Speaking in Nigeria, the UN Deputy Secretary-General听Amina Mohammed听has emphasized the importance of prevention as 鈥渢he only real, sustainable solution鈥� to resolving the challenges thrown up by conflict.
Prevention will help us 鈥渇latten the curve鈥� of conflict, and thus create space for our conflict management tools, which are currently often overwhelmed鈥�, she said on Thursday, in a lecture delivered at Baze University, in the Nigerian capital, Abuja, entitled:听The Use of Ceasefire Agreements In Avoiding Escalation of Armed Conflicts.
The Deputy Secretary-General was the guest lecturer at the听University鈥檚 Faculty of Law Lecture Series.
Early intervention
鈥淣owhere is this more evident than in Africa, where the UN has established a strategic partnership with the African Union (AU) and the UN Regional Economic Commission (UNECA).听The UN has also focused on helping to reinforce national capacities for conflict prevention, with the understanding that prevention is more effective when it is led by national or local actors鈥�, she said.
The UN, Ms Mohammed explained further, has put inclusion and the promotion of women鈥檚 political participation and youth engagement, at the centre of all efforts towards peace and security.
Prioritize gender equality
In establishing the role of gender equality in conflict resolution and peacebuilding, Ms. Mohammed emphasized that gender equality must be prioritized, noting that societies that sideline half their populations from political and economic life, leadership and decision-making, will always be vulnerable to conflict.
鈥淓fforts that are responsive to the specific needs and rights of women and girls are likely to have more impact and contribute better to sustainable peace.鈥� Added the Deputy Secretary-General.
On arrival at the University, she was received by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Tahir Mamman (OON, SAN); Nigeria鈥檚 Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Dr. Ali Ahmad and other senior management of the University.
