Speech

Speech delivered by Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, in Brussels during the panel discussion on "Peace, Security and Governance" at the third meeting of the African Union-European Union Foreign Ministers.

The text of the Minister of State's speech reads:

Thank you, Mr. President.

As we review our partnership in this particular area, we must recall three critical factors that are now shaping the African landscape in the areas of peace and security:

First, Africa has never known such a large number of areas of tension, crises and conflicts at the same time in its history. From the Sahel to the Horn of Africa, from the Great Lakes to parts of North Africa, instability is accelerating, threatening the lives of millions and jeopardizing the future of the entire continent.

Second, and more seriously, terrorism has become the number one threat to peace and security in Africa. The continent now accounts for more than half of the world's terrorism-related deaths, and the Sahel has tragically become the epicenter of global terrorism.

Third, at a time when these challenges are growing and expanding, the performance of our collective diplomacy has weakened. Mediation efforts and peace processes have not kept pace with the worsening situation, leaving a wide vacuum that has allowed the forces of instability to expand and spread further.

In such a situation, Algeria firmly believes in the urgent need to revitalize our partnership. We need an effective partnership based on the principle of African solutions for African issues, with the support of our friends and partners who are committed to helping Africa face its challenges and realize the aspirations we all share.

A partnership that would first restore diplomacy to its central place at the center of our collective actions to confront hotbeds of tension in Africa and prevent the emergence of new ones.

A partnership that, secondly, better strengthens, in a sustainable approach, the AU's peace support operations, enabling them to tackle terrorism and other emerging and growing threats.

And a partnership that, thirdly and finally, invests more in stabilization through development as the best and most effective way to achieve lasting and sustainable peace, not only in Africa, but across the globe.

Thank you.