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Lang Yabou,Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Republic Gambia to the United Nations in New York,USA has advised African nations to sustain peace and back out of conflict.
Yabou, gave the advise during a lecture he delivered at the Ist Eminent Lecture Series in Igbinedion University Okada on Friday.
The theme:”Sustainable Peace,Security and Social Inclusion as Catalyst for Africa’s Future and Development” aims at achieving sustainable peace in Africa.
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“It is being supported by the New Partnership for Africa´s Development (NEPAD), the AU and the United Nations”,he said.
He said that governing efforts that can contribute to sustainable peace include; increasing space for popular participation in electoral processes; giving more rights to minority and marginalized groups.
Yabou said others are:making governance institutions more inclusive along ethnic, religious, racial and gender lines; promoting commitment towards accountability, resource mobilization, reform of financial and monetary institutions, and trade liberalization; adopting reforms that facilitate private sector development.
He said that security is important for Africa´s future because current conflicts are hindering development,adding that conflict have a direct effect on the management of land-based resources which are needed for Africa´s future.
“Security in terms of food is also important to attain sustainable development in Africa. Africa’s agriculture employs some 70 percent of the work force and generates on average 30 percent of Africa’s GDP”.
“Despite the fact that, at least 70 per cent of Africa’s labour force is engaged in agriculture, Africa is not food secure and still imports most of the important food items. Africa relies on 3.23 million tons of food aid annually and imports 25 per cent of its food grain requirements”.
“Today, conflicts in Africa are causing fewer fatalities than in the 1990s, but the number of violent incidents is increasing, and violence is becoming more complex”.
“Africa’s high conflict burden requires continued investment in conflict prevention, control of arms, security-sector reform, the rule of law and regional forces”,he said.
Yabou said that conflicts in Africa form the bulk of the agenda of the UN Security Council but, yet Africa does not have a permanent seat on the Security Council.
“The Africa we want for the future, the Africa we need and reaffirming our commitment to building a safer, peaceful and socially inclusive Africa should be our collective shared responsibility”.
“To facilitate this, the use of mechanisms like the African Peace Facility, Panel of the Wise, the Continental Early Warning Systems, African Women Leaders Network, Global Alliance of Women Mediators, respect for African voices and most importantly nurturing the seeds of peaceful co-existence will be huge steps in achieving sustainable peace and security as catalysts for Africa’s future and development”.
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“The amust equally foster national cohesion, reconciliation, social inclusion, justice, end poverty, achieve food security, and there must be solidarity and mutual respect from the international community”.
“This should be our endeavour, our story, our journey and dream as Africans. It can no longer be business as usual because we have a continent to build”,Yabou said.
