The Thabo Mbeki Foundation (TMF), in collaboration with the Institute for Global Dialogue, the Human Sciences Research Council, and the United Nations Development Programme, has announced its inaugural Annual Peace and Security Dialogue (APSD). The event is set to take place from October 4 to 6 in Gauteng, bringing together 150 political and economic leaders, scholars, and policymakers from across Africa.
Themed “Towards a Peaceful and Secure South Africa: Challenges and Opportunities,” the APSD aims to foster critical thinking and generate practical solutions to the continent’s pressing peace and security issues. Former South African President and TMF leader Thabo Mbeki stressed the significance of this dialogue, noting, “Africa faces numerous peace and security challenges that have undermined our efforts to achieve development goals and eroded trust in leaders and institutions.”
Mbeki highlighted that many African nations are currently struggling with economic difficulties, conflicts, and governance issues. The APSD aims to strengthen leadership capacities, cultivate a culture of dialogue and cooperation, and catalyze action through the TMF’s convening power.
Key features of the APSD will include keynote speeches, panel discussions, and invitation-only roundtable sessions. Participants will encompass leaders from various African nations, policymakers, scholars, and representatives from civil society and business sectors. Special attention will be given to the Sahel and Horn of Africa regions, which have faced some of the most complex and protracted conflicts in recent years.
The agenda will explore current challenges such as internal conflicts, terrorism, and transnational organized crime, while emphasizing African-led solutions and the roles of regional and international partners. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the need for a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution, stating, “Addressing the root causes of conflict and crisis requires a holistic approach that encompasses political, security, humanitarian, human rights, and development dimensions.”
The APSD will enable participants to examine various factors contributing to conflict and insecurity, including poverty, inequality, marginalization, governance deficits, human rights violations, environmental degradation, climate change, and external interference. Guterres noted that the dialogue would also explore existing and potential tools for addressing these issues, such as the African Peace and Security Architecture, the African Governance Architecture, and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
By promoting collaboration among African stakeholders and raising awareness of ongoing peace and security challenges, the APSD aims to generate practical solutions that positively impact Africa’s economic, political, and cultural landscape.