Keep Africa's guns 'from firing in the first place', UN political chief urges.

Arms control, the illegal exploitation of natural resources, and the United Nations' role in 'silencing the guns in Africa' were the focus of a Security Council's debate on Wednesday, aimed at conflict prevention across the continent.

Noting that two years of joint UN-African Union (AU) efforts have strengthened the continent's ability to detect and defuse crises before they escalate, Rosemary DiCarlo, Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, said that while 'silencing the guns for good requires the participation of all', it also means 'keeping them from firing in the first place'.

Adding that resilient societies were key to the objective, she argued the need for building strong institutions, good governance and encouraging inclusive politics.

While acknowledging that the continent has, in recent years, made 'great strides' in deepening democracy and democratic institutions, she pointed out that numerous challenges remained, such as the 'marginalization of certain groups from political processes, the prevalence of a 'winner-take-all' approach, corruption, and the mismanagement of natural resources'.

Ms. DiCarlo noted that 'progress has slowed' in efforts to increase women's leadership and meaningful participation in political processes, stressing: 'We must redouble our efforts in this critical pursuit'.

She maintained that in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union's own Agenda 2063, the UN continues to work with the AU and the Regional Economic Communities to help build strong national institutions and address the root causes of armed conflict.

'Across the continent, entrepreneurship is up, access to education has increased and child mortality has declined', she observed, recalling the Secretary-General's declaration that 'a wind of hope is blowing in Africa'.

African countries themselves 'have a central role to play' in silencing the guns at home, but 'it is vital that the international community lend its support', she said.

African countries 'trapped in a vicious cycle'

Ramtane Lamamra, AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2020, told the Chamber that the tremendous efforts 'to make peace a viable and lasting reality across the continent' has resulted in 'notable progress' in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts in Africa.

He said joint initiatives in recent months steering countries away from crisis, were responsible for 'generating optimism about a...