Arms Imports in Sub-Saharan Africa: Predicting Conflict Involvement

On transboundary movements, which are perceived as threats and often spark ineffective attempts to close borders, she said: “You cannot contain a historical reality that goes beyond the borders.” Instead, integration needs to be accelerated, through the African Continental Free Trade Area, among other measures. She went on to highlight the impact of colonialism on the continent’s current governance shortcomings, noting that it led to the formation of three geographies: the administrative territory of a country, determined by its borders one reflecting pre-existing sociocultural groups, which transcends the boundaries of one country and another reflecting the actual presence of the State, which tended to be concentrated in a few urban centres.

She emphasized the importance of addressing the internal and external root causes of conflicts in Africa beyond the traditional response, which only tackled their symptoms, adding that only development would create the capacities that help African countries overcome the peace and security challenges they face, which have deep historical roots. Highlighting the links between durable peace, inclusive development, security and stability in the African continent, speakers in the Security Council today emphasized the need for greater international cooperation and support for “African solutions to African problems”, during a debate on the impact of development policies in implementing the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns” initiative, one of the signature events of Mozambique’s presidency.Ĭristina Duarte, Special Adviser on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, said that, unfortunately, the African perspective has been insufficiently incorporated in global discussions on peace and security on the continent. Speakers Highlight Link between Durable Peace, Inclusive Development Policies

Arms Imports in Sub-Saharan Africa: Predicting Conflict Involvement