Chairperson, the security of a nation, state or a community is intricately bound to the security of its neighbours. This being said, understanding and tackling the root causes of conflict on the African continent is a long-term process that requires the commitment of leadership at the national and regional levels together with the support from the international community.
The major obstacles in making substantial progress on the African continent is the lack of implementation owing to a lack of resources and at times a lack of political will by the states.
The African Union, AU, has the right and the responsibility to protect. Article 4(h) of the AU Constitutive Act affirms the right of the union to intervene in a member state in respect of grave circumstances. The AU's responsibility to build the continent is currently being pursued through its post-conflict and reconstructive framework.
Much pain and suffering such as that experienced in Zimbabwe would be prevented if the AU enhanced and strengthened its mechanisms for preventive diplomacy and early response to potential conflicts before they escalate. African states and their institutions need to move away from the rhetoric and clichs and take genuine action to develop their own solutions for Africa's security and development.
Relying on the support of external patterns and donors only perpetuates dependency. It is important to remember that the donors themselves have their own political agendas. Thus, the solution to African security challenges lies in reducing both technical and financial dependence on external patterns. Thank you. [Time expired.]