May 09, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has called on African leaders to urgently address the ongoing violence in Sudan.
Speaking at the 10th General Assembly of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM), in Abuja, Mrs Buhari said all hands must be on deck to prevent the crisis from escalating further.
Mrs Buhari, who highlighted the devastating effects of insecurity and violence, particularly on women and children, also called on African First Ladies to intensify efforts towards ending gender-based violence and promoting peace on the continent.
According to Mrs Buhari, “Recent events have revived the need for more concerted action regarding the issue of women’s peace and security in Africa.
“Issues of banditry, insurgency, internal strife, and even coup d’états have unfortunately continued. Countries that suffer from these problems are witnessing stalled development.
“Peace Building Initiatives are currently ongoing to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where women and children have felt the harsh effects of the conflict.
“Another humanitarian window has just been exposed with the sudden eruption of violence in Sudan. All hands must be on deck to ensure that the problems are not allowed to escalate. AFLPM is open to engaging with all relevant bodies in this regard.”
The African First Ladies Peace Mission was established in 1995 to promote peace, stability, and development in Africa.
The mission brings together First Ladies from different African countries to advocate for the welfare of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in society.
Buhari, who was elected President of AFLPM in November 2021, shared the mission’s achievements over the past year, including the construction of a five-storey secretariat in Abuja, which was funded by the Nigerian government, member states, and private donors.
The building will serve as a supportive platform and mechanism for women-led initiatives that will contribute to the advancement of peace, stability, and security in Africa.
The AFLPM also provided humanitarian support to victims of the recent Turkey-Syria earthquake, as well as educational materials, food supplements, and nutritional food items to countries such as Sierra Leone, Burundi and Liberia.
Mrs Buhari urged African First Ladies to pursue constructive engagement with wealthy individuals to create deliberate opportunities for poverty reduction, engage the media as a key player in setting agendas, and introduce peace studies in educational institutions.
Buhari’s term as First Lady ends on May 29, 2023 and a new President and Vice President of AFLPM have been elected. Buhari expressed confidence that her successor’s tenure would move the AFLPM a notch higher and promised to remain supportive in her role as the Chair of the Honorary Advisory Council.
