AMISOM proves Africa is capable of resolving conflicts
Sep 15, 2011
THE 20th Century left the whole of Africa independent, which should have been a source of strength to the continent. However, crisis after crisis emerged without sparing any region. These include droughts, hunger, disease, coups and economic decay.
THE 20th Century left the whole of Africa independent, which should have been a source of strength to the continent. However, crisis after crisis emerged without sparing any region. These include droughts, hunger, disease, coups and economic decay.
The peace and security in Africa in the 1990s and part of this Century shows dramatic and violent upheavals throughout the continent. The end of the Cold War, hitherto a promise to peace; tensions between East and West over African battleground was replaced by violent internal conflicts.
Positively on the other hand, freedom was born in the hither to racist controlled South Africa and Namibia with democratically elected governments. Relative peace and stability was established in Mozambique after three decades of confrontation between warring parties.
A wave of democratic elections swept across many countries and many scholars and Western statesmen alike talked of a dawn of hope for the African people. Undoubtedly, all these were positive and significant signs toward peace, stability and development.
Political insecurity and violent conflicts became increasingly the identity of the continent, boasting of the largest refugees since World War II. Internal conflicts with deep historical roots flared in many countries.
While the rest of the world paid less and less attention to African security affairs, the continent’s institutional and organisational capacity to manage its pervasive conflicts was not developing in tandem with the growing conflicts.
Against such a backdrop, peace and peacemaking in the continent emerges as one of the critical issues of great importance in global politics.
Africa’s insecurity has been reflected by the traumatic episodes of collapsed and collapsing states.
The overflow of refugees, heightened ethnic tensions in some cases, and the resulting diplomatic conflicts, have engaged substantial resources and efforts from the relatively stable countries that share borders with states in crisis.
It is now evident that Africa cannot continue without a clear direction or clear perception of her future and of her security. The creation of the New Order, which we need, must be preceded by the elaboration of a common agenda of values and interests, which African states, jointly, agree to project and promote.
The subject of security has been at the heart of study of international relations for the past 50 years and is one of the main concerns of the African Union (AU).
The AU charter provides “The right of the Union to intervene in a member state pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect of grave circumstances such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Durable security for Africa must, as of necessity, be built upon a stable foundation of political democracy, characterised by genuine participation in the process of governance and full accountability of governments under the adjudication of an independent judiciary, as Dr Ahmed Salim Salim puts it.
Africa has to develop mechanisms for conflict resolution that will build sustainable and durable peace. This is because no one else owes us a living but ourselves. This calls for patriotism and Pan Africanism on the part of the policy makers and legislators in the continent. There must be unanimity and consistency on the question of peace in Africa irrespective of political party differences.
Chapter VIII of the United Nations, (UN) provides for regional arrangements to deal with the maintenance of international peace and security provided such arrangements are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN. It further mandates such arrangements to make every effort to pacify regional disputes before referring them to the UN Security Council, and suggests that such initiatives be taken either on the initiative of the states concerned or by reference to the Security Council. Chapter VIII also mandates the Security Council to utilise such regional arrangements for enforcement, but stipulates that no enforcement action should be taken under regional arrangements without the authorization of the Security Council.
AMISOM has proved that with the right mix of clear and visionary leadership with ideologically committed and professional military, violent conflict can be dealt with effectively. The relevant mandating organizations must prescribe an appropriate mandate so as not to turn the mission into a sitting duck, for the lawless elements to attack at will.
Defence/Army Spokesperson
The peace and security in Africa in the 1990s and part of this Century shows dramatic and violent upheavals throughout the continent. The end of the Cold War, hitherto a promise to peace; tensions between East and West over African battleground was replaced by violent internal conflicts.
Positively on the other hand, freedom was born in the hither to racist controlled South Africa and Namibia with democratically elected governments. Relative peace and stability was established in Mozambique after three decades of confrontation between warring parties.
A wave of democratic elections swept across many countries and many scholars and Western statesmen alike talked of a dawn of hope for the African people. Undoubtedly, all these were positive and significant signs toward peace, stability and development.
Political insecurity and violent conflicts became increasingly the identity of the continent, boasting of the largest refugees since World War II. Internal conflicts with deep historical roots flared in many countries.
While the rest of the world paid less and less attention to African security affairs, the continent’s institutional and organisational capacity to manage its pervasive conflicts was not developing in tandem with the growing conflicts.
Against such a backdrop, peace and peacemaking in the continent emerges as one of the critical issues of great importance in global politics.
Africa’s insecurity has been reflected by the traumatic episodes of collapsed and collapsing states.
The overflow of refugees, heightened ethnic tensions in some cases, and the resulting diplomatic conflicts, have engaged substantial resources and efforts from the relatively stable countries that share borders with states in crisis.
It is now evident that Africa cannot continue without a clear direction or clear perception of her future and of her security. The creation of the New Order, which we need, must be preceded by the elaboration of a common agenda of values and interests, which African states, jointly, agree to project and promote.
The subject of security has been at the heart of study of international relations for the past 50 years and is one of the main concerns of the African Union (AU).
The AU charter provides “The right of the Union to intervene in a member state pursuant to a decision of the Assembly in respect of grave circumstances such as war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity. Durable security for Africa must, as of necessity, be built upon a stable foundation of political democracy, characterised by genuine participation in the process of governance and full accountability of governments under the adjudication of an independent judiciary, as Dr Ahmed Salim Salim puts it.
Africa has to develop mechanisms for conflict resolution that will build sustainable and durable peace. This is because no one else owes us a living but ourselves. This calls for patriotism and Pan Africanism on the part of the policy makers and legislators in the continent. There must be unanimity and consistency on the question of peace in Africa irrespective of political party differences.
Chapter VIII of the United Nations, (UN) provides for regional arrangements to deal with the maintenance of international peace and security provided such arrangements are consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN. It further mandates such arrangements to make every effort to pacify regional disputes before referring them to the UN Security Council, and suggests that such initiatives be taken either on the initiative of the states concerned or by reference to the Security Council. Chapter VIII also mandates the Security Council to utilise such regional arrangements for enforcement, but stipulates that no enforcement action should be taken under regional arrangements without the authorization of the Security Council.
AMISOM has proved that with the right mix of clear and visionary leadership with ideologically committed and professional military, violent conflict can be dealt with effectively. The relevant mandating organizations must prescribe an appropriate mandate so as not to turn the mission into a sitting duck, for the lawless elements to attack at will.
Defence/Army Spokesperson