Security Councils of UN, AU Discussing Situation in Somalia, South Sudan, Lake Chad

The United Nations Security Council and Peace and Security Council of the African Union are discussing on how to bring lasting peace in Somalia, South Sudan, and Lake Chad Basin.

While opening the joint consultative meeting held in Addis Ababa, UNSC President Ambassador Tekeda Alemu of Ethiopia emphasized the importance to strengthen the cooperation and joint work between UNSC and AUPSC.

Noting that the two councils are key organs for the promotion and maintenance of international and regional peace and security, he urged the need to forge the cooperation.

The joint consultative meeting has served as a platform for the councils to address common peace and security threats facing Africa and the international community.

 

In addition to the consultative forum, Tekeda said “The two councils should explore measures that could further strengthen their cooperation and working relations including field visits and the harmonization of their respective programs of works”.

UN Representative to the AU, Haile Menkerios said the UN Secretariat and the AU Commission are focused more than ever on early and sustained engagement in conflict prevention management and resolution.

Regarding peacekeeping mission in Somalia, Haile said AMISOM and its troop and police contributing countries have played crucial role in advancing peace and security over the last ten years.

“Without their effort and sacrifices Somalia would not be where it is today,” he added.

According to Haile, predictable, adequate and sustainable funding arrangements for AMISOM need to be addressed as a priority.

Speaking on situation in South Sudan, the Representative said, as the signatories to the August to 2015 agreement have not implemented it in earnest, the intervening years have led to even deeper divisions among the leaders of South Sudan.

“Massive displacement, pervasive food insecurity, and ongoing human rights abuse are sowing the seeds of conflict and instability for years to come” he said.

Noting the efforts by IGAD to bring the parties to a ceasefire agreement, Haile said “IGAD will need close support from and greater coordination between AU and UN to succeed.”

He asserted that the UN will continue to closely work with the AU, IGAD and the international community to support initiatives towards peace in South Sudan.

Regarding the situation in Lake Chad Basin, Haile recognized the troop contributing countries for the efforts and sacrifices in the fight against Boko Haram and bring the crisis to an end.

Noting that the solution for this crisis is not only military, the Representative highlighted the need to implement “the seven-pillar strategy developed by the UN to address the root causes of the situation”.

Chairperson of AUPSC, Mmamosadinyana Molefe noted that importance of partnership between the two councils recognizing that nearly 75 percent of the agenda of UNSC is on matters relating to peace and security in Africa.

Saying that this year’s consultative forum is taking place at better time, the Chairperson said “This is an exceptional window of opportunity to innovatively reflect on the best ways and means of how we can together implement the AU Master Roadmap in solving some of the conflict situations on the continent”.

The 11th joint consultative meeting that kicked off today in Addis Ababa is expected to come up with solutions for the conflict situations in Somalia, South Sudan and Lake Chad Basin.

source ena