Liberia’s Foreign Minister, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan has stressed the need for an environment of peace and security which he noted is essential for all nations.

Minister Ngafuan made the assertion when he represented President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf at the Elysee Summit on Peace and Security in Africa held in Paris, France over the weekend.

 After conveying the Liberian President deepest condolences to the good and sisterly nation of South Africa, the entire African Continent and the world at large for the death of President Nelson Mandela, Minister Ngafuan told distinguished world leaders and other dignitaries that the Africa of today considers threats to peace and security an unnecessary and unfortunate distraction from the focus on socio-economic development and political progress.

Addressing French President Francois Hollande who chairs the summit and others, the Liberian Foreign Minister noted that while conflict mitigating and/ or resolution efforts are worth commending, the world needs to focus more attention on conflict prevention, as violent conflicts exact a very huge negative toll on all societies.

“Accordingly, Liberia associates itself with calls for more robust, honest, and concerted efforts to stop the proliferation of small arms in Africa”, he remarked.

Minister Ngafuan then used the occasion to commend President Hollande, and the good people of France on behalf of Liberia, for the robust intervention in Mali, which, according to him was pivotal in stabilizing the country and creating an ambience for the restoration of democracy and constitutional order.

He stated that France’s recent initiative to assist African countries reverse the deteriorating security situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) is an effort that is also deserving of Liberia’s commendation.

 

Foreign Minister Ngafuan told global delegates at the Summit that Liberia associates itself with calls for more rebuts, honest, and concerted efforts to stop the proliferation of small arms in Africa. He noted that small arms have fuelled many violent conflicts on the Continent in addition to dealing with other problems including the unemployment challenge; especially youth unemployment which he emphasized should be put on the front burner.

 

“Youth unemployment is a threat to peace and security, especially in post-conflict fragile states”, he stated.

 

In order to promote peace and security in Africa, African countries need to be their brother’s keeper, Minister Ngafuan added. He therefore based his caution on the fact that many subversive activities and conflicts in African countries are made possible because of support from neighboring countries. 

 

“Therefore, ultimately we will gain enough traction in our effort to promote peace and security on the Continent if each and every African country comments never to use its territory or resources in support of schemes that subvert a neighboring country or, for that matter, any other African country”, the Liberian Foreign Minister said.