Rabat – In a significant step towards fostering peace, security, and development across the African continent, the African Union’s Peace and Security Council has issued a resounding call for the implementation of the Tangier Declaration.
This declaration, which is aimed at deepening the interconnection between peace, security, and development in Africa, received renewed attention during the ministerial held on July 21 in Addis Ababa meeting on “societal responses in the face of security challenges in Africa.”
In its call to action, the Peace and Security Council specifically urged the African Union Commission and its partners to take concrete steps towards realizing the objectives outlined in the Tangier Declaration.
This landmark declaration was initially formulated during the First Strategic Conference of the African Union under the theme “Strengthening the link between peace, security, and development in Africa.” It was part of Resolution 842 adopted during the thirty-sixth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
One significant avenue for this implementation lies in the coordination and efforts of the Office of the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security. The Council has emphasized the importance of this office in incorporating the conclusions drawn from the ministerial meeting on “Intersecting Challenges of Climate Change and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Africa.”
Hosted by the Kingdom of Morocco in Addis Ababa, the meeting brought to the forefront the critical role women play in addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change and security concerns in the continent.
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The Council’s statement underscored the multifaceted threats that Africa faces today, encompassing issues such as climate change, armed conflicts, and natural disasters.
In this context, the Council expressed its firm condemnation of terrorist attacks targeting communities as well as defense and security forces. Stressing the significance of safeguarding lives, property, and livelihoods, the Council emphasized the importance of building resilience against the detrimental effects of these multifaceted crises that continue to impact communities across the continent.
Furthermore, the Peace and Security Council highlighted the urgent need for concerted efforts to combat various threats to peace, security, stability, and development in Africa. This includes addressing challenges related to extremism, terrorism, armed conflicts, and security concerns arising from climate change. Moreover, the Council emphasized the growing concern around hate speech, which has shown a correlation with crimes and has far-reaching consequences for the overall well-being of the continent’s population.
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A notable aspect of the Council’s call to action is its emphasis on comprehensive strategies that address both the root causes of conflicts and the broader security threats. This integrated approach recognizes the intrinsic connection between socio-economic development and sustaining peace and security in the region.
The Council’s call for collaboration among the African Union Commission, partners, and other stakeholders underlines the collective endeavor to overcome the multifaceted challenges that lie ahead and to build a more resilient and interconnected continent.
