“Guns must be silenced in the continent by 2020‚” President Jacob Zuma said on Wednesday‚ but the “mechanism” through which this will be achieved is still to be established “at a time to be decided by the continent’s leadership”.
“Pockets of conflicts in the continent have potential to limit the realisation of our socio-economic development goals. It is for this reason that the (AU) African Union has prioritised peace and security‚” Zuma told guests at the Africa Day Gala Dinner in Cape Town.
“We have taken a resolution that the guns must be silenced in the continent by 2020. We want an Africa that is at peace with itself. An Africa where women and children live without fear of attacks.
“An Africa where there are no displaced people and refugees. The continent is doing something to end the conflicts. What has been of concern is the ability of the continent to respond with speed when conflict breaks out in order to protect lives.
Zuma said that the “African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises which was established in November 2013 to fulfil this goal will remain in place”‚ until it is “replaced by the African Standby Force at a time to be decided by the continent’s leadership”.
The president also spoke of matters beyond the continent – highlighting Europe – and said it would be “short-sighted to believe that migration crisis can only be managed‚ whereas it can actually be prevented”.
Zuma said: “We are thus troubled by the tragic migration crisis in Europe which is being exploited by criminal elements to commit various crimes.
“The European Union Commission has recently released a report which links increased human trafficking to the current migration challenges in the region.
“The seriousness of this matter requires our urgent collective action.
“I am certain that we all have realised that there is a need to resolve the challenges in countries where migrants come from.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Zuma: ‘Guns must be silenced in Africa by 2020’
“Pockets of conflicts in the continent have potential to limit the realisation of our socio-economic development goals. It is for this reason that the (AU) African Union has prioritised peace and security‚” Zuma told guests at the Africa Day Gala Dinner in Cape Town.
“We have taken a resolution that the guns must be silenced in the continent by 2020. We want an Africa that is at peace with itself. An Africa where women and children live without fear of attacks.
“An Africa where there are no displaced people and refugees. The continent is doing something to end the conflicts. What has been of concern is the ability of the continent to respond with speed when conflict breaks out in order to protect lives.
Zuma said that the “African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises which was established in November 2013 to fulfil this goal will remain in place”‚ until it is “replaced by the African Standby Force at a time to be decided by the continent’s leadership”.
The president also spoke of matters beyond the continent – highlighting Europe – and said it would be “short-sighted to believe that migration crisis can only be managed‚ whereas it can actually be prevented”.
Zuma said: “We are thus troubled by the tragic migration crisis in Europe which is being exploited by criminal elements to commit various crimes.
“The European Union Commission has recently released a report which links increased human trafficking to the current migration challenges in the region.
“The seriousness of this matter requires our urgent collective action.
“I am certain that we all have realised that there is a need to resolve the challenges in countries where migrants come from.” — Tiso Black Star Group Digital
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos