Geneva, SWITZERLANDUN Secretary General Antonio Guterres
More African countries should heed the UN
call for a global ceasefire to push back deadly COVID-19, said UN
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday.
Marking
Africa Day, the annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organization of
African Unity, now the African Union (AU), on May 25, 1963, the UN chief said
in his message that the COVID-19 pandemic “threatens to derail progress” which
would enable countries to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and
development targets set out in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The
AU has established a task force to develop a continent-wide strategy and
appointed special envoys to mobilize international support, said the UN chief.
Its Peace and Security Council has also taken steps to counter the negative
impact of COVID-19 on the implementation of critical peace agreements and
reconciliation efforts.
He
noted that the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention established a
response fund, while African member states have undertaken “robust measures to
contain the spread of the virus and mitigate the socio-economic impacts.”
Guterres
welcomed the AU’s support for his global ceasefire call, an imperative that
also reflects the AU’s 2020 theme: “Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive
Conditions for Africa’s Development.”
“Armed
groups in Cameroon, Sudan and South Sudan have responded to the call and
declared unilateral ceasefires. I implore other armed movements and governments
in Africa to do likewise. I also welcome the support of African countries for
my call for peace in the home, and an end to all forms of violence, including
against women and girls,” he added.
Some
20 African countries are scheduled to hold elections this year, some of which
are likely to be postponed due to the pandemic, with potential consequences for
stability and peace, noted the secretary-general.
“I
urge African political actors to engage in inclusive and sustained political
dialogue to ease tensions around elections and uphold democratic practices.”
Last
week, the UN issued a policy brief outlining the impacts of the pandemic on the
continent. “We are calling for debt relief and action to maintain food
supplies, protect jobs and cushion the continent against lost income and export
earnings. African countries, like everyone, everywhere, should also have quick,
equal and affordable access to any eventual vaccine and treatment.”
An
opportunity now exists, for African governments to “use this moment” to shape
new policies that bolster health systems, improve social protection and pursue
climate-friendly pathways, he said.
Targeting
measures to those employed in the informal sector, the vast majority of whom
are women, will be an important step to recovery, said Guterres, as will
empowering women to ensure their full participation and leadership.
“The inclusion and leadership of young people will also be crucial every step of the way,” said Guterres.
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