Speaking during a thematic session on “Mediation and Coexistence: Building a Conflict-Resilient Africa,” held as part of tthe 2nd Forum of Chairpersons of Foreign Affairs Committees of African Parliaments, themed “Towards Establishing Lasting Foundations for Stability and Security in Africa,” the speakers highlighted the need to promote development, reconciliation, human rights, and to strengthen the values of justice and fairness.
Mohamed Loulichki, a member of the Royal Academy and former ambassador, noted that mediation is a preferred mechanism for the peaceful resolution of conflicts, as it provides all parties with a flexible and impartial decision-making framework, noting that its use remains voluntary, which encourages states to resort to it.
The mediator must be experienced and have the necessary cultural skills and knowledge to reconcile conflicting points of view and resolve conflicts peacefully, he added, stressing that mediation prevents countries from resorting to justice, whose decisions are binding.
For his part, Professor El Moussaoui El Ajlaoui, researcher at the Center for African and Middle Eastern Studies, highlighted the role of African parliaments in crisis management and maintaining lasting peace, based on three essential pillars: security, peace, and development, noting that these pillars are inseparable for building the desired security policy.
He added that African parliaments are called upon to contribute to the establishment of a robust security policy and to address challenges related to terrorism, extremism, separatist movements, transnational crime, and human rights issues.
The Secretary-General of the African Parliamentary Union (APU), Idi Gado Boubacar, noted that resilience in the face of conflicts requires an approach integrating mediation, education, economic development, and social justice to build pluralistic, inclusive, and peaceful societies.
He emphasized the key role of mediation in maintaining peace on the continent as a tool for a conflict-resilient Africa capable of promoting lasting harmony among its youth.
Furthermore, Boubacar stressed the importance of increased regional and international cooperation to support peace efforts in Africa, noting that such cooperation could exert diplomatic pressure on conflicting parties to engage in peace negotiations.
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