“We see the Tangier conference as a foundation for our efforts to address the interdependence between peace, security, good governance and sustainable development,” Adeoye said during a meeting with the Moroccan press accredited to the AU in the presence of Ambassador Mohamed Arrouchi, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom to the AU and UNECA.
The Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission, who took this opportunity to thank the Kingdom of Morocco for hosting the first continental political conference on the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus: The Promise of Regional Integration, noted that this meeting was of great importance for several reasons, the first being that it is the first of its kind, organized at the highest level.
“It was an opportunity to engage in exchanges and discussions as we examined the linkages and interconnections between peace, security and development,” Adeoye noted.
“We are very pleased to have been able to bring together over 200 participants from Africa and elsewhere over the course of three days, enabling them to examine the linkages that strengthen the foundations of the AU Constitutive Act and other relevant AU instruments that aim to promote peace and security on the continent within the framework of the African solutions to Africa’s problems and in relation to the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Development Agenda,” the AU senior official said.
“So this interconnection is already embedded, but it is the practice that is crucial. How can Africa move from promoting industrialization to promoting peace and stability? As the popular expression goes, no peace without development and no development without peace. This is the essence of the Tangier Process,” reaffirmed the AU official.
He added: “We are very proud of this inaugural summit which has brought together leaders and practitioners in the field”.
“As we tackle the challenges of terrorism, violent extremism, radicalization, insurgency and unconstitutional changes of government, we must remember that only development can ensure lasting peace,” Adeoye said.
For the AU Commissioner, Morocco’s role since rejoining the AU has been critical and Morocco’s leadership of the AU PSC for the month of October, with the step taken in Tangier, has also been very crucial.
“It is important to see Morocco’s role in supporting efforts to promote security and peace in the Sahel, food security in the Lake Chad Basin, and improved security in many parts of the continent,” Adeoye said.
