Rwanda has urged African countries to strengthen their own capacity and resources to prevent and resolve conflicts instead of relying heavily on foreign partners.
Prime Minister Justin Nsengiyumva made the call on Sunday, Aug. 30, while attending the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola.
The meeting was held under the theme “Strengthening Approaches to Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.”
Nsengiyumva said Africa needs to build the financial resources, institutional capacity and trust required to lead its own peace efforts, from early conflict prevention to mediation and resolution.
“Africa should not continue to rely mainly on external partners to mobilise resources to resolve conflicts, or hand over the mediation of its conflicts to those outside the continent,” Nsengiyumva said.
“We must build the trust, capacity and resources that enable us to lead our own peace processes, from early prevention to mediation and conflict resolution,” he said.
His remarks come as several parts of Africa continue to face armed conflicts, with some peace and mediation efforts involving countries and organisations from outside the continent.
The African Union has set the goal of “silencing the guns” across Africa by 2030 under its Agenda 2063 development framework.
The Luanda meeting focused on strengthening African approaches to conflict prevention and resolution as the continent continues to face security challenges in several regions.
Rwanda has advocated greater African ownership of peace and security efforts and stronger continental mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts.
Nsengiyumva said African countries needed to match their commitment to peace with the financial resources and institutional capacity required to sustain their own peace initiatives.
