Former Madagascar FM Vows to Work towards Resolving Conflicts in Africa Peacefully

Addis Ababa December 13/2024 (ENA)— The Former Foreign Affairs Minister of Madagascar, Richard Randriamandrato, who is running for the position of African Union Commission Chairperson, pledged to work hard towards resolving conflicts peacefully in Africa if elected as the Chairperson of the African Union

Candidates for the Chairperson position held the Mjadala Afrika Leadership debate, at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa today.

The Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation broadcasted the debate live from the African Union Assembly Hall in Addis Ababa.

Candidates vying for the positions of Chairperson are Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Raila Amolo Odinga and Richard Randriamandrato from Djibouti, Kenya and Madagascar respectively.

Richard Randriamandrato in his debate mentioned about the several factors that have to be taken into consideration regarding peace and security of the continent.

He stressed the importance of resolving conflicts peacefully, and this is one of the principles of the African Union, just like the principle of noninterference.

When exactly do we talk about noninterference or non-indifference, and how do we use them to silence the guns, he questioned stating that “that is a situation in which we find ourselves in, and if I am chosen by the heads of states and government as chairperson of the commission, I will make sure that the African Union Commission would actually work towards resolving our conflicts peacefully, because we have that in the constitutive act of Africa, of the African Union.”

 

He said AUC has the Peace and Security Council, the peace architecture of the African Union, adding that “But we also have the United Nations Security Council, and then bilaterally, we've got efforts that are being underway, and progress in some areas, in some regions, where we have long standing conflicts, and they would also have the opportunity of ensuring that there is solidarity with the United Nations, the African Union and the United Nations.”

This is a framework that will actually enable us to sit down with the international community and talk about crisis in Africa, he stated.  

Concerning the two permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council, he said “we all know the importance and the urgency of having these two seats, and we have to seize this opportunity.”  

Randriamandrato also stressed that “we have to make sure that we can actually speak with one voice on the choice of who will represent Africa on the United Nations Security Council. It's not going to be easy. It will be up to the heads of states to decide who will be the continent's representative.”

 

Regarding development issues, Richard Randriamandrato stated that the commercial trade between African countries is only 12.6 percent which is very low.

However, he said “a continent such as Europa and America, they go up to more than 50 percent so what we need to do is to continue with the effort that we're doing in this regard.”

He mentioned about the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and stressed the need to develop the economy at the continental level as trade can effectively become a source of economic dynamism.

“If we manage to ensure that a free trade can happen very quickly, it is very possible that we shall triple our performance in economic development,” he underscored.

Randriamandrato has also highlighted the importance free trade and the attitude to learn how to master capital virtues.