By Bayano Valy – SANF 04 no 49
MAPUTO, 3 June 2004 – Participants to the Africa Economic Summit taking place in the Mozambican capital Maputo have underscored the need to include business in conflict resolution processes across the African continent.
The call was made during an interactive session discussing peace and security in Africa at the economic forum, which has attracted leading politicians, diplomats, businesspeople and members of the civil society.
“There’s a positive role that businesses can play in conflict resolution in the continent,” said Mario Giro of the Community of Sant’ Egidio, a Catholic church-based organisation which has intervened in peace mediation processes throughout the world, including Mozambique.
“Inclusiveness is important because the main victims of conflicts are civilians. It is a fact that more than 90 percent of victims are civilians,” he said, adding that the inclusiveness should also be extended to businesspeople.
Giro added that it is becoming clear that most peace agreements have started emphasising development components in their clause, and for such components to work effectively it is necessary that business experts are also consulted.
More cooperation is needed between peace-making institutions and the civil society for peace to prevail, he said. However, it should be noted that unlike war-mongering, peace-building is not a business.
Businesses that get rich by prolonging wars through the sale of guns should be named and shamed, said South African, Tsepo Tswala. The West is often quick to brand Africa as a war-ridden continent, he said, yet Western companies sell the bulk of weapons that fuel most conflicts on the continent.
This is the first time that the issue of peace and security vis-à-vis business have been included on the agenda of the Africa Economic Summit.
Participants called on the international community to cooperate with Africans in tackling their conflicts since, because of globalisation, these problems will affect global developments in various ways.
Hipólito Patrício, Mozambican Ambassador to South Africa, said that Africans are ready to assume their responsibilities and the Summit has underlined that “in this global village, peace is indivisible”. Thus the international community should play its role and help Africa overcome its problems.
One continental tool that would effectively put paid to most conflicts and create an attractive environment for investment is the African Union Peace and Security Council, which is charged with the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts through both diplomatic and military means. (SARDC)
