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 on Tuesday 26th November, 2019 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 Conference was organized by IPCR in Conjunction with the Institute for Dispute Resolution in Africa (IDRA) of the University of South Africa.
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IPCR DG, Dr. Bakut Bakut
The Director-General explained that in recent times, diplomatic relations between Nigeria and South Africa had been strained by incidences of violence perpetrated by unscrupulous individuals adding that this 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 socio-economic and political relations for both countries.
He said “apart from the challenges between Nigeria and South Africa, many African countries have less than harmonious relationship with their African brethren. We seem oblivious to our shared history, travails and victories”
He further explained that the younger generations were unaware of the sacrifices made for the countries to be enviable.
It was therefore important according to Dr. Bakut for the people in academia to ensure that history of African value, tradition, and culture do not remain hidden under whatever.
He also explained that it was important for the youth to learn the concept of Ubuntu (a quality that includes the essential human virtues, compassion, and humanity) and appreciate that we all need one another to surmount our challenges and to overcome the evils in our societies.
He added that the engagements would re-awaken the lukewarm sentiments of Pan-Africanism, African Unity and the African Spirit.
“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 incumbent on 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 organize such programme with a view to proffering solutions to some of the challenges confronting Africa.
The Chairman of the occasion, President and founder, Pan African Institute for Global Affairs and Strategy (PAIGAS) Abuja, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Martins Uhomoibhi, was optimistic that Africans have the capacity to deal with challenges facing her; “We need to look inward to know where our problems are coming from,’’ he said.
