African Union (AU) Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has lauded Namibia’s democratic principles, saying the country demonstrates the rule of law, which many countries on the continent should emulate.
Mahamat said Africa needs more solidarity to aid the continent from the current economic, social, political and climate change calamities, adding Africa is faced with challenges that call for African leaders to speak with one voice to tackle and ensure peace and socio-economic stability on the continent.
“We need to speak with one voice, and the commission relies on the support of President Geingob, as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, through challenges,” he told President Hage Geingob at State House on Friday.
Mahamat and his delegation were in the country to attend the 13th Annual High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa, which was held at the Safari Hotel over the weekend.
He further informed Geingob there are five countries in the continent faced with the ongoing war and political strife, which requires urgent actions to avoid disaster.
These are Libya, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, Mozambique and Ethiopia.
On his part, Geingob said Namibia is a child of international solidarity; therefore, it stands and supports countries facing challenges, especially those that require the SADC Organ politics, defence and security cooperation’s assistance.
“Namibia is governed by institutions, processes and systems to maximise democracy. However, though democratic independence is achieved, the country is faced with high unemployment and poverty, which equally calls for continental solidarity,” he noted.
Opening the retreat on Saturday, safety and security minister Albert Kawana said the holding of the 13th High-Level Retreat reflects the commitment of continental stakeholders to address issues of insecurity on the continent, ranging from terrorism and violent extremism, the nexus between peace and security and climate change, food insecurity, a breakdown in the rule of law and good governance as well as corruption.
“Peace is a prerequisite for activities essential to human development and the pursuit of happiness. As elders and statesmen and women, you have a noble responsibility to mould the younger generation of Africans to remain faithful to African ethos and not be misled by negative forces,” Kawana said.
He said the radicalisation and recruitment of the continent’s young people into terrorist activities is a grave concern for the continent that undermines future development and prosperity, as well as the pursuit of happiness for the succeeding generations.
On the ‘Wise Youth Network’, launched over the weekend, he said: “This mechanism will be an important tool to ensure inclusive AU-led and supported mediation processes – and to protect our youth from being lured into destructive and negative activities”.
Kawana said he was sure the ‘Wise Youth Network’, coupled with the Office of the AU Youth Envoy, will go a long way in inspiring young people and giving them hope to truly achieve the “Africa we want”.
He said, although the continent has experienced setbacks in ‘Silencing The Guns by 2020’ campaign, witnessed by numerous coups d’états and terrorist attacks, he is confident the rich experiences and knowledge will continue to move the continent to a better place.
– Additional Reporting by Nampa