New York
UN
Deputy Secretary-General's video message on Occasion of the Ninth Annual High-Level Dialogue on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance Theme: Silencing the Guns through Building Resilient Democracies
Statements | Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General
Statements | Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General
I am pleased to join you for this dialogue.
The United Nations strongly supports the African Union’s Silencing the Guns Initiative and its Lusaka Master Roadmap.
In recent years, the UN Peacebuilding Fund has contributed nearly $400 million to support its implementation. Technical assistance to the recently operationalized AU Mediation Support Unit and the Network of African Women Mediators known as FemWise are important examples of our collaboration.
Africa’s democracies are facing severe tests. As COVID-19 exacerbates inequalities and deepens pre-existing fractures, Africa’s people, especially the continent’s youth, are demanding change, respect for human rights and stronger democratic governance.
I would like to highlight three imperatives:
First, as African governments seek to recover from the pandemic in a way that accelerates implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, greater investment is needed to expand the reach and to improve the quality of public services, including social protections, health care, education, water and sanitation. This requires bold national leadership coupled with effective and adequate financial support from the international community and international financial institutions.
Second, governments must work to strengthen social contract. People must be free to choose their leaders, and their choices must be respected. Leaders must uphold the normative standards for democratic transitions, defend human rights and ensure good governance. Building effective institutions and independent justice sectors must be seen as a priority. The AU Charter of Governance, Elections and Democracy is a solid touchstone to guard against democratic reversals.
Third, women and youth must be included in leadership roles. With the joint AU/UN African Women Leaders Network– which now has 25 National Chapters across Africa – we hope to strengthen women’s economic and political empowerment. And with the UN/AU Youth for Peace Africa Program, we will continue to strengthen capacity building on peace education. We must find concrete ways to bring women and young people into the political and economic process – whether in building peace, ensuring accountability or driving the shift to greener economies.
You can count on the United Nations to continue to support the efforts of Africa’s people in pushing for stronger democracy, human rights and governance.
Thank you.
The United Nations strongly supports the African Union’s Silencing the Guns Initiative and its Lusaka Master Roadmap.
In recent years, the UN Peacebuilding Fund has contributed nearly $400 million to support its implementation. Technical assistance to the recently operationalized AU Mediation Support Unit and the Network of African Women Mediators known as FemWise are important examples of our collaboration.
Africa’s democracies are facing severe tests. As COVID-19 exacerbates inequalities and deepens pre-existing fractures, Africa’s people, especially the continent’s youth, are demanding change, respect for human rights and stronger democratic governance.
I would like to highlight three imperatives:
First, as African governments seek to recover from the pandemic in a way that accelerates implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, greater investment is needed to expand the reach and to improve the quality of public services, including social protections, health care, education, water and sanitation. This requires bold national leadership coupled with effective and adequate financial support from the international community and international financial institutions.
Second, governments must work to strengthen social contract. People must be free to choose their leaders, and their choices must be respected. Leaders must uphold the normative standards for democratic transitions, defend human rights and ensure good governance. Building effective institutions and independent justice sectors must be seen as a priority. The AU Charter of Governance, Elections and Democracy is a solid touchstone to guard against democratic reversals.
Third, women and youth must be included in leadership roles. With the joint AU/UN African Women Leaders Network– which now has 25 National Chapters across Africa – we hope to strengthen women’s economic and political empowerment. And with the UN/AU Youth for Peace Africa Program, we will continue to strengthen capacity building on peace education. We must find concrete ways to bring women and young people into the political and economic process – whether in building peace, ensuring accountability or driving the shift to greener economies.
You can count on the United Nations to continue to support the efforts of Africa’s people in pushing for stronger democracy, human rights and governance.
Thank you.