Seeking solutions to African conflicts – the role of regional and global actors

Introduction by Norway, State Secretary Torgeir Larsen

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Dear colleagues,

Africa today is more peaceful than ever. The number of violent, conflict-related deaths has been declining steadily for several decades. Africa is better prepared than ever before to respond to conflicts and crises.

Norway sees the AU as a key partner in both regional and global affairs. We also see a strong role for regional economic communities.

I will focus on coordination, a comprehensive approach and relevant capacities.

African conflicts are rarely just an African concern. Seeking solutions to African conflicts is a joint responsibility. This may require the involvement of global as well as African and other regional organisations, such as the EU, NATO and others.

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The DRC, Mali and Somalia all provide examples of conflicts where global as well as regional and sub-regional organisations are involved. Coordination is vital. A mutually agreed division of tasks is equally important.

In the peace process between Sudan and South Sudan AU and the AUHIP has played a key role in facilitating the negotiations that resulted in the AU Roadmap, the UNSC 2046 and finally the Addis Abeba agreements. The process is now a critical stage. We fully support Thabo Mbeki and the AUHIP in the efforts of getting the parties to fully implement what they have agreed to, and to address outstanding issues.  Our financial and technical support to AUHIP, especially on oil, will continue.

The crisis in Mali demonstrated how difficult it can be to identify the right level of involvement. The military coup in March 2012 initially looked like a regional issue that ECOWAS could handle on its own. It soon became apparent that the crisis in Mali had wider implications and that non-ECOWAS states, such as Algeria, Mauritania and Chad, had stakes in its resolution.

Preparing for a military stabilisation force also proved to be challenging for ECOWAS, mainly with regards to logistical capabilities. As it turned out, close cooperation between ECOWAS and France, along with other European allies, eventually enabled the deployment of a sizeable African contingent to the south, while neighbouring states like Niger and Chad could immediately cross the border and join in the offensive against the al-Qaida-sympathising groups.

The deployment of MINUSMA, to which African forces will provide the majority of troops, has secured financing and resources that were not readily available to AFISMA. On the other hand, the mission in Mali will not be the African mission that was first anticipated.

Cooperation between the AU and the UN is sometimes challenging. The recent appointment of Haile Menkerios as head of the UN’s office to the AU bodes well for strengthening AU–UN relations. We also welcome the efforts of the AU and its member states to strengthen their collective voice in New York.

Regional organisations bring familiarity with local conditions and local knowledge, but may lack the impartiality that is needed to gain credibility among the parties in a conflict. Bringing in the AU or the UN, or both, will often be necessary for conflict resolution.

Transparency and mutual exchange of information between all the parties involved is vital. When seeking solutions to conflicts in Africa, the ownership of the AU, the REC(s), the neighbouring states and the host state is important.

Norway welcomes the dynamic leadership of the AU chairperson, Ms Dlamini-Zuma. She has approached the peace and security agenda with the right perspective – placing it in a larger political and economic framework.

Norway supports the AU’s stronger emphasis on a comprehensive approach to peace operations. This should be reflected in a stronger emphasis on civilian capacities in the African Standby Force.

Attention should also be directed to the development of justice and security sector capacities. An effective, professional and accountable security sector is a cornerstone of peace and sustainable development.

We commend the AU Commission for having completed the AU Policy Framework on Security Sector Reform (SSR). Norway is ready to support its implementation. We encourage the Commission and the RECs to ensure that SSR is an integral part of their assistance to conflict-affected countries.

The increasing blurring of lines between armed conflict and crime is another reason to stress justice and security sector reform.

These security challenges require holistic, integrated and strategic responses that include sub-regional, regional and global organisations. They affect all of us.

The need for more relevant capacities to respond to conflicts in Africa was highlighted by the recent decision of African leaders to establish the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC).

Norway welcomes the establishment of the ACIRC, and sees it as an important signal of African commitment. Still, efforts to build the capacity to manage conflicts and crises must continue.

In Africa there is an emerging division of tasks between the UN and the AU. The UN is doing peacekeeping, while the AU is doing peace enforcement. As the UN lacks experience with the latter, the AU might also benefit from closer cooperation with NATO on capacity-building.

I very much understand the desire for African solutions to conflicts in Africa, but I remain convinced that this should be a joint endeavour, involving non-African actors.

Norway wants African countries to be strong partners in global affairs. Peace and stability will mean that you have more energy to focus on all the other important areas that need urgent attention – such as climate change and sustainable and inclusive economic growth. 

Thank you.