The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) chairperson who is also South Africa’s President, Cyril Ramaphosa says the continent needs to address the root causes of conflict in societies through a multifaceted approach.
He says conflict resolution approaches must see to it that there is improved governance, entrenched democratic norms, respect for human rights and the political will to capacitate in institutions.
President Ramaphosa who is currently addressing the AU- 13th and 14th virtual Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the continent needs to implement the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa.
“We need to address the root causes of conflict in our societies through a multifaceted approach that will require improved governance, entrenched democratic norms, respect for human rights and the political will to capacitate our institutions.
“We need to reaffirm our commitment to the full and successful implementation of the AU Master Roadmap of Practical Steps to Silence the Guns in Africa,” says Ramaphosa.
The 13th and 14th Extraordinary Sessions of the Assembly of the Heads of State meeting is running for two days and started yesterday December 5th, ending today the 6th of December 2020.
The Extra-ordinary Sessions also discussed the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area -AfCFTA- and the mechanism developed to implement the Silencing of Guns in Africa.
President Edgar Lungu called for the acceleration of the development of modern border infrastructure and port facilities to support the continent’s transition to a Free Trade Area from January 1, 2021.
The Head of State said expediting the implementation of the continental infrastructure programme is necessary for the successful implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area. (ACFTA).
“As we proceed with opening of our borders, let us be mindful of the need to ensure that necessary accompanying facilities and procedures are in place to facilitate smooth trade amongst member states,” said President Lungu
President Lungu said this during the 13th Session of the African Union Extra Ordinary Virtual Summit on the operationalization of the ACFTA.
In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Christopher Yaluma, President Lungu said Zambia has already shown commitment to continental trade and integration agenda by giving cabinet approval for ratification of the CFTA agreement and was now awaiting parliamentary ratification.
President Lungu said while the continent starts trading as a free trade area on January 1, 2021, there is need to ensure that the Free Trade Area does not disadvantage any country.
“Zambia will support all efforts aimed at ensuring that the Africa Continental Free Trade Area benefits all participating African Union Member States and that no single country is disadvantaged as a result of implementing the trade liberalization reforms,” said President Lungu.