African leaders gathered in Johannesburg for the fourth Annual Joint Retreat of the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), focusing on the vital role governance plays in preventing conflict across the continent.
With a theme centered on governance’s influence on conflict prevention, the two-day meeting comes at a crucial time as Africa continues to experience tensions in regions such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
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The APRM, established in 2003 by the African Union (AU), aims to promote accountability, transparency, and sustainable development among its member states. This retreat serves as a platform for fostering dialogue on how governance can address the root causes of conflict and reduce the burden on affected communities.
The Heavy Toll of Conflict on Civilians
One of the most pressing issues highlighted during the retreat is the ongoing impact of conflicts on civilians. In regions where fighting continues, such as South Sudan and the DRC, millions of innocent people face the devastating consequences of violence, displacement, and limited access to essential services.
Selma Bakhta Mansouri, Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Algeria, emphasized the importance of protecting civilians in conflict zones, stating, “In too many of our regions, civilians continue to bear the heaviest burden of conflict and institutional failures.
“Whether through forced displacements, gender-based violence, or limited access to services, we must reaffirm that the protection of civilians is not the responsibility of peacekeepers alone, but it’s a central pillar of good and effective governance.”
The APRM estimates that approximately 80 million children across Africa are affected by these conflicts.
Focusing on Youth to Break the Cycle of Violence
Another key topic discussed was the role of youth in perpetuating conflict and how to divert them from violent paths. Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Uganda’s Permanent Representative, highlighted the importance of addressing both internal and external factors contributing to conflict, especially those that lure young people into violence.
“We’d like to find out how we can remove, especially the youth, from the temptation of violence,” she said. “We must focus on both internal and external causes of conflict to help create a more peaceful future.”
The role of good governance was also emphasized as an effective tool in preventing conflict. Patience Chiradza, Director of Governance and Conflict Prevention at the African Union Commission, explained that, “The partnership is now matured and smart, requiring steady steps from policy, orientation, and re-orientation to an actual accelerated implementation on the ground in AU member states.”
A Vision of Peace: ‘Silencing the Guns’ by 2030
A key focus of the retreat was the “Silencing the Guns” initiative, a bold AU goal aimed at ending conflicts across Africa by 2030. South African Minister of Public Service and Administration, Inkosi Mzamo Buthelezi, expressed optimism about the initiative’s success, stating, “Our decision has far-reaching consequences, not just for our opponents, but for the honest people on the ground.
“Leadership is about finding peace through negotiations, not through the barrel of a gun. The goal of Silencing the Guns by 2030 is very achievable.”
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