President Uhuru Urges Unity Amid Rising Conflicts Within Africa

President Uhuru Kenyatta has decried the growing number of conflicts in Africa and called for the upscaling of conflict resolution efforts on the continent.

“Regrettably, Ladies and Gentlemen, there are still too many conflicts brewing in Africa and which requires our concerted effort to contain…I want to propose that time has come to scale up our conflict resolution efforts, particularly in Africa,” he said.

The President spoke Monday at State House, Nairobi during a virtual United Nations Security Council (UNSC) high-level open debate on the cooperation between the UN, regional and sub-regional organizations in conflict prevention and resolution.

President Kenyatta, who is also the current chairperson of the African Union Peace and Security Council, told the meeting chaired by the newly elected President of Vietnam Nuyen Shuan Phuc that peace and stability was a key priority for Africa. He proposed more support for peace keeping efforts, consideration of the cross-border dimensions of conflicts, and proper disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration programmes.

Further, the President challenged the UN to be at the forefront in assisting countries that are emerging from conflict to develop their civil service and to provide more humanitarian assistance in conflict environments.

On strengthening peace keeping activities in Africa, the President challenged the UN to consult and leverage more on regional conflict resolution mechanisms. Regional and sub-regional organisations have a greater stake in the conflict and provide the proximity and insights, which are critical in conflict resolution,” he said.

On assisting countries emerging from conflict to develop their civil service, President Kenyatta pledged Kenya’s readiness to partner with the UN in supporting regional states.