integrity and education. In utilising this term in the context of internal displacement,
the AU offers greater protections for women despite their religious, cultural or social
backgrounds. Another important clause on preventing gender-based violence forbids
all forms of SGBV such as rape, enforced prostitution, sexual exploitation and harmful
practices, slavery, recruitment of children and their use in hostilities, forced labour and
human trafficking and smuggling. The AU developed a model law to guide states to
enact the good standards contained in the Convention. Countries like Kenya have
domesticated the Kampala Convention substantively.105
15 years after the CSSDCA, Agenda 2063 was adopted by the AU as an aspirational
standard setting framework to achieve sustainable development on the continent.
Agenda 2063 reinforces the view that democratic cultures are the lynchpin of a
peaceful and secure Africa, calling for an entrenched and flourishing culture of human
rights, democracy, gender equality and inclusion among others.
One of the seven
aspirations in Agenda 2063-Aspiration Four- envisions Africa as a peaceful, secure
and conflict-free with the hope that all guns will be silent by 2020. It is preceded by
Aspiration Three on an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human
rights, justice and the rule of law. Armed conflict, terrorism, extremism, intolerance and
gender-based violence are identified as major threats to human security, peace and
development.
While this section does not outline a comprehensive list of women, peace and security
and governance related instruments, the above outlined are indicative of a strong
resolve by African leadership, civil society and citizens to develop durable solutions
towards conflict prevention, management and resolution. However, the major
challenge has been the gap between policy commitments and implementation and
monitoring. The section below delves into the institutional framework for Africa’s peace
and security architecture in response to the legal and policy frameworks in place to
secure peace in Africa.
105
Act No. 56 of 2012, The Prevention, Protection and Assistance to Internally Displaced Persons and Affected
Communities Act, 2012
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