AU to demarcate borders to limit conflicts
Posted 1st July 2008 at 11:41 AM by NewsTracker
By Luyanda Makapela
Sharm El Sheikh – The African Union (AU) Commission has signed a $40 million peace support programme with the Italian government to support regional border projects.
Addressing reporters at the AU Summit in Sharm-El-Sheikh on Tuesday, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramantane Lamamra said the sanctioned programme to demarcate the borders and eliminate conflicts would see an end to Africa’s border-ignited conflicts.
"We strongly believe that the Italian aid will further assist us not only in trying to bring an end to the current conflicts, but to come up with a concrete programme to avoid such occurrences in the future," said Mr Lamamra.
The signing of the programme is set against the backdrop of an ongoing border dispute between Eritrea and Djibouti.
Eritrea has stationed its troops inside recognised Djiboutian territory, in an effort to grab the region, known as Ras Doumeira.
Armando Sanguini, the African Affairs Director at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the Italian funding for the cross-border initiative on the sidelines of the African Union Heads of State Summit, which kicked off in Egypt on Monday.
AU Commission President Jean Ping said the border issue between Eritrea and Djibouti was "deeply troubling and worrying" to him.
"We need a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro also emphasised the need to consolidate peace.
Ambassador Lamamra, who has recently taken over at the AU Peace and Security Commission, said the funds would be spent on recruitment of staff to promote the new border security roadmap of the organisation.
It will also use the money in anti-terrorism efforts across the continent as well as ensuring the formation of an African standby force becomes a reality.
"The conflicts in Africa show that extra-efforts are required for the AU to define the borders.
"We need to contribute to these programmes more strategically because peace and security is indivisible," he said.
On Friday, the AU called on member states to continue giving special and sustained attention to peace and security issues on the continent.
"The commission is at work to bring its contribution to peace efforts which require the authority and concerted action of all several Heads of State," said AU Chairperson Jean Ping while addressing the 13th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Sharm-El-Shaikh on Friday.
Mr Ping said Africa had many challenges that needed to be overcome in a number of peace processes.
He mentioned the persisting crisis in Darfur, the recent dispute between Chad and Sudan, as well as the situation between Djibouti and Eritrea as issues of concern which pose a challenge to the AU.
"In this regard, I call upon all the Sudanese parties to engage, unconditionally, and put an end to the conflict and the suffering inflicted on the civilian population," said Mr Ping. – BuaNews
Sharm El Sheikh – The African Union (AU) Commission has signed a $40 million peace support programme with the Italian government to support regional border projects.
Addressing reporters at the AU Summit in Sharm-El-Sheikh on Tuesday, AU Peace and Security Commissioner Ramantane Lamamra said the sanctioned programme to demarcate the borders and eliminate conflicts would see an end to Africa’s border-ignited conflicts.
"We strongly believe that the Italian aid will further assist us not only in trying to bring an end to the current conflicts, but to come up with a concrete programme to avoid such occurrences in the future," said Mr Lamamra.
The signing of the programme is set against the backdrop of an ongoing border dispute between Eritrea and Djibouti.
Eritrea has stationed its troops inside recognised Djiboutian territory, in an effort to grab the region, known as Ras Doumeira.
Armando Sanguini, the African Affairs Director at the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the Italian funding for the cross-border initiative on the sidelines of the African Union Heads of State Summit, which kicked off in Egypt on Monday.
AU Commission President Jean Ping said the border issue between Eritrea and Djibouti was "deeply troubling and worrying" to him.
"We need a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro also emphasised the need to consolidate peace.
Ambassador Lamamra, who has recently taken over at the AU Peace and Security Commission, said the funds would be spent on recruitment of staff to promote the new border security roadmap of the organisation.
It will also use the money in anti-terrorism efforts across the continent as well as ensuring the formation of an African standby force becomes a reality.
"The conflicts in Africa show that extra-efforts are required for the AU to define the borders.
"We need to contribute to these programmes more strategically because peace and security is indivisible," he said.
On Friday, the AU called on member states to continue giving special and sustained attention to peace and security issues on the continent.
"The commission is at work to bring its contribution to peace efforts which require the authority and concerted action of all several Heads of State," said AU Chairperson Jean Ping while addressing the 13th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Sharm-El-Shaikh on Friday.
Mr Ping said Africa had many challenges that needed to be overcome in a number of peace processes.
He mentioned the persisting crisis in Darfur, the recent dispute between Chad and Sudan, as well as the situation between Djibouti and Eritrea as issues of concern which pose a challenge to the AU.
"In this regard, I call upon all the Sudanese parties to engage, unconditionally, and put an end to the conflict and the suffering inflicted on the civilian population," said Mr Ping. – BuaNews
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