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Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter

THE African Union Peace and Security Council must strive for well-defined working methods to deal with the increasingly
hostile peace and security environment, and ultimately silence the guns in the continent and beyond.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Fredrick Shava made the remarks while officially opening the 14th Retreat of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union in Victoria Falls.

The retreat started on Thursday and ended on Saturday with delegates from various security organs and member states.

Amb Shava said it is a strategic and necessary step towards strengthening the implementation of AU decisions, and to steer the
continent towards the ‘Africa We Want’ as espoused in Agenda 2063.’

“It is only through well-defined working methods that the council will be able to tame and transform the increasingly hostile peace and security environment on our continent and beyond,” said Amb Shava.

He said Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections due next year will present an opportunity for the country and continent at large to showcase Pan Africanism and peace.

“The Republic of Zimbabwe will hold its general elections in 2023. We are thus, presented with another rare opportunity to not only show the world that democracy thrives in our country, but to also consolidate our engagement and re-engagement process.

“We look forward to the usual Pan Africanist support of the AU to ensure that the will of the people of Zimbabwe prevails and is fully respected,” he said.

Amb Shava, on behalf of Government, paid gratitude to the Peace and Security Council and the entire AU for the unwavering support towards the removal of the calamitous sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

He said the country will remain grateful to the progressive members of the global community for their principled stance against sanctions as Zimbabwe is indeed a friend to all and an enemy to none.

Amb Shava said the retreat presents a unique opportunity to objectively refine the manner in which the Council manages its
business and delivers on its mandate.

“The Peace and Security Council has to continuously develop the capacity to effectively confront the complex and multidimensional challenges as envisaged within the principle of African solutions to African problems.

The implementation of the African Union (AU) Master Roadmap to Practical Steps of Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030 is a key component to this process.

“The outcome of this Retreat should enhance the effectiveness of the Council as the AU’s standing organ for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts,” added Amb Shava.

He bemoaned the glaringly hostile evolving international relations which have direct ramifications on peace and security in developing countries, particularly in Africa.

Amb Shava said Africa should therefore remain cognisant of these extra–continental factors that include the Russia-Ukraine conflict, recurrent pandemics as well as energy and food insecurity on the continent.

He called for strengthening of partnerships with other bodies in acknowledgement of the connection between international peace, security and sustainable development.

“The Retreat comes at a time when we have to sharpen our collaboration with other stakeholders at the global level. It will be crucial that this esteemed Council continues to review, improve and further strengthen its Working Methods and candidly address the gaps in the PSC Protocol in order to enhance the Council’s effectiveness in determining the direction of the Continent on matters of peace and security,” said Amb Shava.

Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye said the fight for peace and security remains relevant as the continent grapples with global and continental challenges.

“We must now strive to silence the guns, we must now waver on our several aspirations and on sustainable development. It is equally important that we address the best working methods to tackle emerging threats that continue to ravage the continent,” he said.

He said the council must be the voice in all matters in Africa, be the centre in promoting conflict prevention and an enabler in fighting conflict, and remain the verifiable source of multilateral solutions to Africa’s insecurity and hope for the future.

-@ncubeleon