Mozambique Root Causes Tender

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 Unions Silencing the Guns initiative one of the signature events of Mozambiques presidency.Cristina 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. 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.She went on to highlight the impact of colonialism on the continents 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. 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.On the absence of the State from a service-provision perspective which creates fertile ground for terrorism and the emergence of non-State actors as is the case in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa she called for military solutions to be complemented by active development policies that help ensure an effective provision of public services across the territory. On that point she spotlighted Mozambiques Maputo Accord for Peace and National Reconciliation which combined demilitarization and reintegration with decentralization and devolution. This policy works from a peace and security perspective to fight exclusion and promote reconciliation and it is also an effective way to promote income distribution from a macroeconomic perspective she added.The success of the Maputo Accord and all that contributed to it was further detailed by Mirko Manzoni Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Mozambique who said that its signing and implementation had generated hope. Outlining reasons for the Accords success namely establishing national ownership from the outset building trust remaining flexible and ensuring a human-centred process throughout he said that while other attempts at peace had failed what worked for Mozambique this time was championing national solutions to national problems through listening and creating a culture of dialogue between the Government and RENAMOMozambique National Resistance. Putting people first pays off in peace dividends he said.As a key element of the peace initiative the disarmament demobilization and reintegration process has seen more than 4800 beneficiaries settle in communities of their choice to begin their reintegration journey he continued pointing out that such programmes should take a longer-term view rather than being seen as a technical and time-limited process. The Mozambican process tackles long-standing issues such as pensions for the demobilized and introduces innovative strategies to spur the involvement of a broad range of actors including the private sector to embed the long-term sustainability of peace.Also briefing the Council was Mohamed Ibn Chambas African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns who said that todays debate comes at a moment when Africa is faced with multiple challenges due to the continents vulnerability to global economic shocks among other factors all of which were amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic which pushed an estimated 55 million Africans into poverty in 2020 and reversed more than two decades of progress in poverty reduction on the continent. Equally alarming is the fact that 15 African States are reportedly at the risk of debt distress he added.Against that backdrop he underscored that Africa must embark on a people-centred recovery and transformation prioritizing investment in areas such as education and science technology and innovation health decent employment opportunities and gender equality and youth empowerment. Noting that abundant financial resources are required for such transformation he called for the mobilization of domestic resources with a particular emphasis on fighting illicit financial flows which deprive Africa of approximately 90 billion annually. Outlining other recommendations he underlined the importance of developing sustainable industrialization to leverage Africas agricultural and natural-resource potential creating a Made in Africa standard and promoting the African Continental Free Trade Area.