NAN-F-22
Pledge
Isaac Aregbesola
Addis Ababa, Jan 30, 2017 (NAN)The UN Secretary General, Antonio Gutteres has pledged to work with African Union to present concrete proposals to the Security Council on predictable, reliable and sustainable financing for its peace operations.
NAN reports that no fewer than 100,000 uniformed peacekeepers are deployed in Africa in various operations.
Peacekeepers have deployed to Somalia, the western Sudanese region of Darfur, South Sudan, and Mali, to name a few countries where civil wars and rebellions have claimed civilian lives and threatened to destabilize surrounding regions.
Guterres made the pledge Monday in Addis Ababa where several dozen African leaders are attending the 28th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa.
The UN scribe who commended AU for its efforts in conflicts and crisis intervention said that UN would support African efforts to realise its initiative to `Silence the Guns’ by 2020.
He said this would include the strengthening support for the African Peace and Security Architecture.
“You have pioneered ambitious frameworks, such as the African Peace and Security Architecture.
“You can count on the full support of the UN for all your efforts to strengthen national institutions to maintain the rule of law, ensure accountability and promote good governance
“Also to facilitate the peaceful transition of power and prevent violent extremist. We will work hand and hand with you wherever conflict or threat of conflict threatens stability and people’s wellbeing,” he said.
According to him the UN will also step up efforts to provide more systematic counter terrorism capacity building assistance needed
He pledged the support of UN to stand ready to help AU address the broader challenge of preventing violent extremism, adding that prevention goes far beyond merely focusing on conflicts.
“The best means of prevention and surest path to durable peace is inclusive and sustainable development..
“Our UN team are at your disposal to most effectively match up shared global strategies with your continental plans and vision based on the priorities of the governments and people of Africa,’’ he said
He said the UN would be ever ready to support in investing in the youth (NAN)
IAA/SH
edited by Sadiya Hamza