By Insight Post Uganda
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
UN Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat have formalised their commitment to human rights by signing a framework agreement.
This agreement adds to previous accords on peace and security, as well as development, solidifying the collaborative efforts between the United Nations and the African Union.
Addressing reporters after the signing, both leaders emphasised the imperative of reforming the global financial architecture to align with current realities.
Guterres particularly highlighted the pressing need for justice in international relations, emphasising that Africa has historically been a victim of the structural injustices inherent in the current global order.
This underscores the shared belief that rectifying these imbalances is crucial for fostering fair and equitable relations on the international stage.
In their discussions, Faki directed attention to the critical issues of peace and security, noting the challenging phase Africa is currently experiencing. He noted that the continent has become a “haven for terrorism and extremism,” with far-reaching effects on multiple regions, compounded by the drawdown of certain African Union peacekeeping operations.
Moreover, Africa is grappling with economic challenges, characterised as a “triple crisis” resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, particularly impacting food supply.
Faki stressed the urgency of securing financing for both development and peace initiatives. He also highlighted the need for reform in global financial institutions, recognising the significance of addressing these intertwined issues for the stability and well-being of the continent.
Faki highlighted a call for climate justice, indicating that both leaders would be participating in the COP28 climate conference set to commence in Dubai. The Chairman also emphasised that this conference presents an opportunity to advocate for Africa, which faces severe impacts from climate change despite contributing minimally to pollution.
Highlighting the need for fairness in the transition to green energy, Faki pointed out that approximately 600 million people across the continent still lack access to electricity. He further stressed the importance of being on the right path for development, suggesting that this approach could potentially help address the delicate issue of migration, particularly concerning African neighbours in Europe.
The call for climate justice underscores the importance of ensuring equitable and inclusive solutions to the global climate crisis, considering the unique challenges faced by African nations.
According to Guterres, Africa remains a top priority for the United Nations, stating the significance of collaborating with the African Union on the basis of the principle of “African-led solutions for African problems.”
Guterres acknowledged that the continent has been doubly victimised by historical injustices, including colonialism and slavery, as well as contemporary issues related to financial and economic power dynamics.
The Secretary-General pointed out that Africa experienced some of the highest economic growth rates globally before the pandemic, but the crisis revealed injustices in various aspects, such as vaccine distribution and the escalating debt burdens that limit fiscal flexibility.
This situation has led to an inability of countries to address the basic needs of their predominantly youthful populations, fostering frustration that could contribute to instability, coups, and other developments detrimental to peace and security.
He then emphasised the importance of recognising that peacekeeping missions are meaningful only in environments where peace exists, advocating for a comprehensive approach to address the roots of issues related to peace and security in the African context.
Support AU Operations
Guterres advocated for the support of African Union (AU) operations, specifically endorsing peace enforcement and counterterrorism initiatives in Africa led by the AU and sanctioned by the UN Security Council.
He stressed the importance of securing the assessed contributions required to finance these missions, deeming them essential for effectively combating the rising tide of violence and terrorism in numerous African nations.
The UN chief also highlighted the imperative of mobilising the international community to address the underlying economic and social causes of conflicts on the continent.
Guterres further expressed a keen interest in reforming international financial institutions to ensure that they align with the current global economy rather than reflecting structures from the post-Second World War era.
This call for financial reform explains the necessity of adapting institutions to contemporary challenges and promoting a more equitable and responsive international financial framework.
Gaza and Sudan
In a question-and-answer session, the UN chief, António Guterres, addressed the current pause in fighting in Gaza, stressing that while the truce is a positive step and symbol of hope, it does not fully address the key problems in the region.
Guterres reiterated his call for a humanitarian ceasefire that would lead to the unconditional release of hostages and the delivery of aid to all people in Gaza, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the area.
On the issue of the call for the withdrawal of UN peacekeepers from Sudan and reports of atrocities in West Darfur, both leaders were asked if this represented a failure of the international community.
The UN chief characterised the situation in Sudan, where rival generals have been in conflict since mid-April, as a result of those who prioritise power struggles over the interests of their people, along with the support they receive based on considerations that he refrained from commenting on at the time.
This acknowledgement points to the complexities and challenges surrounding international efforts in addressing conflicts and humanitarian crises in various regions.
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