The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has called on African leaders to remain committed to peacebuilding in their respective countries.
The Director General of the Institute, Dr. Bakut T. Bakut, made the call Friday in Abuja while speaking at the opening ceremony of a three-day Conference on Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in Africa with the theme, “Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in Africa: A Cross-Disciplinary Perspective Towards African Development.”
The director-general, in a statement by the head of media, Musa Mato, said in recent times, the diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa had been strained by incidences of violence perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals.
He also said the development was particularly disturbing given the role that each country plays in its respective sub region and Africa as a whole as well as the negative impacts such has on the socioeconomic and political relations for both countries.
“It is also hoped that we will all carry these sentiments back and spread them throughout our countries. It is hoped that we will become more knowledgeable of the feats we have accomplished, our prospects, and challenges that lie ahead through this sharing of country experiences and history,” he said.
Also speaking, the chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike
Dabiri-Erewa, said in view of the recent happenings in Africa and in particular South Africa, it was, therefore, interested and very urgent for this gathering to interrogate what happened and come up with practical solutions that would stop xenophobia in the African continent.
Dabiri-Erewa, who was represented by the secretary of the commission, Dr. Sule Yakubu Bassi, noted that ethnic conflict, weak economies, health crisis and fragile government hinder sustainable development in Africa.
In his remarks, a delegate from the University of South Africa (UNISA)/IDRA, Prof. Olaotse John Kole, appreciated the IPCR for partnering with the South African to organise such programme with a view to proffering solutions to some of the challenges confronting Africa.
