We must banish sectarianism to ensure peace in Africa, says President Museveni

To ensure security on the African continent, we must banish the ideology of sectarianism and gender chauvinism, President Yoweri Museveni has said.

“Many of the conflicts are based on pseudo ideology of sectarianism, impregnated by gender chauvinism,” the President reiterated on Wednesday while chairing the open session of the African Union Peace and Security Council held at Sipopo Conference Centre in Malabo Equatorial Guinea.

The President who was accompanied by the First Lady, Janet Museveni, opened the 10th Anniversary of the au peace and Security Council with a message of peace.

 “In the last 50 years I have observed conflicts, I have noted failure to distinguish between just and unjust wars. May peace prevail all over Africa.”

He further observed that banishing the ideology of sectarianism and gender chauvinism would act as the policeman of the mind.

"We need to act on the policeman of the body after acting on the policeman of the mind.”

At the same assembly, the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete chaired the meeting of the committee of Heads of State and Government on Climate Change noting that Africa needs a clear position and direction as well as focused approach on climate change.

Relatedly, Ambassador Smail Chergui, African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, welcomed Egypt to the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC).

Heads of State of countries then contributed resources to the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises. Countries contributing resources to ACIRC include among others; Uganda, Angola, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, Sudan, South Africa and Tanzania.