The KwaZulu-Natal, KZN 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.
Dube-Ncube said this while speaking during the Joint Retreat of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Umhlanga.
“This retreat brings together African government leaders and youth peace ambassadors representing various countries, including Sierra Leon, Burundi, Namibia, Tanzania, Senegal, Cameroon, Uganda, Gambia Nigeria and Chad, among others,” she said.
“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,” Dube-Ncube said.
She said the province takes its lead from the national government and the sustained commitment that South Africa 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 find solutions to the challenges that Africa faces,” Dube-Ncube said.
The Premier said the retreat is being held at an opportune time, a few days after South Africa’s successful hosting of the Ethiopia peace talks.
“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.”
Dube-Ncube also shared with delegates that the province has 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, Mia Mottley.
