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African leadership & Africa-driven solutions to Africa’s problems

”We need to acknowledge and accept African leadership and Africa-driven solutions to Africa’s problems. Trying an external, one-size fits all solution is a recipe for failure,” said Permanent Representative of India to the UN, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj. On March 30, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an open debate on ‘Peace and Security in Africa – The Impact of Development Policies in the Implementation of the Silencing the Guns Initiative’. The debate witnessed speakers at the Security Council, emphasising about the need for greater international cooperation and support for ‘African solutions to African problems’.

During the debate, Cristina Duarte, Special Advisor on Africa to the United Nations Secretary-General, said, “Unfortunately, the African perspective has been insufficiently incorporated in global discussions on peace and security on the continent.” The debate also highlighted the continent’s major challenges and the impact of colonialism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and others. “The COVID-19 pandemic, pushed an estimated 55 million Africans into poverty in 2020 and reversed more than two decades of progress in poverty reduction on the continent,” said Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns.

Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj represented India during the debate. The Ambassador stressed various issues related to ensuring peace and security in Africa. She called for the need to fully leverage the comparative advantage of Africa’s regional and sub-regional organisations and highlighted that collaboration between the UN and the AU and sub-regional organisations have always yielded positive results. She further urged to provide more support to strengthen the capacities of national, regional, and sub-regional responses to terrorism in Africa.

What is the ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa’ initiative?

Officially commenced in 2017, ‘Silencing the Guns in Africa’ is a flagship initiative of the African Union’s (AU) Agenda 2063. The initiative is playing a significant role in maintaining peace and stability on the continent. Aiming to end all wars, conflicts, gender-based violence, and to prevent genocide, it calls for addressing the structural root causes and drivers of conflict for sustainable development. However, the gains of the initiative faced a major setback because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations, through its United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is involved at various levels with the AU to further strengthen the ‘Silencing the Guns’ agenda.

India, a long-standing partner of African Countries

India and the African continent shared strong civilisational and historical links. The emotional anti-colonial solidarity, diasporic goodwill, and feeling of ‘South-South’ cooperation, among others, are also playing a significant role in strengthening the partnerships between India and the African continent. India has actively engaged with African countries in the fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, defence and security, science, and technology, among others.

The COVID-19 pandemic also witnessed India’s solidarity with African countries. India provided medical assistance to several African countries and provided around 39.65 million doses of ‘Made in India’ Covid vaccines to 42 African countries. As per EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar, the trade between India and Africa has reached USD 89.5 billion in 2021–2022, compared with USD 56 billion the previous year. In March 2023, while addressing the first edition of India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said “India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance the defence capabilities together.” The conclave witnessed participation of Chiefs & representatives of 31 African nations, along with other civil and defence dignitaries.

“India will continue to do its utmost to support our African brethren in their quest for sustainable peace,” said Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj during the UNSC debate.

 

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