Zambia urges AU to strengthen conflict prevention

By NATION REPORTER

ZAMBIA has called for increased investment in conflict prevention measures, including early warning and response systems, preventive diplomacy, mediation, peacebuilding and peace support operations.

The call was made during the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU) on strengthening mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution in Africa, held in Luanda, Angola.

In a statement, the AU Peace Fund has so far disbursed about US$31 million towards peace and security interventions across the continent.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Zambia to Angola Dr Elias Munshya delivered Zambia’s statement on behalf of President Hakainde Hichilema and the Government.

Dr Munshya said conflict prevention should remain at the centre of Africa’s peace and security agenda.

“Preventing conflict before it begins is more effective, more humane and less costly than rebuilding communities and nations after they have suffered the consequences of instability,” he said.

He said greater attention should be given to mechanisms capable of identifying and addressing emerging conflicts before they escalate into crises.

Dr Munshya also welcomed the implementation of the African Union Peace Fund Mobilisation Strategy for 2025 to 2026, saying the initiative represented progress towards greater African ownership of peace and security priorities.

He said international and regional partnerships remained important to Africa’s peace and security efforts but should support rather than replace the responsibility of African countries.

“International and regional partnerships remain valuable and welcome, but such partnerships must complement, and not replace the responsibility that African Member States carry for the peace and security of the continent,” he said.

Dr Munshya said Zambia remained committed to multilateralism and the peaceful settlement of disputes through established regional and international frameworks.

“Zambia remains committed to multilateralism, preventive diplomacy, peaceful resolution of disputes and collective security under the framework of the African Union and the United Nations Charter,” he said.

The meeting in Luanda brought together African Union representatives to consider ways of strengthening existing mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts on the continent.