EU Presidency Statement - Conflicts in Africa

Mr. President,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union. The acceding countries Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia and the associated countries Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey, as well as the EFTA country member of the European Economic Area, Iceland, declare that they align themselves with this statement.

Mr. President,

The EU firmly believes that the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa constitutes one of the major challenges of the international community in the dawn of the 21st century. In this regard we recognize the importance of the Report of the Secretary-General on the causes of conflict and the promotion of durable peace and sustainable development in Africa (S/1998/318).

The management of the intra-state and inter-state conflicts which still plague significant parts of the African continent, as well as assistance to African countries emerging from such conflict situations should, in our view, be among the highest priorities of the UN system.

In this connection the European Union strongly supports the action taken by the United Nations, in particular by the Security Council, in the fields of preventive diplomacy, peacemaking, peacekeeping and peace-building.

The establishment by the Security Council of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa and by ECOSOC of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on post-conflict African countries, together with the adoption by the General Assembly of the resolution on NEPAD, have provided useful mechanisms to address the multiple needs of these countries. At the same time these actions indicate that there is an interactive relationship between security and development as both of them are indispensable for the achievement of peace and sustainable development.

In this context, the EU welcomes the continued involvement of the international financial institutions in this process. They have an essential role to play in consolidating peace in countries emerging from conflict and in supporting efforts towards long term growth and development.

Mr. President,

Identifying and addressing the multidimensional root causes of conflicts in Africa is another important element in the long fight towards peace and stability in the region. Dealing with issues like, inter alia, socio-economic inequities and inequalities, systematic ethnic discrimination, denial of human rights, disputes over political participation or long-standing grievances over land, the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons, the plight of refugees and internally displaced persons and the illegal exploitation of natural resources is of critical importance in the process of moving from conflict management to prevention and final resolution. In our view, the existence of appropriate and effective mechanisms and institutions, including good governance and rule of law as well as respect for human rights and addressing fundamental inequities are of great importance for the early prevention of conflicts and a durable peace in this continent.

The EU believes that a comprehensive approach to the root causes of conflicts in Africa would also benefit from an enhanced cooperation between the Security Council and other UN bodies. In that regard, we look forward to having a fruitful discussion at the 58th UNGA, where item 40 b of the preliminary agenda provides the appropriate framework for further inputs to emerge.

Mr. President,

The EU considers that the two upcoming Security Council Missions to the region will serve as a pointed reminder of the acute interest and engagement of the international community in Africa, especially at a time when conflicts in certain parts seem to intensify and, even, spread to neighboring countries. They will also contribute to the Council's better understanding of the complex situations at hand and offer a valuable opportunity for interaction with the various players on the ground.

Mr. President,

Within the framework of the Europe-Africa Dialogue, we have been working together to develop common approaches to this issue. The Cairo Summit's follow up has indeed been showing our mutual commitment to this endeavor.

The EU has been constant in its support of the efforts for regional and sub-regional cooperation and has been actively engaged in various relevant initiatives aimed at enhancing the peace-keeping capacities in Africa. We encourage a close relationship between the UN and the African Union and sub-regional organizations, inter alia, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and we commend the recent efforts of these organizations in the area of peacekeeping operations in Africa.

The EU also welcomes the Secretariat's (DPKO's) efforts to work closely with all relevant actors in Africa, at regional, sub-regional and national levels, in particular for the enhancement of the capabilities of troop contributors and in the capacity building for regional and sub-regional organisations. We welcome an active role of the UN, specifically in the areas of information-sharing, promoting transparency, mobilizing support and stimulating contacts between recipients and donors of assistance e.g. in training, equipment and logistics.

The establishment of the African Union was, in particular, an important development for the African continent and has opened new opportunities for strengthened economic cooperation, political partnership and cultural exchange between our two continents.

The EU strongly welcomes the firm commitment of the African Union to peace and security, notably the decision taken at the AU summit in July 2002 in Durban to establish an African Peace and Security Council and an African standby force for conducting Peace Support Operations is a decisive and forward-looking step. In this regard, the European Union also considers that its implementation would be a major achievement by the AU member states, including the swift ratification of the Protocol relating to the establishment of the Peace and Security Council in order to make sure its timely entry into force. The EU stands ready to continue its support geared towards strengthening African conflict prevention and resolution capabilities, in particular at continental and regional level.

Mr. President,

In concluding, I would like to reiterate that, in an emerging new age of political and economic development in Africa, the EU will continue contributing to it in as many sectors as possible and in every possible way, including through an improved cooperation here at the United Nations, where the issue of promoting peace and security in Africa must continue to receive the highest level of priority and urgency.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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