African Union
(Addis Ababa)

Cairo Call for Peace: Make Peace Happen in Africa Without Delay

2 September 2010

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"We make this call for peace in Africa, and appeal to all stakeholders, including women, youth, the African civil society, intellectuals and the private sector, as well as all international partners, to join and actively support the initiative to make peace happen in 2010 and beyond, for the achievement of peace between nations and non?violence in our homes, communities and schools requires everyone's involvement and support" says the Cairo Call for Peace. The African Union (AU) High-Level Retreat on the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa which kicked off on Thursday 26 August 2010 in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, ended on 28 with a call for peace.

Holding under the theme "Making peace happen in Africa in 2010 and beyond: developing common strategies and enhancing coordination", the retreat reviewed the situations on the ground, identifying the challenges being faced, as well as how to strengthen current efforts to advance peace, security, stability and reconciliation. In that regard, the retreat reiterated that the onus for conflict prevention, resolution and peace building falls primarily on national stakeholders. They were called upon to take full ownership of peace processes in their respective countries, and pledge to support them and to contribute to the strengthening of their capabilities. The centrality of the culture of peace, especially through education, so that future generations can be spared the scourge of war and violence was also underlined.

With regard to the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) on 21st September, the meeting pledged full support for the cessation of hostilities in all conflict areas and the consolidation of peace where it has been achieved. The support applies also to the other activities planned for Peace Day such as intensified distribution of humanitarian supplies, materials and services to communities in conflict areas, the observation of one minute of silence for peace across Africa, at 10.00 am GMT, the implementation of humanitarian and other related activities by the armed and security forces, and the teaching of the Make Peace Happen lesson in all schools on Peace Day.

The meeting encouraged the AU to organize another retreat next year and to institutionalize it thereafter.

The Cairo Call for Peace is available at www.africa-union.org


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