KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s commitment to working towards advancing peace and stability in Africa while supporting the efforts of the African Union Peace and Security Council and the African Peer Review Mechanism to address challenges facing the continent.
Premier Dube-Ncube was speaking today during the Joint Retreat of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and African Union Peace and Security Council taking place in Umhlanga.
The retreat brings together African government leaders and youth peace ambassadors representing various countries including Sierra Leon, Burundi, Namibia, Tanzania, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Gambia Nigeria, Chad and many others.
“Over the last 20 years the African Union has been true to its pan-African origins as it has come to terms with its expanded mandate and worked hard to make the lives of Africans better for all. It is my belief that over the next 20 years the African Union will continue to go from strength to strength, and that we will all look upon an Africa that is thriving, free of conflict and at peace with itself. KwaZulu-Natal takes its lead from the national government and the sustained commitment that the South African Government has to the AU project. This sustained commitment is reflected in South Africa serving once more as a Member of the PSC, highlighting our readiness to work with other AU Member States to finding solutions to the challenges that Africa faces,” said Premier Dube-Ncube.
Premier Dube-Ncube said the retreat was being held at an opportune time, just a few days after South Africa’s successful hosting of the peace talks to the conflict in Ethiopia.
“We welcome such a positive outcome and we equally hope that Ethiopia never knows conflict again. The hosting of these recently concluded peace talks is the continuation of our Government’s tradition of actively participating in conflict resolution in Africa. South Africa has been involved in meditation and negotiations in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Ivory Coast and others. We are indeed proud to add Ethiopia to that list. My hope is that we are able to stamp out any and all threats to peace in Africa and around the world. It is my belief that occasions such as this one will help push the frontiers of peace,” said the Premier.
Premier Dube-Ncube also told delegates that the province successfully hosted the 20th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture over the weekend which was delivered at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre by the Prime Minister of Barbados Her Excellency Mia Mottley.
“Prime Minister Mottley reminded us of the umbilical cord that binds all of us as Africans, including those in Africa’s Diaspora, and of the need to strengthen these bonds of friendship, and solidarity for a better world. Your presence also coincides with the celebrations of ACCORD’s 30th anniversary, an organisation that continues to demonstrate the commitment to work for an Africa that is free of conflicts,” said the Premier.
Furthermore, Premier Dube-Ncube reflected on the fact that Durban and KwaZulu-Natal has a long and proud history of hosting African and world leaders. In 2002, Durban had the honour of hosting the inaugural summit of the Africa Union.
“Leaders from across the continent descended upon Durban to witness history as the Organisation of African Unity, founded as a pan-African tool to fight colonialism, was transformed into the African Union as we know it today. We are also proud that 10 years after its official launch in this city, in 2012 our province gave Africa its first female Chairperson of the AU Commission in Dr Nkosazana Dlamini -Zuma,” concluded Premier Dube-Ncube.
Ends
Issued by the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government on behalf of Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube