Staff Reporter
The unconstitutional change of government and all acts of terrorism are unwelcomed vices in the African continent, Cabinet has said.
Speaking after the 14th Cabinet session yesterday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Monica Mutsvangwa said that the 16th Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government which was held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on 28 May 2022 agreed to tackle the scourge of unconstitutional change of governments and terrorism as they were at the core of complex political and socio-economic challenges bedeviling the continent.
“The Summit which was held under the theme “Robust Response, Democracy and Collective Security,” provided the proper platform for AU Heads of State and Government to deliberate on the adoption of timeous strategic interventions to address the two interrelated vices of terrorism and unconstitutional changes of Government, which are at the core of complex political and socio-economic challenges bedeviling the continent.
“In particular, the efforts of the AU, the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and individual Member States to address the threat of terrorism and vulnerability of African States were highlighted. The Summit concluded that there should be adherence to the AU principles, norms and shared values,” said the Minister.
Minister Mutsvangwa added that the Summit further agreed to implement and strengthen the existing AU instruments and decisions aimed at eradicating the scourge of terrorism and violent extremism on the continent. The same Summit further resolved to expedite the operationalization of the African Standby Force (ASF) and to continue engaging the United Nations regarding the utilisation of assessed contributions for the benefit of the AU-mandated Peace Support Operations.
On the unconstitutional change of Governments, Minister Mutsvangwa said that the Summit agreed to strengthen the interface between the African Governance Architecture (AGA), African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), in order to facilitate the consolidation of good governance, particularly constitutionalism and the rule of law.
The Minister further informed that the same Summit further agreed to create a conducive environment for the effective participation of women and youths in political processes which Zimbabwe is already implementing.
Minister Mutsvangwa added that Cabinet stressed that the Summit’s major outcome was the unanimous affirmation by African leaders that terrorism and unconstitutional changes of Government were not welcome on the continent.
