Addis ababa: Angola advocated on Friday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for the need to strengthen Africa's political, institutional, and financial mechanisms to respond more effectively to humanitarian crises caused by armed conflicts and forced population displacements. The position was presented by Angola's Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU), Miguel Bembe, during a high-level interactive session held at the African Union headquarters with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Angolan diplomat expressed concern about the persistence of pockets of instability in regions such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes Region, as these crises continue to cause mass displacement, food insecurity, and the disintegration of numerous families. Miguel Bembe also highlighted the role played by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross in protecting civilian populations and upholding International Humanitarian Law in conflict contexts.
As part of African initiatives to promote peace, the ambassador referred to the Extraordinary Session of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on Conflict Resolution in Africa, to be held in Luanda on August 29 and 30 of this year. Convened at the initiative of the President of the Republic, Joo Louren§o, in his capacity as African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa, the meeting will analyze the strengthening of conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms on the continent.
According to Miguel Bembe, the summit's deliberations will have a particular focus on strengthening the financial and institutional capacities of the African Union, in order to ensure faster and more sustainable responses to peace and security challenges. The diplomat considered that the initiative reaffirms Angola's leadership role in the African peace and security architecture.
During his speech, Miguel Bembe also highlighted the holding of the fourth edition of the Pan-African Forum for the Culture of Peace and Non-Violence - Luanda Biennial, scheduled for October 22 and 23, 2026. He stated that the event will constitute a space for promoting a culture of peace, intergenerational dialogue, and conflict prevention, reinforcing Angola's contribution to the stability and development of the African continent.
