African Union To End Conflict In Africa By 2020

The African Union (AN), has reiterated its commitment to silence guns in Africa and achieve good governance, democracy and sustainable peace on the continent by 2020.

The decision was taken in Dakar, Senegal, recently during the Union's 3rd Annual High Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance in Africa.

The Dialogue held under the theme; "Silencing the Guns: Strengthening Governance to Prevent, Manage and Resolve Conflict In Africa." The AU has set 2020 as its target for silencing guns on the continent in a bid to deepen the post-Cold War Peace dividend  among member State and as part of the African Agenda framework.

Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo

The commitment comes on the sidelines of violent protests in Burkina Faso that have ousted President Blaise Compaore. A situation which Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said was regrettable. "It is a regrettable situation because Africa ought to have passed this situation and it is a real democratic regression for the Burkinabe," stated Obasanjo.

During the opening ceremony, Senegal's Minister of African Integration and Good governance, Khadim Diop, remarked ; "violence in Africa constitute a new threat for the continent. The theme of this  dialogue shows that the causes of violence in Africa emanate from bad governance," Diop stated.

According to participants, sustainable development cannot be achieved under violent conflicts that generate insecurity and political instability. 

The main objective  of the 3rd High Level Dialogue was to explore the root causes of conflicts in Africa and propose policy measures through which governance systems can be strengthened to address violent conflicts on the continent. 

AU commissioner for Political Affairs Dr Aisha Laraba Abdullahi

According to the AU commissioner for Political Affairs Dr Aisha Abdullahi, Africa has registered the highest number of displaced person and 40 000 others could die as they attempt to sail across the oceans for safety. 

Olusegun Obasanjo said African leaders are very sensitive on issues concerning conflicts evasion. He then suggested that positions should be proposed to former Heads of States in order to prevent them from hanging on to power.

'There are even director position in the AU University where we have chosen to appoint these Presidents while waiting for calm in their countries or find them other jobs in missions" said Obasanjo.

He remarked that the prolonged violent conflicts in Africa have registered a significant loss of live, retarded economic development and environmental degradation and moreover,  slowed  democratisation.

The dialogue  was convened by the African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Africa Governance Institude (AGI), the Government of the Republic of Senegal and supported by Germany through the Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, GIZ.