This decision was taken in the context of the continued peace and security challenges facing the continent. Indeed, while significant strides have been made in the resolution of conflicts in Africa, large parts of the continent continue to experience conflict, insecurity and Instability, with its attendant humanitarian consequences and socio‐economic impact. Armed conflicts in Africa kill thousands of people every year; create humanitarian disasters; wipe out livelihoods and wealth that ordinary people have worked hard to accumulate over their lifetimes; and make sustainable economic development impossible. There is also a more profound loss: the destruction of hope for a better future.
Against this background, the Year of Peace and Security will be an opportunity for African people and leaders, as well as African institutions, in partnership with the international community, to review current efforts at peace on the continent, with a view to strengthening them and, where appropriate, launching new initiatives for the promotion of peace and security. Whilst celebrating the achievements of the past decade, the programme for the Year
of Peace and Security will also seek to build on them to address ongoing challenges. The objectives of Year of Peace will be to give added momentum to peace and security efforts onthe continent; give greater visibility to ongoing and past efforts by the AU on the ground; tospeed up the implementation of commitments made by Member States in various relevantAU’s instruments; harmonize all efforts to promote peace and security, including with those
being undertaken at grass root level.
More specifically, in the context of the Year of Peace and Security, the Commissionintends to initiate a number of activities: some of these are symbolic, outreach activities aimedat communicating and mobilizing the African public throughout the Year, while others willconsist of initiatives and efforts by relevant AU policy organs to speed up the resolution ofexisting conflicts and crises and consolidate peace where it has been achieved.
The overarching message for all the activities that will be carried out and the advocacy programme is, quite simply, “Make Peace Happen”. This message highlights the need to mobilize all stakeholders for them to take ownership of this initiative and commit to actions that will make possible the achievement of peace.
In the meantime, the Chairperson of the Commission pledges the commitment of the entire AU Commission to intensify its efforts in the area of peace and security and appeals to African Governments, people, media, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to take advantage of the Year of Peace and Security to rededicate themselves to the realization of the objective of a conflict‐free continent.
Addis Ababa, 9 January 2010