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Mwakawago calls on African societies to root out ethnic, religious conflicts
2007-11-19 08:41:16
By Nasser Kigwangallah
Africa`s civil wars could be prevented if political leaders were determined to root out ethnic and religious conflicts, corruption and adhere to the rule of law, good governance and democratic norms.
The United Nations Secretary General`s special envoy on Peace Building Commission to Sierra Leone, Daudi Mwakawago, revealed this in his key address recently to participants of a ten days International Training on Conflict Resolution which ended on Friday in Dar es Salaam.
The training was organized by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS) and aimed at contributing to increased capacity building in conflict resolution, peacekeeping, peace-building and post-conflict reconstruction.
Participants from 18 African countries attended the training which came to an end on Friday.
He said using recently developed models of the overall incidence of civil wars in 161 countries between 1960 and 2005; lessons are drawn with special reference to Africa.
Studies show that the relatively higher incidence of war in Africa is not due to the ethno-linguistic fragmentation of its countries, but rather to high levels of poverty, failed political institutions and economic dependence on natural resources.
`I argue that the best and fastest strategy to reduce the incidence of civil war in Africa and prevent future civil wars is to institute democratic reforms that effectively manage the challenges facing Africa’s diverse societies,` he said.
Mwakawago said that there was a dire need to promote inter-group cooperation in Africa, specially tailored political governance and economic management institutions.
He said in order to prevent civil unrest, ethnic groups should feel adequately represented by their national political institutions and if the economy provides opportunity for productive activity.
`Large-scale political violence has identified important economic and political determinants of civil war and erupt due to predominantly political grievances rather than lack of economic opportunity,` Mwakawago said.
He said leaders should rectify the problems confronting the people and under any circumstances whatsoever should not wait until they erupt.
`Living in a bad neighbourhood, with undemocratic neighbours or neighbours at war, significantly increases a country`s risk of civil war also at his own country,` he warned.
He said political will among the leaders was vital in solving the conflicts; lack of it jeopardises the whole process and fails to reach the designated end.
`Other Commissions failed, citing Burundi, Mozambique and now in Sudan due to lack of political will and a clear mandate. But our mission eventually succeeded in bringing peace to the Sierra Leone because it was given a clear mandate and the Commission had all the necessary resources it required,` he noted.
Mwakawago is one of the longest serving civil servants in the history of this country.
He has been in service for more than forty years and has served the government in different capacities.
He was also the country’s ambassador to the United Nations for nine years.
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