Peace and Security summary

The Commission for Africa has identified that for some African countries, violent conflict is the biggest single obstacle to development. Africa has experienced more violent conflict than any other continent in the last four decades and an increased investment in conflict prevention, mediation and peacekeeping, with support from the international community, would help create a climate of confidence and security.

Proposed Solutions

• To build the capacity of African states and societies to prevent and manage conflict.
• Better management of government incomes from natural resources to prevent them from being used to fund hostilities.
• Controlling the trade in small arms.
• African regional organisations and the UN to help prevent and resolve conflict through effective early warning, mediation and peacekeeping.
• Post conflict peace building and development to prevent states emerging from violent conflict sliding back into it.