Statement at the Opening of the Continent-wide Seminar on African Economic Community

"Most of you are, no doubt, aware that the 29th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the OAU adopted, for the first time, a landmark Declaration on the establishment of a Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution within the framework of the OAU. This was done in recognition of the fact that peace and stability were a necessary condition and a pre-requisite for the continent's economic development. Conflicts in Africa, like anywhere else, have hampered and undermined the continent's credibility and ability to uplift the socio-economic conditions of our people. Resources, which could otherwise have been put in development projects and programmes, have been squandered in futile fratricidal wars, causing untold suffering and misery."