'State Institutions Are Key to Africa's Peace Challenges'

Greater investment in state institutions is critical to counter peace and security challenges in Africa, Cristina Duarte, UN special adviser on Africa said, while briefing ambassadors during a debate to examine capacity building for sustaining peace on the continent, and to explore the way forward.

Duarte highlighted how African countries' efforts to both prevent and address violence are being undermined by external factors such as competition over natural resources, which fuels conflict, to the increasing presence of global terrorist networks that are gaining footholds in some regions.

The council also heard from Muhammad Abdul Muhith, the head of the UN's Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), which has supported capacity-building initiatives in Africa. Muhith shared observations from lessons learned in places such as the Central African Republic, Liberia and Burundi, addressing issues that include gender equality and youth empowerment. "Although enhancing capacity building for sustaining peace is a complex process, and measures must be tailored to the specific country and regional conditions," he said stressing that inclusivity is key.