"Through the AU Peace and Security Council, the AU Commission, and the collective membership, we will focus our efforts on conflict resolution across the African continent, especially those experiencing protracted conflicts," he said in his acceptance speech as incoming AU chairman at the 33rd AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

"We will work with President Denis Sasso N’Guesso in his capacity as the chairperson of the AU high-level committee on Libya to convene an intra-Libyan conference to promote ceasefire and dialogue. We will continue to work the parties in South Sudan with a view to implementing the outstanding issues of the revitalised agreement in order to pave the way for the formation of the government of national unity," he said.

South Africa would also host the extraordinary summit on Silencing of the Guns in May 2020 to look at the implementation of the AU master roadmap, and at the same time respond to emerging circumstances on the African peace and security landscape. 

The summit had to come up with real actions Africans had to take to end conflicts and deal with acts of terrorism raging in many countries and regions, such as the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and now spreading to other parts of Southern Africa as well. 

"We must also deal with the actions of other countries outside our continent that are fighting proxy wars and fuelling the ongoing conflicts. The principle of finding African solutions for African problems must be our overriding theme in addressing all the conflicts on our continent as we work within the frameworks of the AU and the UN," Ramaphosa said.

During South Africa's chairmanship, he would champion the positioning of Africa as a strong, resilient, and influential global player, and advancing AU-UN cooperation would be key.

"We must ensure that Africa continues to play an even greater role on the world stage. It is, therefore, an imperative of the time that, as Africa, we continue to assert the primacy of multilateralism in world affairs. We must continue to advance this by bolstering the AU’s relationship with the (UN).

"Our collective fortunes rely on international cooperation and in ensuring we leave no-one behind. That is why the AU must continue with its support for the struggles of people everywhere that still suffer under the yoke of oppression. 

"Today we reaffirm our unwavering support and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their legitimate quest for an independent and sovereign state, as well as the right of the people of Western Sahara to self-determination," Ramaphosa said.

African News Agency