• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Africa

Africa taking responsibility for challenges to its peace, security and development: Ramaphosa

5 December 2020, 7:55 AM  |
Sherwin Bryce-Pease Sherwin Bryce-Pease |  @SABCNews
President Ramaphosa has acknowledged the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU.

President Ramaphosa has acknowledged the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU.

Image: SABC News

President Ramaphosa has acknowledged the strategic partnership between the UN and the AU.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says Africa is progressing in strengthening stability on the continent. During his speech while chairing a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on cooperation between the global organisation and regional organisations like the African Union (AU), Ramaphosa said the continent is taking responsibility for the complex challenges to its peace, security and development.

“The African Union has recognised the nexus between peace and development. In this regard, the AU has aligned the African Peace and Security Architecture with Agenda 2063, the blueprint for Africa’s Development. This approach aims to prevent and end conflict through dialogue, mediation, peace support operations and a sustained focus on post-conflict reconstruction and development. The invaluable role of the United Nations in support of these African-led initiatives cannot be overstated.”

President Ramaphosa acknowledged the strategic partnership between both organisations and in peace operations on the continent – in the Central African Republic and Mali, the AU-UN Hybrid mission in Darfur and the AU Mission in Somalia among others; commending the brave African women and men who continuing to give life and limb in supporting peace operations.

“Through our cooperation, we also need to address the root causes and drivers of conflict in Africa, including development and governance issues. We must look at all factors that may impede the realisation of a peaceful and prosperous Africa.  Despite the significant gains we have made, we remain concerned at the immense humanitarian challenges faced as a result of ongoing conflicts on the continent and the COVID-19 pandemic.  South Africa supported the Secretary-General’s call earlier this year for a global ceasefire to respond to the humanitarian challenges posed by the pandemic.”

For his part, UN Chief Antonio Guterres acknowledged that continued close collaboration will be key to ensuring peace in Africa, including silencing the guns.

“The challenges loom large. New conflicts are erupting, the climate emergency is raging and the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating fragilities, impacting disproportionally women and the most vulnerable. As in other parts of the world, trust is being eroded – which underscores the importance of good governance and respect for human rights. This is not just essential to the continent’s development.  It is also crucial to peace and security. Dealing with the pandemic must not take attention away from maintaining peace and security in Africa.”

UN Security Council debates role of women in peacebuilding and peacekeeping:

The AU Commission Chair, Moussa Faki Mahamat, said the ‘Africa we want’  believes in the principles of international cooperation to address common challenges as one global community calling the AU-UN partnership a blueprint of multilateral cooperation.

“In this regard I will continue to urge the international community in particular the UNSC to acknowledge the principles of burden sharing for the maintenance of global peace and security. This should include the predictable, sustainable and flexible financing of AU-led or authorised peace support operations based on the principle of UN-assessed contributions. As we seek new ways to reinforce stronger multilateral cooperation, we must also address the contradictions of this council that hamper and sometimes impede resolution of conflict in Africa.”

While broadly praising the partnership, Faki also criticised the unsatisfactory relations with the Security Council as evidenced by the difficulty the AU has had in asserting its role in resolving the conflict in Libya and the centrality of Africa addressing African challenges.

The Council has adopted a Presidential Statement that affirms the importance of the strategic relationship between the two bodies while expressing concern at the growing threat to peace and security posed by terrorism and violent extremism on the African continent.

The United Nations Security Council meeting was a prelude to the African Union’s Extraordinary Summit this weekend that will focus on the African Continental Free Trade Area and Silencing the Guns by 2020.

Share article
Tags: African UnionUN Security Council
Previous Post

SA’s first batch of COVID-19 immunisations expected in second quarter of 2021

Next Post

DA’s Nqaba Bhanga elected as Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor

Related Posts

Delegates at the SADC Summit in DRC

President Ramaphosa says SADC meeting in DRC was successful

18 August 2022, 3:47 PM
FILE PHOTO: Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos applauds as he attends the inauguration of the new Luanda Bay Marginal in the capital Luanda August 28, 2012.

Spain allows Angolan ex-leader’s body to be repatriated after ruling out foul play

18 August 2022, 3:21 PM
FILE PHOTO: French soldiers work on a Tiger attack helicopter at the Operational Desert Plateform Camp (PfOD) during the Operation Barkhane in Gao, Mali, August 1, 2019. Picture taken August 1, 2019.

Mali requests a UN Security Council meeting amid tensions with France

18 August 2022, 2:39 PM
Kenya's President-elect William Ruto is seen speaking during an interview at ahis Karen residence in Nairobi, Kenya, July 20, 2022.

EFF appeals to Kenyans to protect their democracy

18 August 2022, 7:18 AM
Ghana's cedi currency has continued its steep decline since the July monetary policy meeting, losing more than 6% against the dollar on Wednesday alone, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Ghana delivers biggest rate hike ever at emergency meeting

18 August 2022, 4:44 AM
Electric wires are pictured in Ojuelegba district in Nigeria's commercial capital Lagos, Nigeria June 18, 2018.

Nigeria electricity workers suspend strike that caused blackout

17 August 2022, 11:22 PM
Next Post
All the parties that brought Nqaba Bhanga to power with the exception of the Patriotic Alliance are part of the Mayoral Committee.

DA's Nqaba Bhanga elected as Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds
  • Home Affairs tightens rules on passport application to curb corruption
  • 14-year-old Eastern Cape learner facing arm amputation after allegedly taking COVID-19 vaccine
  • Home Affairs clamps down on passport fraud and introduces transit visas
  • Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo directed to terminate appointment of more than 400 workers
  • Pick n Pay launches new supermarket brand
  • Elon Musk says he is buying Manchester United
  • Public has two weeks to make comments on proposed changes to pension funds

LATEST

  • South Africa

LIVE | Media briefing on AmaZulu King succession issue


South African currency
  • Business

Number of properties in Tshwane and Johannesburg municipal debts exceed their value


Delegates at the SADC Summit in DRC
  • Africa

President Ramaphosa says SADC meeting in DRC was successful


A soccer ball inside a goal net
  • Sport

Chiefs eager to catch up with early pacesetters before it’s too late


FILE PHOTO: Angola's President Jose Eduardo dos Santos applauds as he attends the inauguration of the new Luanda Bay Marginal in the capital Luanda August 28, 2012.
  • Africa

Spain allows Angolan ex-leader’s body to be repatriated after ruling out foul play


The tournaments official logo seen on a wall, 31 March, 2022
  • Sport

FIFA sells 2.45 million tickets for Qatar World Cup


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous SA’s first batch of COVID-19 immunisations expected in second quarter of 2021
Next DA’s Nqaba Bhanga elected as Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Mayor