AU Commissioner Stresses Needs for More Innovative, Sustainable Conflict Resolution on Continent

Addis Ababa November 20/2024 (ENA) AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye emphasized the need for a more innovative and sustainable approach to conflict resolution in the continent.

The Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission is commemorating the 4th African Union Awareness Week on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) from 18 to 24 November 2024 at the AUC Headquarters in Addis Ababa. 

The weeklong commemoration has continued to capture an increasing attention and engagement garnered from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities /Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), AU Partners and civil society across Africa.

The theme for the 4th PCRD Awareness Week, “Charting the Path Forward: Collaborative Strategies for Effective PCRD Policy Implementation,” underscored the importance of a unified and strategic approach in advancing post-conflict reconstruction and development.

AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye briefed media today on the conflict zones and the efforts being made by the African Union Commission to find peaceful resolution of the conflicts.

He highlighted building and supporting public democratic institutions that respond to the needs of Africans. 

The Commissioner noted "we are witnessing awareness week on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development simply by Advancing and Sustaining peace building on the continent."

Noting the current recent development in Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, Somalia,  Mozambique, Chad Basin to Sahel region, he said, "...we have to deal with this crisis and conflict in a more sustainable and innovative way."  

“As we go into the strategic planning for the African Union Commission, we are looking at how we better manage and prevent conflict while at the same time looking specifically at building strong institutions for durable democracy and effective governance on our continent,” he added.

We have invested more in building peace at all levels, the commissioner elaborated.

“We have just started the implementation of the newly revised African Union policy on post conflict reconstruction and development.  We want to see more of peace building and work. We want to share African experiences and expertise,” the commissioner indicated. 

The post-conflict, reconstruction and development are very essential to many aspects, he said, adding we have added three new pillars to the policy dealing with youth inclusion, environmental sustainability and child protection.

On other hand, he added that we continuously work in our department on promoting democracy, observing elections this year, who we have in the record of almost 15 elections held, of which 14 have so far been observed. According to him, most of the elections have been peaceful this year.

However, he noted that while democracy is being strengthened, there is also a concerning resurgence of military rule in certain regions, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and action.

The PCRD Awareness Week was adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in 2021, and has gained significant recognition and prominence, marking its fourth consecutive year as an official event of the African Union.