TZ to continue supporting AU peace agenda

NEW YORK: MINISTER for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabiti Kombo, has reaffirmed Tanzania’s commitment to working with development partners in maintaining peace and resolving conflicts through diplomacy.

Ambassador Kombo made the remarks on Wednesday in New York, US, at the 1303rd Meeting of Heads of State and Government of the African Union Peace and Security Council, where he represented President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

He noted that many African leaders recognise the progress made in strengthening peace and security infrastructure through the African Peace and Security Architecture, implemented alongside the Good Governance Framework.

“This initiative has facilitated the establishment of platforms for knowledge exchange among African Union Member States, while enhancing solidarity and collective commitment to enable Africa to achieve lasting peace,” said Ambassador Kombo.

He recalled that in 2013, during the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the African Union, the continent adopted the Silencing the Guns initiative, aimed at ending wars by 2020.

However, he said the timeframe for implementation has since been extended to 2030, to give Africa a realistic chance of realising its aspiration of achieving lasting peace.

For his part, Chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, President João Lourenço of Angola, urged Member States to continue strengthening efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts across Africa to enhance the safety and development of Africans.

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“If decisive action is not taken now, these conflicts will continue to threaten the peace and stability of the continent, as well as hinder the implementation of resolutions and treaties of the African Union under Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said President Lourenço.

He explained that Agenda 2063 is a long-term development framework of the African Union, established in 2013 during the commemoration of the AU’s 50th anniversary, aimed at promoting prosperity, peace, unity and inclusive development across the African continent by 2063.

President Lourenço also emphasised the importance of increasing financial contributions to the revitalised African Union Peace Fund and collaborating with the United Nations to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2719, to establish a solid resource base that will support efforts to bring peace to Africa.

The African Union Peace and Security Council was established in 2004 as part of the African Union institutions aimed at maintaining peace, security and stability across the continent.

This Council is also responsible for preventing conflicts before they arise, addressing emerging conflicts and seeking lasting solutions to existing conflicts to promote sustainable development and prosperity in Africa.

This meeting was attended by all Member States of the Peace and Security Council, the African Union Commission and the United Nations. The meeting took place alongside the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, under the theme, “Re-energising Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.”