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OPENING REMARKS OF HER EXCELLENCY, MRS. FATIMA HARAM ACYL
COMMISSIONER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY
AT THE CHINA-AFRICA
POVERTY REDUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
CONFERENCE
18 NOVEMBER, 2014

H.E Dr. Mulatu Teshome, President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
H.E Mr. Si Shujie, Vice Minister of the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development (LGOP), People’s Republic of. China
H.E Mr. Ahmed Abitew, Minister of Industry, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
H.E Mr Carlos Lopes, UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary, ECA
H.E Mr. Eugene Owusu, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Ethiopia
H.E Mr. Xie Xiaoyan, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Ethiopia
Permanent Representatives of AU Member States
Representatives of Regional Economic Communities

Mr. President, Honourable Ministers, Dear Guests and co-Organizers from China, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA, I have the honour and pleasure to welcome you all to the Africa-China Poverty Reduction and Development Conference, which presents yet another occasion to celebrate the fruitful partnership between Africa and China. The Theme of our two days' discussion, Industrial Development: Cross-Perspectives from China and Africa, is in line with both the Program for Strengthening Cooperation on Poverty Reduction between the People’s Republic of China and the African Union signed by His Excellencies Mr. LI KEQIANG, Premier of the State Council of China and Dr. Nkosazana DLAMINI-ZUMA, Chairperson of the African Union Commission on 5th May 2014 in Addis Ababa, as well as the Outcomes of the Fifth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2013-2015).

Allow me to seize the opportunity to thank the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China (IPRCC), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), for co-organizing this reflection in collaboration with the Commission, on how to work together to reduce poverty in our respective countries and in the world in general.

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is recognized and acknowledged that no country has been able to reach an acceptable level of socio-economic development without Industrialization. We need only to look at other regions of the world to see how industrialization can significantly contribute to the growth, development and better livelihoods of millions of people. Indeed, as countries industrialize, higher-income industrial jobs are created. China was once at a much lower level of development than Africa today. However, through hard work, sacrifices and pro-industrialization policies, it is now the second largest economy in the world behind the United States. The success of China is quite inspiring, and we Africans are learning from that experience and intend to take more advantage of our privileged partnership with China to progress.

Trade between Africa and China has been growing rapidly, especially in recent years. In 2010, total trade between Africa and China exceeded $130 billion, and by 2013, it topped $210 billion, making China, Africa's biggest trading partner, compared to Africa’s trade with EU at US$ 137 billion and with the US at US$ 96 billion, although the bulk of the trade is still resource commodities. China’s and Africa’s economies are interdependent. As China grows economically, there is greater demand for Africa’s resources and for cooperation in technology and innovation. Population-wise, the demographic dividend of Africa in the coming years can be realised while the population elsewhere is ageing. From 2000 to 2012, China’s imports from Africa grew from 2.47% to 6.23% and exports rose from 2.02% to 4.16%. For Africa, exports to China grew from 3.76% to 18.07% and imports rose from 3.88 % to 14.11%. In addition, trade is diversifying as well in the sectors of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, wholesale and retail, building industry, leasing and business services, finance, scientific research, technology services and geological prospecting, among others. Nowadays, tourism between Africa and China is growing both ways, without mentioning infrastructure development including the AU Headquarters, the tallest structure in Addis Ababa.

Africa-China relations have been deepening politically as well. In 2000, the cooperation between Africa and China was institutionalized through the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This instrument of collaboration has deeply contributed to strengthening the strategic partnership between Africa and China. After FOCAC in 2000, FOCAC II in 2003, FOCAC III in 2006, and FOCAC IV in 2009, we are now implementing FOCAC V, finalized in 2012. In the 2013-2015 Action Plan, it is stated that through cooperation in Poverty Reduction Strategies, China will continue to share experience in Poverty Reduction with African countries through Seminars and Training programmes in order to make poverty alleviation efforts more effective and raise capacity for common development. Another promising area of cooperation worth mentioning is the BRICS arrangement. All BRICS countries are members of the WTO and Africa counts on their collective action to bring the negotiations of the Doha Development Agenda to a fair and balanced conclusion that delivers on development issues and to support Africa’s position in those negotiations.

In the past three decades, China has demonstrated its ability to define its own pathway towards development by breaking economic record growth rates through rigorous development planning. China is today the second largest recipient of the world investment capital. Africa is also determined to take its development in its own hands while continuing to benefit from the experience of others. Hence, Agenda 2063 defines the new aspiration for Africa’s socio-economic transformation. During this Africa-China conference , there will be an opportunity to discuss how we can work together to realize this aspiration.

On the international arena, Africa is participating actively in the definition of the new international agenda for poverty alleviation: the post-2015 Agenda. We acknowledge that although the Millennium Development Goals have shown some good results in some countries and in some areas, the absence of Industrialization as a critical component of the MDGs was clearly a fundamental omission. Therefore the Common African Position addresses the unfinished business of the MDGs by focusing, among others, on the area of diversification, industrialization and value addition through the strengthening of productive capacity, transformation of primary commodities and the development of value chains across sectors. Investing in improving competitiveness through recognized standards, quality of products and reduction of costs of production is essential as well as human resources and institutional development. Those are some areas for Africa-China cooperation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

Today and tomorrow we will have the opportunity to comment on presentations from eminent researchers. We will interact with experts from Member States on progress achieved, on outstanding challenges and above all on the way forward. I invite you to focus on sharing of experience and developing a road map for deeper cooperation.

Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I conclude, let me borrow from Chinese words of wisdom:
If you want one year of prosperity,
grow grain,
If you want ten years of prosperity,
grow trees,
If you want one hundred years of prosperity,
grow people.

I deeply believe that the quality of human capital is one of the key ingredients to achieving African economic transformation. By sharing its experience, China through the IPRCC capacity development cooperation programme can contribute effectively to Africa’s emergence.

I wish you a fruitful meeting.
Thank You

SPEECH BY HER EXCELLENCY TUMUSIIME RHODA PEACE, COMMISSIONER FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE, AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION DURING THE HIGH-LEVEL MEETING ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY FOR AFRICA (LiDeSA)

14TH NOVEMBER 2014, AT THE INTER-AFRICAN BUREAU FOR ANIMAL RESOUYRCES(AU-IBAR), NAIROBI, KENYA

• Thank you Master of Ceremonies, Dr Henry Wamwayi, Policy Officer for Trade and Marketing
• The Honourable Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Republic of Kenya;
• Let me recognise in a special way Your Excellency, Hon. KobenanKoussi ADJOUMANI, Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, and Chairperson of the Bureau of the 9th Conference of African Ministers responsible for Animal Resources;
• Honourable Members of the Bureau of the 9th Conference of Ministers;
• Honourable Ministers responsible for Livestock from AU Member States;
• Permanent Secretaries responsible for Livestock in AU Member States who are here;
• Representatives of the Regional Economic Communities;
• Dr.Abebe Haile Gabriel, Director for Rural Economy and Agriculture,African Unin Commission
• Headsof AU Specialised Technical Offices;
• Dr. Baba Soumare, Representative o fthe Director of the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), as Prof Ahmed El-Sawalhy is indisposed;
• Members of Staff of theAfrican Union Commission;
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
I welcome you and bring you warm greetings and best wishes from, H.E Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
It is, indeed, a pleasure to welcome you to this High-level Meeting to consider the work done so far on the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA) and provide guidance.

The formulation of the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa conforms tothedecision of the AU Executive Council during its 24th Ordinary Session (EX.CL/Dec.792(XXIV). This decision was premised on the recommendation by yourselves at the 9th Conference of Ministers responsible for Animal Resources in Africa which as you would recall was held in Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire in April 2013.

Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen;
I am pleased to report that the African Union Commission’s Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture, through the Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources has effectively coordinated efforts and also provided leadership in the development of the Livestock Development Strategy in Africa .Before the African Union Commission reports back to the AU Policy Organs, we would like to submit the draft strategy for your consideration as this is your sector. As you are aware, the development of this Strategy is taking place at a time when the continent is developing the strategy and roadmap for the transformation of the agricultural sectorfor accelerated growth, shared prosperity and improved livelihoods.
You would recall that the Heads of State and Government of the African Union during their 23rd Ordinary Session in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea which took place from 26thto 27th June 2014 on the Theme of the AU Year of Agriculture and Food Security: “Transforming Africa’s Agriculture for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods through Harnessing Opportunities for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development, also marking the 10th Anniversary of the CAADP” adopted the declaration on Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Transformation for Shared Prosperity and Improved Livelihoods,which we refer to as the Malabo Declaration (Doc.Assembly/AU/2/XXIII)
I would like to request that the Malabo Declaration be printed and circulatedto Honourable Ministers.

The Declaration contains Africa’s commitment up to the highest level :
1. to uphold the Principles and Values of the CAADP Process; budgetary allocations of at least 10% and sectoral growth of 6%
2. to enhance Investment Finance in Agriculture; attracting resources from both the private and public sectors;
3. to end Hunger in Africa by 2025; calling for country-level interventions;
4. to halve Poverty by the year 2025, through InclusiveGrowth and Transformation; to ensure that poverty levels if not eradicated are reduced by half from where we are;
5. to boost Intra-African Trade in Agricultural commoditiesand services; considering that the continent trades more with the rest of the world than within itself, our leaders placed emphasis on accelerating integration and boosting intra-Afican trade;
6. to enhance Resilience of Livelihoods and ProductionSystems to Climate Variability and other related risks affecting water, pasture and settlements;
7. to apply Mutual Accountability to Actions and Results; we have to take stock of where we are; know who is doing what; identify what has been put in place; what resources have been invested and actions undertaken so that after two years we report to Heads of State and Government as to where their respective countries are towards meeting the commitments they undertook.

In furtherance of the above targets, the AU Assembly also called for the strengthening of the African Union Commission to support delivery on thesecommitments; and also requested you, us, other Pan African Institutions and development partners todevelop an implementation strategy and roadmap to facilitate thetranslation of the 2025 vision and goals of Africa’s Accelerated AgriculturalGrowth and Transformation into concrete results and impacts.

Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Given Africa’s potential and its increasing needs and those of the global community as well as the associated opportunities, our political leadership has taken bold steps to strengthen the development of Agriculture as a vehicle for sustainable development and prosperity in Africa. What remains is the action of translating the decisions of the Heads of State and Government into visible results, outcomes and impacts for the benefit of the citizens of Africa.

Some countries have already embarked on translating these commitments into action as some countrie shave moved to CAADP Phase II.

The Livestock Development Strategy in Africa (LIDESA) falls perfectly within the context of the Strategy for Accelerated African Agricultural Growth and Transformation. Indeed, livestock is a major component of Africa’s agricultural sector.It also plays a significant role in the social and economic spheres of life of most African households, communities and nations. As a matter of fact, over half (53%) of all African households keep livestock and up to 72% of the rural poor depend on the sector to some extent. Additionally, livestock alone accounts for over half of the agricultural capital stock in Africa and on average accounts for 30-35% of the agricultural GDP; with some countries recording up to 80% contribution. Therefore, the realization of Agriculture-led growth will need to harness the potential and opportunities provided by the continent’s vast livestock resources base.

Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen

It is clear that Africa’s livestock diversity is growing even further.However, several analyses of trends in the demand and supply of livestock products in Africa indicate that by 2030 to 2050 the demand will increase two to eight fold, due to various factors, particularly the increase in the human population in urban areas and increased incomes. The alternative for meeting the increased demand would be to import the huge deficits that would result. Consequently, this would increase livestock import bills for the countries, increase prices of livestock products, pose a potential food insecurity, food safety and nutritional crisis, affect the growth of local industries, deny millions of youth employment opportunities, reduce income for the local people and lead to loss of revenues from levies and taxes.

Africa imports an equivalent of US$40 billion annually in food items. Meat importation is high and yet Africa has a high potential for producing meat.

To meet the projected increase in demand for livestock products, the sector will need to grow by 5-6% annually from the current rate of about 2.4%. However, the sector faces a variety of challengeses that hinder it from meeting the rising demand for livestock and livestock products and to significantly contribute to economic growth. Past investments, both from the private and public sectors, in the development of the sector have been largely project-based and disjointed and with little regard to long-term institutional development for sustainability. Moreover, private sector investments in the livestock sector, which should drive accelerated and equitable growth, stimulate growth in other sectors and galvanize widespread socio-economic transformation, have been subdued by the lack of supportive policy environment, the lack of appropriate infrastructure and the non- availability of reliable supplies of essential services and inputs, thereby making the sector uncompetitive and unattractive to investors. With appropriate investment, the Livestock Sector stands to not only contribute significantly to stimulating and realizing accelerated economic growth but to be a key driver for stimulating growth in other sectors, and for attaining development goals of food and nutrition security, eliminating hunger, improving livelihoods and engendering resilience.

The sector is also facing increasing competition for land and water resources from other sectors, so is the need for human settlement and challenges from variability in climatic and weather patterns.

The majority of livestock keepers in Africa only keep small numbers of animals for livelihood (food, insurance, manure, draft power) rather than business purposes. The focus on subsistence and disconnect of small scale livestock producers from markets contributes to theunderperformance of the sector.

Thus, though high potential exists to make livestock count in Africa’s social and economic development, the means to harness it have not been comensurate thus far.

I am convinced that there is still scope to improve production, productivity and further diversify the continent’s livestock biodiversity to meet the full scale of needs, food preferences, food and nutritional security of our people. This requires a clear strategy that ensures coherence of objectives at the national, regional and continental levels and the implementation of synergistic actions to achieve the objectives.

Therefore, the decision of the AU Executive Council for the AUCto coordinate theformulationof a 20 year continent-wide strategy to reform and accelerate the livestock sector’s development could not have come at a better time. And, we are encouraged by the cooperation and support received from AU Member States, that is, yourselves, and RECs in taking forward this important task.

Indeed, the need for the transformation of the livestock sector is overwhelming and it is my expectation that LiDeSAwill provide a practical road map for the transformation of the Livestock Sector in Africa.

I believe the Livestock Strategy gives us an opportunity to make livestock count in the Africa Agriculture Transformation Agenda and, as I indicated earlier, this high-level meeting has been called to table the draft LiDeSA strategy for discussion and guidance.
Your contributions will augment the work done so far and give our technical teams an indication of what more needs to be done.
We count on your support to take this process to the next level and ensure completeness of the product to be presented for consideration and adoption by the AU Policy Organs in January 2015.
I thank you and wish you fruitful deliberations.

REMARKS BY HER EXCELLENCY TUMUSIIME RHODA PEACE COMMISSIONER FOR RURAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE AT THE CLOSING SESSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION PRIVATE SECTOR FORUM, 7 NOVEMBER 2014 KIGALI, RWANDA

Mr. Permanent Secretary of Agriculture, Republic of Rwanda
Mr. Shimeles, CEO Nutrifoods, Ethiopia
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to be at the official closing of the Second Meeting of the African Union Private Sector Forum that has run from 5th to 7th November 2014 here in Kigali, Rwanda and we are happy that the African Union Commission Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture and the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency have co-oganised it and more importantly we are grateful that Rwanda has continued to be a gracious host. Can you clap for them? The warm welcome, legendary hospitality and excellent facilities are highly appreciated by all of us.
It is encouraging that despite heavy schedules , the Honourable Ministers were able to not only open the meeting but also toparticipate in a number of sessions where their contribution and political direction has been commended. We also thank the Rwandan government and private sector officials that participated actively in this Forum.
The distinguished participants representing a cross section of private sector organisations from across Africa have demonstrated commitment to cooperating with government and enhancing collaboration among yourselves to take forward shared objectives. This is highly commended.
When the Honourable Minister and I addressed the official opening session and set the pace for the deliberations we expected and indeed have achieved the premising of the deliberations on the process of translating the AU Assembly Declaration of Malabo on Accelerated African Agricultural Growth and Transformation where the private sector is expected to complement the public sector especially in terms of finance and investment for agriculture. We need a paradigm shift. We need to find a brand for agriculture if we are to attract the youth, the investors.
I am glad that the Forum has been able to coalesce the collective understanding of the role of the private sector in harnessing the opportunities and addressing the challenges to unleash Africa’s potential throughout the agricultural value chain. I also note that the Forum further provided an avenue for setting up a platform that brings together private sector operators engaged in agriculture, agroprocessing and agribusiness to better articulate and champion their interests within the framework of sustaining the momentum of implementing the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP). This architecture is also helpful in deepening your engagement on the continent and also in interfacing effectively with your counterparts from the rest of the world, but also with your governments.
It was extremely interesting to see how the deliberations were preceded by panel discussions involving government and private sector leaders, in the spirit of the public-private partnership, to provide broad strategic as well as pragmatic outlooks. It was great that the deliberations were structured in break-out sessions focusing on specific thematic areas punctuated by plenary sessions for reporting and discussion of outcomes of working group discussions and I trust that this helped to build a common understanding and approach. And I hope you have appreciated and benefited from this approach. I am glad that our facilitator Ed Reggae has been able to keep you focused. Let’s clap for him.
What I also found enriching was the fact that experiences were shared from various private sector stakeholders and representatives of related government institutions from different African countries and regions, on opportunities for tapping, success stories for scaling up and replicating and challenges for addressing. I am comforted that pertinent recommendations were made.
As I said at the beginning, the outcomes of this Forum will also feed into the Strategy and Roadmap whose preparation is being led by the AUC-DREA and NPCA and is nearing completion in readiness for submission and adoption by the AU Policy Organs in January 2015 as per the decision of the AU Assembly in June 2014 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. I am sure that as we roll out this strategy for the next decade, we will be able to see the private sector as a real engine of growth and contributing to Africa Agenda 2063 so that Africa’s aspirations are attained for an integrated and prosperous continent that will be a dynamic force in the global arena. By the way, Africa Agenda 2063 has been on the AU website www.au.int and I hpope you contributed your ideas on the Africa We Want in the next 50 years. The AU Heads of State and Government will be considering and adopting it come January 2015.
At this juncture, let me appreciate you the participants for honouring my invitation, for your active participation and immense contribution during the deliberations at this forum. I also appreciate the management and staff of the Gorilla Golf Hotel as well as interpreters and ushers and all service providers for making our stay enjoyable and our work productive.
I would like to wish you success in your pursuits and I look forward to enhanced public private partnership as well as private – to – private collaboration in furtherance of our common agenda for a food and nutrition secure and poverty free Africa. The late Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Meles Zenawi used to say he wanted to see Ethiopians getting three meals a day. For me if Africa can have three meals a day, we will have gone a long way towards making Africa a force to reckon with on the global scene.
Thank you.

WELCOME STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. AISHA L. ABDULLAHI
COMMISSIONER FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS
AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION (AU)AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 2014 HIGH LEVEL DIALOGUE ON DEMOCRACY, HUMAN RIGHTS AND GOVERNANCE IN AFRICA

DAKAR, SENEGAL

30 OCTOBER 2014

SALUTATIONS HERE

It is my pleasure and singular honour to be with you again here in Dakar. Let me, from the outset, extend my gratitude to the people and the Government of Senegal for hosting the Third High level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance. They have hosted this dialogue forum every year since 2011 for which we are profoundly grateful. The focus of the Third High Level Dialogue is “Silencing the Guns: Strengthening Governance to Prevent, Manage and Resolve Conflicts in Africa”. This theme is inspired by the 50th Anniversary Declaration adopted by African leaders in May 2013 when the African Union kicked off the OAU/AU Golden Jubilee celebrations under the theme: Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance. Whereas the celebrations lasted for one year until May 2014, the mood of celebration and revisioning of Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance continues. The Africa Agenda 2063, which is a long-term development vision of the African continent, is a clear demonstration of continuing celebration as we envision our continent over the next fifty years. The Common African Position on the Post-2015 Development Agenda is also part of this sense of optimism for our continent as we chart a new social contract for an inclusive, equitable and participatory economic development for Africa over the next fifteen years.
In view of the agenda and development roadmap that African leaders have proposed in the medium-term and long-term through the Post-2015 Development agenda and the Africa Agenda 2063, we all agree that wars and violent conflicts constitute a major barrier for progress on our continent. It is, therefore, befitting that as part of the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration, Africa leaders unanimously agreed to end all wars and silence guns in Africa by the year 2020. This is a noble goal; it is a clarion call for mass action against violence; it is an inspiration to embrace non-violence; it is an aspiration towards a united, integrated, prosperous Africa driven by its people and representing a dynamic force in international arena. It is the quest for durable peace and sustainable democratic governance anchored on the spirit of Pan-Africanism and inspired by the Africa Agenda 2063.
Africa has surmounted numerous challenges in the past from which the continent can glean lessons as it gears up to silence guns by 2020. We have overcome slavery; we silenced colonial guns through decolonization; we survived the brutal bi-polar ideological divide in the form of the Cold War, which in Africa became a hot war; we have less inter-state wars and military coups. By all indications, Africa has made progress. In fact, even the most ardent critics of our continent have accepted this progress. It is not surprising that in 2001, the Economist perceived Africa as a hopeless continent marred by violence, death and disease. Ten years later (2011), the Economist proclaimed Africa as hopeful and rising continent. Silencing the guns and ending wars in Africa is bound to reinforce the general optimism about Africa’s development prospects over the next fifty years.
Today, I would like to focus less on the root causes of violent conflicts in Africa beyond observing that broadly three major factors account for the wars, instability and violence on our continent: (a) contestation over power; (b) contestation over resources; and (c) identity cleavages. It is evident that at the heart of our conflicts lies development failure and governance deficit. This is the case everywhere including in Somalia, Libya, Central African Republic, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. I will leave the details of this discussion to the experts in this room. I will focus more on what I consider possible policy interventions to redress this situation as we all strive towards a conflict-free, gun-free, peaceful and democratic Africa.I propose to put forward ten (10) proposals in this regard.
First, there is need to build the institutional and administrative capacity of the state in African countries, so that the state has the requisite authority and leaves less room for rebellions, such as in the DRC and Central African Republic.Effective state capacity is also related to the ability of the government to deliver services to its people. Effective service delivery, combined with decentralization and local democracy will go a long way in silencing guns.
Second, it is imperative that Africa’s socio-cultural diversity is considered a continental resource for greater unity and integration premised upon Pan-Africanism and Africa Renaissance, rather than a curse. It is evident that Africa’s diversity does not necessarily translate into adversity per se. The main problem is the politicization of diversity for political ends as we are witnessing in both Central African Republic and South Sudan. Mismanagement of diversity has been more costly during electoral contests where elections have ignited identity-based violence as witnessed in Kenya in 2007/08. Addressing this problem calls for a greater culture of tolerance and constructive management of diversity. It also calls for entrenchment of the practice of democratic, credible and transparent elections across the continent.
Third,in silencing the guns, Africa still needs to do much more in the area of expanding the frontiers of a human rights culture. Human rights, especially the rights of women and girls must be protected and promoted. It is largely deficiencies in embracing a culture of human rights that has led to some of the tragic cases of mass atrocities and genocide as we witnessed in Rwanda in 1994. Silencing guns in Africa entails committing to eradicating conditions that lead to genocide, such as impunity, among others. The transformation of the OAU to the AU has brought about a leap forward from the old doctrine of non-interference in the internal affairs of member states to the new doctrine of non-indifference to human rights violations, crimes against humanity and mass atrocities within member states. This is a positive step towards deeper integration in Africa within the framework of the African Economic Community premised on the notion of pooled sovereignty.
Fourth, ending wars and silencing guns in Africa is not the sole responsibility of African governments. It is equally the responsibility of all non-state actors including civil society organisations, the private sector, the faith-based organisations, the academic community, the women movement, the youth movement, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and the international community. It is imperative that all these actors join hands in our quest for peace, democracy and development on our continent. It is encouraging that we already have in place continental mechanisms such the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) which aim to strengthen governance in Africa for peace and development bringing together these actors (both state and non-state).
Fifth, mismanagement of Africa’s natural resources has resulted in massive corruption that has left the African economy bleeding as clearly demonstrated by the Thabo Mbeki Panel Report and the Kofi Annan Africa Progress Report on illicit resource outflows and exploitation of Africa’s natural resources respectively.
Sixth, in our efforts to silence the guns, policy interventions will need to address the specific circumstances and situations of women and the youth. These are not only two of the most marginalized social groups on our continent, but they are also the largest sections of our populations. It is imperative that women empowerment and youth empowerment constitute the broader package for silencing guns.
Seventh, demilitarization of African politics is a crucial step in silencing guns. Part of our problem is the politiciztion of the security establishment and securitization of politics. This creates a potent mix where the political elite has a tight grip over the military and the military tends to cross boundaries into politics either covertly or overtly as we are witnessing in the Kingdom of Lesotho today. We need professional security establishments answerable and accountable not to political barons, but to parliament.
Eight, African Union States have already managed to do the difficult part towards silencing the guns. They have developed a robust normative framework in this regard. All that remains now to effectively implement this rich Shared Values Agenda of our Union. The AU Constitutive Act is the main treaty anchoring specific others including the 2003 Protocol Establishing the Peace and Security Council and the 2007 African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. Thus, the gap between norm-setting and norm implementation at national level remains a challenge.
Nine, violent conflicts on our continent have also led to massive forced displacement of our people in the form of internally displaced people, refugees, stateless people or irregular migrants especially across the high seas to Europe. We are dealing with massive displacement and refugee populations in most conflict zones in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel region, the Great lakes region, Central Africa region and parts of North Africa especially Libya. The November issue of the NewAfrican Magazine reports that 43 000 young Africans have died since the year 2000 trying to cross high seas to seek perceived better opportunities in Europe. While some of these are truly economic migrants, others are political refugees fleeing violence in their own countries. These are some of the costs of war in Africa.
Ten, African states and governments, working closely with their citizens must prioritise establishment and effective functioning of national infrastructures for peace which allow early detection, prevention, management and resolution of violent conflicts, at all levels of the nation-state, drawing lessons of experience from some best practices in Ghana, South Africa and Kenya for instance. These national peace architectures are essential if Africa is to play a key role transforming its violent conflicts into durable peace and sustainable democracy. This is where Africa-specific methodologies and culturally embedded strategies for transitional justice and conflict transformation, such as the Gacaca courts in Rwanda, the Ubuntu system in South Africa and Mato-put in Northern Uganda become extremely useful and these should be strengthened and reinforced.
As I conclude my remarks, allow me to also express a special word of appreciation to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for their unwavering support to this Dialogue and its preparatory processes. Also, I want to extend our warm appreciation to the Government of Germany which has significantly supported these processes through GIZ and the Institute of Peace and Security Studies. Of equal mention are International IDEA, Africa Governance Institute and Infonet Africa, among others, who have remained committed partners in our campaign to silence guns and end wars through strengthening democratic and participatory governance in Africa.

As a final word of welcome, allow me also to remind you that this event is accessible to a wider audience through live streams and you may well also want to follow discussion throughout the event through twitter and Facebook accounts. Yes indeed, we have to keep up with the realities of globalization and the opportunities it offers for wider participation.

I thank you for your attention.