DIPLOMATS and academicians have called on African countries to continue promoting and pursuing ‘African Solutions to African Problems’ to end conflicts instead of depending on external interventions.

They aired their views at the weekend in a public lecture to mark 20th anniversary of the official launch of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) that was held in Dar es Salaam.

 The public lecture under the theme ‘The Peace and Security We Want in Africa’ was organised by Uongozi Institute in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam.

Tanzania’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Innocent Shiyo said that throughout the month, member states will reflect on the significant strides made by the council in promoting peace, security and stability across Africa.

The envoy said that African leaders’ priorities always must be to ensure the continent becomes free from any types of conflicts

“Our goal remains steadfast: to silence the guns, realizing a conflict-free Africa, aligning with the principles outlined in the Solemn Declaration adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 26 May 2013 on the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU),” he said.

Lt Gen (rtd) Paul Mella, former Ambassador of Tanzania to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, said that PSC has made significant progress in deploying Peace Support Operations (PSOs) to stabilize fragile contexts, protect civilians and prevent further escalation of conflict situations.

He called on African countries to continue collaborating to eliminate disputes in the continent.

“I know for sure that it is not easy to be a conflict- free continent. Therefore, It is our duty to unite and ensure that our continent remains peaceful,” he said.

Prof Adebayo Ulukoshi, international relations expert and Executive Secretary of Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) said African countries must unite to ensure the continent become gun-free

The don said PSC must look forward to explore innovative ideas on how to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in discharging its mandate in the next two decades.

Prof Eginald Mihanjo, Director of Studies at National Defence College, said that there will be no peace unless human security is guaranteed.

University of Dar es Salaam Vice Chancellor Prof William Anangisye said that the aim of organizing the public lecture was to provide a platform for debating and charting a way forward to end conflicts.