Roundup: Participants at Lome talks call for closer partnership on Africa's security

Most participants attending the Africa-China-U.S. two-day tripartite talks for peace in Africa that opened on Wednesday are calling for a win-win partnership between Africa and China as well as the U.S. in order to boost security on the continent.

The talks, being held in the run up to an extraordinary security summit of the African Union later this year in Lome, will focus on improving maritime security and promoting peace in the Sahel.

About 30 African, Chinese and American diplomats are taking part in the tripartite talks that are being held behind closed doors.

Those taking part in the talks include the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in West Africa and the Sahel Mohamed Ibn Chambas, special representative of the Chinese Government for African Affairs Zhong Jianhua, and Princeton Lyman, senior advisor to the U.S. President.

Other participants include representatives of the Economic Community of West African States, the Economic Community of Central African States, the Gulf of Guinea Commission, the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the G-5 Sahel.

"This first day of the tripartite talks enabled us to lay the foundation for fruitful collaboration between the three parties with a view of carrying out an effective war against maritime piracy in Africa, especially in the Gulf of Guinea," Chambas, told Xinhua in an interview in the Togolese capital.

He said the African continent which has maritime security challenges, requires strategic partners to overcome the challenges.

"China and the U.S., two global powers and members of the UN Security Council, have close relations with Africa. If the two powers can cooperate with Africa, especially in the area of maritime security, Africa will benefit not only from their expertise but also from their technology in fighting against piracy," the UN envoy said.

By harmonizing our efforts and means in a win-win partnership, Africa, China and the U.S. will achieve tangible results in the fight against all forms of trafficking through the sea on the African continent, Chambas said.

Togo's Foreign Minister Robert Dussey urged participants to take the opportunity to propose pragmatic solutions to the security challenges facing the African continent.

"Whether on sea or land, the issue of peace and security in Africa is a major challenge that we can no longer neglect or ignore," he said.

"The situation is very serious that measures so far taken, whether at the national or regional level, cannot achieve the desired results," Togo's chief diplomat said.

Due to the worsening security situation, there is need to urgently review our plans and strategies to achieve lasting peace on the African continent, Dussey said. Endit