The 33rd African Union heads of state and government summit opened n the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Sunday with the view to “silencing the guns and creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development.”
For two days, the talks will mainly focus on peace and security, sustainable development, and trade issues.
The summit is also expected to discuss a broad agenda premised on the security situation in strife-torn Libya and the terrorism-infested Sahel region.
Despite their commitment to end armed conflicts and preventing genocide on the continent by 2020, AU leaders have realized that the challenges are still rife and that security and peace issues should be put high on the agenda.
Besides Libya and the Sahel, the political and security situation elsewhere most notably in South Sudan or Cameroon for example remains critical.
According to the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, however in 2019, many conflicts have been prevented in the aftermath of crucial elections in DR Congo, Madagascar, and Mali.
“There are a number of players and military equipment and armies in Libya that made peace between Libyans impossible. This is unacceptable; it is a violation of the U.N. arms embargo,” Guterres lamented.
Speaking about terrorism in the Sahel, he called for stronger financial and adequate financing to help in equipping the G5 joint force deployed in the region.
In his inaugural speech, AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat insisted that Africa has consistently voiced up to recall her opposition to a military solution.
He instead called for “a real inclusive political process” focused on a full implication and commitment by Libya’s belligerents.
Dng/as/APA