African Union honoured for continental peace efforts

Dlamini-Zuma accepted the 2015 Africa Peace Award on behalf of the AU at the Durban International Convention Centre last night.

The accolade was awarded by the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD).

It’s in recognition of the AU’s efforts in conflict resolution and peace-keeping across the continent and the protection of human rights.

Presenting the award, the Chairperson of ACCORD's Board of Trustees, Graca Machel praised the African Union, saying the organisation is “an embodiment of our aspirations for a more united and peaceful continent”.

Dlamini-Zuma has dedicated the award to facilitators, negotiators and peacekeeper.

“This award is an honour to the millions of peace-loving and law-abiding citizens of the entire continent who remain as custodians of peace and development and an encouragement for us all to redouble our efforts in the struggle for peace and friendship." 

"Equally, let us not forget the millions that have paid the ultimate price in our quest for peace and development,” she said.

Dlamini-Zuma led dignitaries and other guests in observing a moment’s silence for the victims of conflict, giving special mention to last week’s bombings in Yola and Kano in Nigeria, as well Friday’s hotel hostage siege in Mali’s capital in which a total of 90 people were killed and more than 150 wounded.

On the role that poverty and inequality play in perpetuating disputes, Dlamini-Zuma said it was crucial to have inclusive societies and the fair distribution of wealth in order for sustainable peace and development to be realised.

“This means we must create space for everyone, including the poor, to benefit from the positive aspects of globalisation. But it would not be possible to achieve peace in the world where we have 10% of the wealthiest owning 80% percent of the world’s wealth, while the bottom 50% own 1% of the world’s wealth,” she said.

Dlamini-Zuma has urged the people of the continent to, in their bid for lasting peace, draw on the peaceful approaches employed by Nobel Peace Prize winner, Inkosi Albert Luthuli and Mahatma Gandhi in the causes they fought for.

President Jacob Zuma also attended the ceremony, telling guests that recent elections in a number of African countries, which have been declared free and fair, are a cause for celebration.

“However, we remain concerned by situations that threaten to derail our peace gains, such as the developing situation in Burundi. All of us, led by the East African region, should support he peace efforts underway to stabilise the situation in that sisterly country,” he said.

He also says peace on the continent will help turn the tide on the current migration crisis.

“It means we lessen the chances of our young people perishing in the stormy waters of the Mediterranean Sea as they seek greener pastures elsewhere. Our external partners must also play a constructive role in handling the issue of migration from our shores,” he added.

The event was also attended by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Senzo Mchunu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Advisor on Africa Maged Adbelaziz, IFP leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi, UDM leader general Bantu Holomisa and Speaker of Parliament Baleka Mbete.

The Africa Peace Award has previously been awarded to former President Nelson Mandela and the nations of Mozambique, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Ghana and Burundi as well as the Children of Africa. 

Notably, the community of Mpumalanga township in KwaZulu-Natal were the first recipients of the award in 1993 for their collective commitment to ending the political violence that had ravaged the community from 1986 to the early 1990s.

(Photo: Dineo Mphahlele)