The African continent is facing significant political conflicts and instability, leading to calls for the disbandment of the current leadership of the AU and the reimagining of the organization. At the Thabo Mbeki Foundation’s Annual Peace and Security Dialogue, speakers highlighted the urgent need for the AU to adapt to the changing geopolitical landscape.
Keynote speaker Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s minister of international relations, pointed out the numerous conflicts globally, emphasizing the crises in the DRC and Sudan. The resurgence of coups in Africa and the spread of terrorism in regions like the Sahel and Cabo Delgado were also discussed.
Deputy Minister of Defense Bantu Holomisa stressed the importance of empowering institutions for peace and conflict resolution to build a stable and prosperous future for the continent. Sheina Kiyara, a geopolitical strategist, raised concerns about the AU’s ability to achieve its goals for 2063 and the need to reassess its identity to align with current global trends.
The discussions highlighted the threats to stability in West Africa and the Horn of Africa posed by extremist groups and ongoing conflicts in countries like Ethiopia and South Sudan.