Zimbabwe's Mugabe calls for collective measures to address conflict, terrorism in Africa

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who is also current Chairperson of the African Union (AU) , has called for collective strategies and measures to overcome conflict, insecurity and terrorism in Africa.

In his statement in connection with Africa Day on Monday, Mugabe, who assumed the rotating chairmanship of the pan-African bloc in January this year, underlined the need for Africa to tirelessly work to end conflict and insecurity on the continent.

Africa Day is celebrated every year on May 25 to commemorate the establishment of the then Organization for African Unity (OAU), and now the African Union (AU) in 1963 in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

"As we celebrate Africa Day, let us acknowledge the challenges that face us. We therefore have to devise collective strategies and measures to overcome conflict, insecurity and terrorism. We must work tirelessly to end conflict and insecurity," said Mugabe.

Welcoming the recent peace agreement in Mali, Mugabe urged other conflict areas in Africa to lay down their arms and settle their differences through dialogue and negotiation.

"This is the only way to make lasting peace which is the essential ingredient to development and prosperity," he said.

He also noted that the African Union (AU) has made great strides both politically and economically to create an environment that safeguards the future of Africa.

Through the African Peace and Security architecture, Mugabe said the Union continues to work tirelessly, in collaboration with our partners, to foster peace and security across the continent.

"The establishment of the African Stand by Force, intended to guarantee peace and security on the continent, becomes more urgent and imperative," he said.

"It is heartening and encouraging that some of our regional standby forces have now reached full operational capability," he added.

"We urge those who have not yet done so, to redouble their efforts so that the African-Stand-By Force is operationalized without further delay," he said.

Regarding the economic sphere, Mugabe noted that the African Union (AU) remains focused on attaining economic integration of the continent.

Reiterating that Africa is richly endowed with vast natural resources, Mugabe underlined the need for African countries to industrialize their economies and leverage the abundant and diverse resources to improve the livelihoods in Africa through rapid eradication of hunger, poverty and disease.

"Time has come for us to industrialize our economies and move away from the continued exportation of our raw materials at very low prices for beneficiation and value addition in other continents, only to return to Africa as finished goods at very high prices," said Mugabe.

Early this year, Africa addressed the issues of the AU's over- dependence on its international cooperating partners, he said recalling that the AU summit decided that this was neither desirable nor sustainable.

"It was therefore decided that new and innovative ways of generating revenue be found so that within five years, the African Union should be able to fund 100% of its operational budget, 75% of program budget and at least, 25% for its peace keeping operations," said Mugabe.

"These are targets that AU Member States have committed themselves to achieving so as to give themselves greater ownership of their organisation," he added.

Mugabe was elected AU Chairperson at the 24th AU summit in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa and he has taken over the chairmanship from Mauritania's President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who was elected for the position at the 22nd AU summit in January 2014. Endi