President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the major challenge Africa faces is the threat of terrorist activities and other crimes.
He said the continent must achieve a new trajectory of peace, security and stability.
Buhari made the call at the 14th extra-ordinary session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) on ‘Silencing the Gun’, held virtually on Sunday.
He urged African leaders to promote the implementation of arms control instruments and embargoes.
The Nigerian leader said the increasing number of peace agreements and efforts in conflict situations across Africa demonstrated a resolve to chart a new course.
He called for the monitoring and evaluation mechanism to gauge the implementation at the continental level.
Buhari said intra/inter-state resurgence of conflicts in Africa underscores the imperative for the AU Mediation Support Unit to be strengthened.
“Threats of terrorist activities, other trans-organised crimes and external interference in the internal affairs of African States are increasing.
“We also see maritime security threats, including the proliferation of small arms and light weapons and the challenges of porous border are also visible.
“It is in this regard that we blame the slow implementation of the African Common Defence Policy, hinged on the establishment of the African Standby Force,’’ Buhari said.
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