Thank you Mr. Chairman, I am not going to address this Conference only on my behalf. I welcome you here on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission. Our interest in this issue of conflict is very deep. We have had a number of meetings and seminars on conflict resolution, one in April, which looked at the economic causes of conflict; and as recently as 4 to 6 October this year, ECA, together with the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights technicians in this very room held a seminar on the issues of conflict in Africa. Let me remind you of some of the conclusions and recommendations that were made at that Conference.

These are that:

It is clear that the post-independence history of the African continent especially in the period following the end of the Cold war has shown a prevalence of internal conflicts within states, with devastating effects on their populations and economic resources. Such conflicts, originate among other causes, from systematic and wide-spread violation of Human Rights, diversion of democracy, politicization of ethinicity and race, discrimination against members of society, and foreign interference linked to the exploitation of resources as well as the arms trade. The Conference also noted that double historical factors such as slave trade and colonization lead to the arbitrary delineation of boundaries and implementation of economic exploitative policies which continue to have negative effects on the economic and social development of Africa. And they are indeed the breeding grounds for ethnic and racial conflicts. It was stated, in fact that there is a clear link between violation of Human Rights, especially economic, social and cultural rights and the outbreak of ethnic conflicts in Africa.

Therefore, the Conference recommended the promotion of forms of good governance such as full participation in political life for all, non-discriminatory treatment of all regions and ethnic groups within a country, respect of the rights of minorities as well as accountability, transparency and the entrenchment of the rule of law as essential elements of any conflict prevention strategy. It also recognized that the realization of economic, social and cultural rights, and the right to development, are all of crucial relevance to the prevention of ethnic or national conflicts in Africa or any other region for that matter. It, however, noted that in spite of the valuable efforts and progress in sustainable development, Africa continues to encounter obstacles and difficulties which inhibit the well- being and prosperity of its people, save accentuating tensions and conflicts.

It stressed that the democratization process currently evolving in Africa has the objective of ensuring African people full enjoyment of their rights, fundamental freedoms for all peoples with respect to their religion, ethnic background, political opinions, agenda, and guaranteeing them equal protection under the rule of law. Although there are mechanisms and processes that have been put in place to monitor, report or show us potential conflicts, particularly with regard to Human Rights violations, they are still in the early stages of development. It is evident that these activities will play a major role in both the prevention of conflicts as well as the reduction of contemporary, and continuing violations of Human Rights.

The Conference therefore recommended that countries should institute democratic systems of government that guarantee full access to and representation of all sectors of the population. It also recommended equitable distribution of wealth and access to economic advancement and full realization of the right of development of all groups of people. It also urged for the establishment of new structures to review traditional systems of conflict resolution and mediation. It urged further that globalization and its impact on accelerating the exploitation and the exclusion of Africans from their full benefit of economic and political development should be subjected to various studies. It concluded that the impunity of the violation of Human Rights is a serious obstacle to political stability and thus sustainable development and called for all countries in the region to ratify the status establishing an African court on Human and People's Rights and the International Criminal Court.

These Mr. Chairman, are some of the issues that were raised just two months ago and we thought it would be useful to have them here as we start this Conference so that we can take them into our stride as we deliberate on them in the next few days. I wish to take this opportunity to wish all of you constructive discussions in the next three days.

I thank you.

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