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/Rev.1*

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:

I should like, first, to tell you how happy and honoured I am to be here with you, today, in Togo. At this very crucial time for peace and stability in Africa, I am pleased that so many heads of State have responded to the invitation of President Gnassingbé Eyadéma.

I see this as a vivid demonstration of African solidarity in the face of the tragedies that are today afflicting our dear continent and as a clear expression of your political will to work together to establish peace in the Great Lakes region. Since the start of the events that are unfolding in the eastern part of Zaire, the United Nations has spared no effort to try to resolve the political crisis and humanitarian tragedy which that country is undergoing.

First of all, it has sought to provide aid and comfort to the affected populations, both refugees and displaced persons. I should like to pay a personal tribute to all those men and women who have devoted themselves untiringly under particularly difficult conditions, and to the humanitarian agencies whose actions have, at times, been unjustly criticized. It has also helped bring together the conditions for a peaceful settlement of the crisis, and it continues to grow its full weight behind efforts to facilitate the implementation thereof.

* Revised to incorporate translation from the French part of the statement.

Finally, it has sought to convince the actors of the twin necessities to renounce violence and at the same time sit down at the negotiating table. I am pleased that our two organizations, the Organization of African Unity and the United Nations, are working hand in hand to meet this major challenge. They share the same objectives. They are pooling their resources and capacities, as demonstrated by the appointment of Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun as joint Special Representative of our two organizations.

That is why I wish to tell you how pleased the United Nations is with the commendable and fruitful initiatives that many African heads of State have taken, individually and collectively, since the start of the crisis.

The Nairobi meeting of 19 March was one fine example of this; today's meeting is yet another.

That is also why I should like, here, to pay tribute to my brother and friend, Salim Ahmed Salim, for the effective and trusting relations that he maintains with the United Nations.

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.

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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 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.

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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.

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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