need for rapid, appropriate and courageous response to early warnings on potential outbreaks of violent conflicts.
“Participants called for further strengthening of existing preventive diplomacy tools, including the Panel of the Wise and the Continental Early Warning System, to ensure quick response when the need arises.
“Participants underscored the importance of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and called that it be made fully operational, particularly the African Standby Force and its Rapid Deployment Capability.
“Participants and Council acknowledged the primary responsibility of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in maintaining international peace and security and stressed the need to enhance strategic partnership between the AU PSC and the UNSC.’’
They emphasised the importance of the partnership between Africa and the international community to address both current and emerging threats to peace and security on the continent.
They also stressed the need for AU Member States to step up efforts to protect their citizens and ensure stability.
The participants and Council emphasised the obligations of individuals and non-state actors to uphold the culture of peace and tolerance.
They urged all and sundry to refrain from actions that undermine peace and stability on the continent.
Participants and Council stressed the need for the identification and neutralisations of the root causes of violent conflicts.
They also called for common understanding, definition of, and response to the root causes of violent conflicts to build consensus on the solutions required to comprehensively and effectively address them.
The debate emphasised the importance of good governance, respect for human rights, popular participation and inclusivity.
Participants made a strong call for AU Member States to deepen the culture of democracy, accountability and good governance on the continent.
“Furthermore, they called on AU Member States that are yet to sign, ratify and domesticate existing AU legal frameworks and normative instruments, to do so to promote durable peace and stability.
“As a foundation for durable peace and stability, Member States were urged to redouble their efforts in economic development, ensure the well-being of their people and comprehensively address the problem of youth unemployment on the continent.
Participants urged Member States to strengthen their regulatory mechanisms on the exploitation and management of natural resources.
“Member States must ensure that the proceeds from these resources are utilised in meeting the basic needs of their people to promote equitable development and distribution of benefits,’’ the PSC was quoted as saying.

L-R: Director-General, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Prof. Innocent Ujah, President, Malaria Society of Nigeria, Dr John Babajide and representative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tolu Arowolo, at a symposium to mark the World Malaria Day in Lagos, last Friday