We discussed how the conflicts on the continent have their sources in the legacy of colonialism, economic exclusion, political intolerance, social polarisation, artificial borders and unequal access to resources.
We noted that NEPAD
- ignores all these factors and approaches these problems mainly as technical peace-keeping operations;
- does not point to the structural adjustment policies of the IMF and World Bank in exacerbating conflicts leading to further wars;
- does not point to the interests of corporations, war profiteers and war-lords, in their determination to control and exploit our resources, such as oil, diamonds, and other precious resources, as a major source of war and conflict in Africa
We conclude that
- Peace based on and guaranteeing human security requires an environment that fulfils people's needs, and livelihood needs free from all forms of discrimination
- Peace demands a Pan-African response to the divisions and tensions created by the legacy of arbitrary colonial borders and divisive social relations.
- The Kampala Declaration establishing the Conference on Security, Stability, Development and Cooperation (CSSDCA) can be an important instrument for peace building.
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