President William Ruto has called for stronger African-led interventions to resolve conflicts that have for decades undermined growth and development across the continent.
Addressing the opening session of the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Yokohama, Japan, President Ruto said insecurity in Somalia, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan, South Sudan, and the Sahel remains a major impediment to investment and prosperity.
“Conflict continues to undermine development and opportunities in several parts of Africa. It is therefore imperative that Africa becomes a stable and ready continent for investment and development,” President Ruto told delegates.
He commended the efforts of regional blocs in peace-building, noting that the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) are jointly pursuing peace in Eastern DRC, while the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is spearheading dialogue in Sudan and Somalia.
“To make peace-building and peace-making sustainable, African leaders have initiated reforms of the African Union institutions, including the Peace Fund,” he said. “Our resolve is to make the fund agile and responsive to African needs.”
The Head of State emphasised that Africa’s future depends on stability, urging international partners to support the continent’s push for durable solutions. “Peace is the foundation of prosperity. Without peace, Africa cannot harness its vast potential for investment, innovation, and development,” he added.
President Ruto’s remarks come at a time when the African Union is stepping up reforms to ensure the continent takes ownership of its security challenges while strengthening global partnerships.
