SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES RENEWED COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING AFRICA'S STABILITY, SOCIAL PROGRESS, BETTER STANDARDS OF LIFE IN LARGER FREEDOM

26 March 1997

Press Release
SG/SM/6192

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES RENEWED COMMITMENT TO PROMOTING AFRICA'S STABILITY, SOCIAL PROGRESS, BETTER STANDARDS OF LIFE IN LARGER FREEDOM

19970326 In Address to OAU Conflict Prevention Mechanism, Kofi Annan Emphasizes 'African Unity Can Be Strong Moral Force'; Unity Is Key

Following is the text -- original in French and English -- of Secretary- General Kofi Annan's statement to the Central Organ of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution in Lome, Togo, today:

Je voudrais, tout d'abord, vous dire combien je suis heureux et honoré d'être, aujourd'hui, ici, au Togo, parmi vous. En un moment aussi crucial pour la paix et la stabilité de l'Afrique, je me félicite que tant de chefs d'Etat aient répondu à l'invitation du Président Gnassingbé Eyadéma.

J'y vois une manifestation tangible de la solidarité africaine face aux drames qui affectent aujourd'hui notre cher continent et l'expression manifeste de votre volonté politique de travailler ensemble à l'établissement de la paix dans la région des Grands Lacs. Depuis le début des événements qui se déroulent dans la partie orientale du Zaïre, l'Organisation des Nations Unies n'a ménagé aucun effort pour tenter de résoudre la crise politique et le drame humanitaire qui frappent ce pays.

En premier lieu, elle s'est efforcée d'apporter assistance et réconfort aux populations affectées, qu'il s'agisse de réfugiés ou de personnes déplacées. Je tiens personnellement à rendre hommage à toutes celles et à tous ceux qui se sont dévoués sans relâche dans des conditions particulièrement difficiles, ainsi qu'aux agences humanitaires dont l'action a parfois été injustement critiquée. Par ailleurs, elle a contribué à réunir les conditions d'un règlement pacifique de la crise et continue de peser de tout son poids pour en faciliter la mise en oeuvre.

Enfin, elle a cherché à convaincre les acteurs, de la double nécessité de tout à la fois renoncer à la violence et s'asseoir à la table de négociation. Pour répondre à ce défi majeur, je me réjouis que nos deux organisations, l'OUA et l'ONU aient su travailler main dans la main. Elles partagent les mêmes objectifs. Elles mettent en commun leurs moyens et leurs capacités, comme en témoigne la nomination de l'Ambassadeur Mohamed Sahnoun, en qualité de Représentant spécial conjoint de nos deux Organisations.

C'est pourquoi je veux vous dire combien l'ONU se félicite des initiatives louables et fructueuses prises, individuellement et collectivement, par de nombreux chefs d'Etat africains, depuis le début de la crise.

La réunion de Nairobi du 19 mars dernier en a constitué une belle illustration. Et la réunion d'aujourd'hui en est une preuve nouvelle.

C'est également pourquoi, je veux ici rendre hommage à mon frère et ami, le Docteur Salim Ahmed Salim, pour les relations efficaces et confiantes qu'il entretient avec l'Organisation des Nations Unies.

The United Nations and the OAU are working within a joint framework for peace: the comprehensive five-point peace plan endorsed by the Security Council.

All aspects of the plan should now be pursued together, though flexibility in the interrelationship among the different points should be allowed for.

Zaire and Zairians must now move forward on a clear path towards lasting peace and reconstruction based on democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. But before that can happen, the fighting must stop and a dialogue must begin among Zairians.

That is now the strong view of the international community. The Nairobi Summit called on the parties to cease hostilities and create the necessary environment to facilitate a negotiated settlement. I strongly endorse that call. I urge the parties to move to the negotiating table. In this regard, I am encouraged by the recent declaration of President Mobutu Sese Seko calling for a cease-fire and dialogue, as well as the decision by the Alliance of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Congo-Zaire to declare a temporary cease-fire in the region of Kisangani.

The United Nations, through the efforts of the joint United Nations/OAU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region, will continue to press the two sides in order that, without further delay, they accept total cessation of hostilities and commence negotiations.

We have also continued our contingency planning for a possible United Nations monitoring mechanism designed to help monitor cessation of hostilities in Zaire and for implementation of the peace plan, including its humanitarian objectives and programmes. Should such a monitoring mechanism be established, African States and the OAU will have to play an important part in it. We would welcome any proposal from your Central Organ towards that end.

The plight of the refugees and internally displaced persons is also a matter of widespread international concern. We in the United Nations, with

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the assistance of international humanitarian agencies, are doing our best, in very difficult circumstances, to provide relief and assistance. It is incumbent on the parties to act immediately and swiftly to help bring relief to innocent civilians caught up in the fighting.

At this point, therefore, I make a special plea to all parties to arrange for the safety, security, and return of the innocent refugees and displaced persons to their places of origin. That would be a tangible demonstration of goodwill and an indication of willingness to abide by international humanitarian norms.

I also believe that we must keep human rights issues at the forefront of our consideration. Atrocities should be investigated. In the talks, the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international covenants should be given a central role.

Security Council resolution 1097 (1997) is deliberately broad in scope. But its thrust is clear. Military might or intervention alone cannot successfully lay the foundations for lasting peace. Effective peacemaking and conflict resolution in the Great Lakes region must embrace the broadest humanitarian social and economic dimensions. Hence our efforts to organize an international conference on peace, stability and development.

In recent years, in one country after another -- in Somalia, Burundi, Rwanda, Sudan and now Zaire -- Africa has been in crisis. Ordinary Africans, especially women and children -- have paid a terrible price for political instability, division and regional hostilities.

But we know that things are changing. During my recent visit to Angola, I observed the unquenchable yearning for peace on the part of the people of that country, who have suffered for decades from a most brutal civil war. The people and leaders of Angola are now determined to end their conflict and put their country back on track. When Africans act together, it can make a world of difference.

No longer do Africans shelter behind narrow nationalism and say "It isn't my country, so it isn't my problem". They know that the sufferings of any African affect all Africans.

I see a new African unity of purpose here today. As an African, I find that uplifting. We are beginning to end the stereotype of Africa as a continent in crisis, a house divided against itself.

African unity is the key. Africa does not command great arsenals. But African unity can be a strong moral force. When Africa speaks with one voice, the world listens. But if Africa speaks with a cacophony of confused messages, few will listen, and no one will hear.

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In conclusion, I urge you all to join me in renewing our commitment to promoting on our continent stability, social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom for all Africans. This is the least we can do for the present and future generations of Africans. I have no doubt that Africa can count on all of us.

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