Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has called for African leaders to undertake an honest introspection into the real causes of conflict on the continent, warning against the normalization of violence and extremism.
Addressing the African Union Executive Council’s 26th Extraordinary Session on Conflict Resolution and Prevention, Ablakwa declared that Africa is “running out of time” to create a transformed future. “The seats of our continent cannot continue on this tragedy, where we have normalized conflicts, normalized terrorism, violent extremism, and normalized humanitarian crisis. We need to take a new path,” he said.
He urged leaders to confront the root drivers of instability, citing injustice, lack of opportunities for the youth, underdevelopment, corruption, resource exploitation, intolerance, insincerity, and proxy conflicts as the key factors fueling unrest.
Ablakwa reminded his colleagues of the recent images of more than 72,000 young Africans breaching fences to enter Ceuta, Spain, where 111 lost their lives, stressing that such tragedies highlight the urgency of silencing the guns. He insisted that resources must be diverted from funding conflicts to creating jobs and opportunities for Africa’s youth.
His remarks underscored a broader appeal for a new leadership paradigm that prioritizes compassion, vision, and practical solutions to Africa’s challenges.
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