EU Statement - United Nations Security Council Open Debate: Silencing the Guns in Africa - cooperation between the United Nations and Regional Organizations

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I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the European Union and its 28 Member States.

The Candidate Countries Turkey, North Macedonia^*, Montenegro^*, Serbia^* and Albania^*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia, align themselves with this statement.

Mr President,

I will focus today on what the European Union and its Member States are collectively doing to further strengthen the range of tools of the African Union and its regional mechanisms in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts, while also illustrating how the AU-UN strategic partnership can be leveraged to help Africa achieve the ambitious goal of silencing the guns.

The European Union welcomed the adoption of the AU Master Roadmap and the launch of the African Amnesty Month in the context of the "Silencing of the Guns flagship initiative". We fully share the African Union's concern about the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons as a major source of insecurity. We therefore commend you, Mr. President, and your country, for the initiative to use your Presidency of the Security Council to hold today’s open debate on how the cooperation between the United Nations and Regional Organizations can further contribute to its key effort of ending conflicts on the continent.

Mr. President,

Agenda 2063 is a bold and ambitious strategic framework for the sustainable development of the African continent. The EU is working closely with the AU to make these ambitions come true, as witnessed by the AU-EU Summit in Abidjan in November, 2017 and, more recently, by the first AU-EU annual joint ministerial meeting, held last January in Brussels.

Peace and security during all phases of the conflict cycle is a central pillar of the AU-EU strategic partnership. Our Memorandum of Understanding on Peace, Security and Governance signed last May puts the EU-AU partnership on a solid and structured basis, taking into account the complexity of the emerging threats and the need to address their root causes.

Our two organizations are also operationally active in the Sahel, the Central African Republic and Somalia. While cooperation is ongoing in all those theatres, it is particularly strong in Somalia, where AMISOM is a key partner of both the EU civilian and military missions. Moreover, the EU and the AU are exploring opportunities for further strengthening operational cooperation on peace and security, including between missions and operations. The same goal is being pursued with the UN, and also trilaterally. Progress in this area has the potential to contribute significantly to Africa's ambition for silencing the guns by 2020.

Another important area where progress has been steady is the operationalisation of the AU Peace Fund, a clear sign of the AU’s dedication to take charge of the continent’s peace and security. We also see it as an important tool for the alignment of partners’ support. We are honoured to be offered a seat at the Fund’s Board of Trustees.

Mr. President,

Under the African Peace and Security Architecture, the AU, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) and Sub-Regional ad-hoc coalitions are building tools to respond to a wide variety of crisis situations. Means range from diplomacy, mediation to peace support operations and post-conflict reconstruction and development.

While Peace Support Operations generally receive most attention and resources, it is the quiet forces of diplomacy and mediation, and structural attention to fragility triggers that contribute greatly to any successful intervention in preventing or resolving conflict.         The EU has therefore allocated 20M€ for the continuation, until 2020, of the African Peace Facility's Early Response Mechanism, making possible a range of AU activities of both a preventive and mediatory nature.

At working level, the EU and the AU are engaged in conflict prevention dialogue. This is a dialogue of peers where we seek to learn from each other. A number of subjects have been identified as entry points for cooperation, including joint analyses, conflict prevention and climate change, mediation, and last but not least and particularly relevant in today's discussions, UN-AU-EU trilateral cooperation.

The EU is also committed to continue supporting a stronger linkage between the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) in order to reduce fragility, foster political stability and effective governance across Africa for the benefit of all. The prevention of violent conflict is our key endeavour: beyond short term actions to prevent an imminent outbreak of violence, fragile situations require tailored approaches and support to help create sustainable peace, whilst addressing the underlying causes of conflict. The successful prevention of violent conflict must aim at local ownership and prioritising the concerns of the local communities. The protection of human rights, responsive and accountable political governance as well as inclusive economic growth, are essential elements of addressing the root causes of conflict. Gender equality is a pre-requisite for peace, security, sustainable development and justice, all of which positively influence our global, regional and national economies. Women’s perspective need to be equally represented as do the hopes and aspirations of young people that have the final responsibility for the future.

Indeed, an active role for youth and women in prevention, management and mediation of conflicts is of paramount importance. This is recognised in the Declaration of the Abidjan Summit and is an area in which we would like to see greater AU-EU-UN trilateral cooperation. Building sustainable and peaceful societies will require the utilization of all APSA and AGA components to ensure a comprehensive approach that brings together peace and security, sustainable development and human rights. Bringing those responsible for alleged violations and abuses to justice and holding them accountable by ending impunity is essential for reconciliation.

Mr. President,

Allow me to end by assuring you all, in particular friends and colleagues, that the EU will continue to encourage concrete initiatives and bolster projects to support the African Union and its regional mechanisms in enhancing their capacity to deal with conflict and crisis situations on the continent and meet its ambition of silencing the guns by 2020.

I thank you Mr. President.

* North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.