1. The African Union Commission (AUC) warmly expresses its support for the Republic of South Africa as G20 Chair and welcomes the country for hosting the G20 Summit in Africa for the first time. This milestone reflects South Africa’s growing role in global governance.
2. As the current Chair of the G20, South Africa has shown exceptional leadership in promoting the priorities of the Global South, advancing sustainable development, and strengthening inclusive global governance.
3. The Republic of South Africa is a vibrant democracy that upholds equality, human rights, and the rule of law. Its Constitution and policies reflect values aligned with the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
4. South Africa is a nation rich in diversity, home to people of many races, cultures, languages, and faiths living together in unity. This inclusivity is a source of national strength and global admiration.
5. The African Union encourages all international partners to engage with South Africa and the wider African continent on the basis of mutual respect, truth, and constructive cooperation, supporting Africa’s continued contribution to global peace, development, and prosperity.
Read the original article on African Union.
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Abuja — Experts and peacebuilding stakeholders have raised the alarm that governance failures, weak state institutions, and exclusionary politics, not armed violence alone, are fuelling the wave of instability sweeping across West Africa.
They stressed that restoring lasting peace and security in the region will depend on inclusive governance, stronger regional collaboration, and community-driven solutions.
The warning came at the second edition of the West Africa Peace and Security Dialogue (WaPSED 2025), held in Abuja.
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The event was jointly organised by the Building Blocks for Peace (BBFORPEACE) Foundation, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), the LAC-LAC Network of Niger Republic, the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflicts (GPPAC) West Africa, and the Society for Peace and Practice.
Speaking at the opening session, Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), said the region’s lingering challenges; from violent extremism and political instability to climate-induced conflicts, highlight the urgent need for inclusive dialogue and homegrown approaches.
“Sustainable peace in West Africa requires strong regional cooperation and locally driven strategies. We must strengthen our institutions, empower communities, and integrate peace education into national development frameworks,” Ochogwu said.
He urged participants to move beyond mere discussions and focus on practical strategies capable of transforming the region’s security and governance landscape.
Also speaking, Mr. Rafiu Adeniran Lawal, Executive Director of the Building Blocks for Peace Foundation and Regional Coordinator of GPPAC West Africa, said the dialogue was convened to explore solutions to the diverse threats undermining stability across the sub-region, ranging from banditry and insurgency to democratic decline and economic hardship.
“Across West Africa, we face persistent herder-farmer clashes, banditry, and insurgency which have disrupted livelihoods and deepened food insecurity.
“Beyond Nigeria, the resurgence of military takeovers in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea reflects a troubling democratic retreat and growing disillusionment with governance,” Lawal noted.
He explained that the 2025 Dialogue, themed ‘Reimagining Peace and Security in West Africa: Local Solutions, Regional Solidarity and Global Partnerships,’ was designed to promote community ownership of peace processes and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders.
“Our goal is to centre real actors and lived experiences. By harnessing local knowledge and regional solidarity, we can chart a new course that places people, not power, at the heart of peacebuilding,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies and the TETFund Centre of Excellence in Security Management, University of Ibadan, said the region’s insecurity is deeply rooted in poor governance, weak leadership, and the failure of states to meet citizens’ expectations.
“The problem is not just a lack of weapons to fight insurgents; it is the weakness of our governance systems. Corruption, poor coordination, and elite competition over state resources have created governance vacuums that non-state actors now exploit,” Prof. Albert said.
He argued that lasting solutions require a balanced approach that combines local innovation, regional solidarity, and international support to tackle governance gaps, inequality, and institutional decay.
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“Peace and security cannot be sustained by governments alone. They must be co-owned by citizens, institutions, and regional partners who share a common vision for stability,” he warned.
Prof. Albert also called on governments to prioritise institution-building, promote accountability, and invest in effective local governance structures capable of addressing community-level grievances.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, security experts, civil society organisations, academics, ECOWAS representatives, and members of the diplomatic community.
Participants agreed that rebuilding trust between governments and citizens, strengthening democracy, and promoting transparent governance are essential for lasting peace in the region.
Read the original article on Vanguard.
AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.
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The Second World Summit for Social Development concluded in Doha on Thursday with calls for countries to move swiftly from commitments to implementation, ensuring that the Doha Political Declaration delivers measurable progress on poverty reduction, decent work and social inclusion.
Speaking at the closing press conference, President of the UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock said the Summit marked a “deliberate shift” from identifying gaps to acting on proven solutions.
“Copenhagen taught us 30 years ago that social development and inclusion are essential for strong societies,” she said. “We promised to leave no one behind. Social development is not a ‘nice to have’ nor an act of charity. It is in the self-interest of every country.“
She warned that hunger and poverty today are not caused by scarcity, but by conflict, inequality and political failures, stressing: “One of the biggest problems is not money as such. It is rather how it is invested.”
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More than 40 Heads of State and Government, over 230 ministers and senior officials, and nearly 14,000 attendees took part in the Summit.
Alongside the formal plenary and roundtable discussions, more than 250 “solution sessions” were held to exchange practical approaches to expanding social protection, improving access to healthcare and education, and supporting work that provides dignity.
‘People expect results’
Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed said the outcome reflects the urgency expressed by civil society, trade unions, community leaders, businesses and youth representatives throughout the week.
“The message has been clear: people expect us to deliver answers, not simply declarations,” she said. “The Doha Political Declaration is not a document for the shelves. It is a commitment to place people at the centre of sustainable development.”
She emphasised that implementation must now focus on accelerating poverty reduction, creating real jobs and ensuring no one is left behind. “We have opened the door in Doha. Now we must walk through it together.“
‘Invest in people’
Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani of Qatar said hosting the Summit reflects her country’s conviction that equality, dignity and inclusion are essential to peace and prosperity.
“Investing in people is the most sustained investment a nation can make,” she said, noting Qatar’s social spending at home and international development partnerships abroad.
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She stressed that the priority now is to ensure that commitments move off the page and into policy, supported by international cooperation and innovative financing.
“The outcomes of this Summit provide a strong foundation,” she said. “What matters most now is implementation.“
Broadcast of the press conference.UN regional bodies to support follow-through
Regional economic commissions said they will assist countries in translating commitments into practical measures.
The Economic Commission for Europe highlighted support for ageing policies, affordable housing, just energy transitions, and better poverty data, helping governments design systems that reach those most at risk.
The Economic Commission for Africa underscored the continent’s “youth potential,” calling for investments in education, skills, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship, in partnership with the African Union and regional institutions.
UN News has been on the ground in Doha covering the Summit throughout the week. Follow our coverage here.
Read the original article on UN News.
AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.
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