Traditional institutions have a central role in building peace in Africa
The Acting Coordinator of the Silencing the Guns Unit, Sheku Tejan Sesay, said that traditional authorities have a “central role” in building peace across the African continent. He said this was in line with the African Union’s Silencing the Guns Initiative, which the Union has designated a flagship project aimed at ending all wars, civil […]
Sheku Tejan Sesay, the Acting Coordinator of the Silencing the Guns Unit, emphasized that traditional authorities play a "central role" in building peace across Africa. This perspective aligns with the African Union's Silencing the Guns Initiative, which aims to eradicate all forms of violence and conflict on the continent. During a webinar for West African traditional leaders, Sesay stressed that peace must originate within communities, with traditional institutions taking a central position.
He noted that security challenges, including violent extremism, communal conflicts, political instability, and illicit small arms proliferation, often originate at the local level. Traditional leaders, as custodians of values and trusted figures in their communities, are crucial for conflict prevention, early warning, mediation, reconciliation, and promoting peaceful coexistence.
Sesay highlighted the importance of political commitment, institutional responses, community ownership, and sustained grassroots engagement in addressing peace and security threats. The African Union affirmed its dedication to collaborating with traditional institutions towards Aspiration 4 of Agenda 2063, a peaceful and secure Africa.
Mamaga Ametor Hoebuadzu II, the Paramount Queen of Alavanyo Traditional Area, advocated for traditional leaders' active participation in peace committees, early-warning networks, and conflict-prevention structures. She also called for clear communication channels, enhanced community-based early-warning and response systems, and resources for capacity-building in mediation, negotiation, conflict analysis, inclusive mediation, reconciliation, and peacebuilding.
Hoebuadzu stressed the need to prioritize youth empowerment by offering skills development, education, entrepreneurship, and meaningful community involvement to reduce vulnerabilities exploited by violent actors. Strengthening accountability and cooperation to prevent armed violence, supporting lawful community-level initiatives against illicit arms proliferation, and ensuring respect for human rights, public trust, and the rule of law are essential priorities.
These efforts require adequate resources, sustained partnerships, and mechanisms for monitoring progress.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
