AU 2020: « Silencing the Guns »?

Africas major security challenge on the agenda

33rd African Union (AU) summit, which opened on Sunday in Addis Ababa, is being held under the theme « Silencing the Guns: Creating conducive conditions for Africa’s development ».

The new President, Cyril Ramaphosa stated that the focus will be on conflict resolution and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade area.

Conflicts resolution

Conflicts in South Sudan and Libya are the top national issues that the organization has failed to help resolve until now.

South Sudan has been given a deadline to form a government by February 22. Ramaphosa met separately with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar, in an effort to jumpstart mediation.

Terrorism?

The rise of djihadism terrorism in Sahel, East Africa and the deadly attacks multiplying these last few years is provoking regional and national instability. It has been difficult for the African leaders to resolve the threats that seems to be only expanding. The decisions taken until now has not proved themselves to be efficient enough.

Palestine condemned once again the Middle East plan

South African president’s compared the Plan to an apartheid regime  Bantustan type of system once imposed on the people of South Africa, qualifying it of oppressive. AU leaders rejected the plan and show their support to Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, whose country has had an observer status since 2013.

Here is an interesting debate on Al Jazeera on the topic: Can the African Union play a bigger role in tackling the continent’s security challenges?