President Nana Akufo-Addo has said peacekeeping efforts, while valuable, are insufficient to ensure long-term stability in Africa.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday, he highlighted the importance of addressing underlying issues such as poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunity, which continue to fuel conflicts across the continent.

He argued that without tackling these root causes, peacekeeping alone cannot guarantee sustainable peace.

President Akufo-Addo emphasised that true stability must come from within African nations, driven by efforts to uplift communities and create equitable opportunities for all.

Though well-intentioned, the President pointed out that external interventions often fail to address the structural challenges perpetuating unrest.

He called for a more holistic approach, one that combines peacekeeping with development-focused initiatives to break the cycle of conflict.

President Akufo-Addo urged the international community to partner with African countries in addressing both the internal and external factors contributing to instability.

He stressed the need for a comprehensive strategy that fosters peace through development and inclusivity, rather than relying solely on military interventions.

“Peacekeeping alone is not enough, we must address the potential causes of conflict, poverty, inequality and lack of opportunity.”

"…However, peace cannot be imposed from the outside it must be imposed from within. African nations must take ownership of the security, and the African Union needs to strengthen itself to be able to respond swiftly to threats.”