Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, has called for earnest introspection and a new leadership paradigm to address the persistent conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism and humanitarian crises confronting Africa.  

He said the continent could not continue to normalise the tragedies that had plagued many African countries and must adopt a new path anchored in tolerance, compassion and a deeper understanding of the root causes of conflict.  

Mr Ablakwa made the call when he addressed the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union on Saturday in Luanda, Angola on the Strengthening of Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.  

“The time has come for us to carry out an earnest introspection. The seeds of our continent cannot continue on this tragedy, where we have normalised conflicts, normalised terrorism, violent extremism, and normalised humanitarian crisis,” he said.  

“We need to take a new path.”   

The Foreign Affairs Minister said although African leaders had pursued various African Union paradigms and protocols and continued to hold meetings to recapitalise the Peace Fund, greater attention must be given to changing attitudes and leadership approaches.  

“Perhaps what we should begin to recapitalise, in all humility, is our heart and our mindset,” he said.  

Mr Ablakwa questioned whether African leaders could become more tolerant, compassionate and visionary in addressing the underlying causes of conflicts on the continent.  

He said increasing financial resources for peace initiatives alone would not resolve Africa’s security challenges without a fundamental change in leadership and governance.  

“Can we be more tolerant of each other? Can we be more compassionate? Can we be more visionary about the root causes of conflict? We can have $1 billion, $10 billion, $100 billion in a peace fund if we do not change course, if we do not adopt a new leadership paradigm,” he stated.  

The Minister drew attention to the growing desperation among Africa’s youth, citing recent attempts by thousands of young Africans to enter Ceuta (Spain) and the deaths recorded during the dangerous migration journeys.  

He said the situation reflected the urgent need for African governments to create opportunities for young people and address poverty and inequality.  

Mr Ablakwa noted that millions of Africans still lacked access to electricity, while many young people continued to risk their lives crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of better opportunities outside the continent.  

Africa, he noted, must recommit itself to job creation, industrialisation, genuine decentralisation and the equitable distribution of the continent’s wealth.  

“We need to recommit to job creation, industrialisation, real Decentralisation, sharing the wealth of this continent – the diamonds, the gold, the bauxite, the oil and gas that we have and the blessings,” he said.  

Describing Africa as the richest continent in terms of natural resources, Mr Ablakwa said the challenge was ensuring that those resources translated into improved living conditions and opportunities for African citizens, particularly the youth.  

“How can we share these resources for the African young people? This is a new paradigm that we need for our continent,” he added.  

The 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council focused on strengthening Africa’s mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution as the continent continues to confront complex security, political and humanitarian challenges.