Excellencies,

Honourable Members of the Judiciary,

Distinguished Traditional and Religious Leaders,

Esteemed Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we bring this Inaugural Continental Dialogue to a close, I wish, on behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to express my profound appreciation to the Government of Ghana and people for hosting this meeting and to all of you for your commitment, active engagement, and valuable contributions throughout these deliberations.

Over the past day, we have collectively reaffirmed a fundamental truth: that the aspiration to silence the guns in Africa cannot be achieved by governments alone. It requires the deliberate and sustained engagement of traditional authorities, inter-faith actors, judicial institutions, women, youth, and communities.

This Dialogue has clearly demonstrated that these actors are not peripheral to peacebuilding efforts; they are central to them. Your legitimacy, proximity to communities, and moral authority position you as indispensable partners in preventing conflict, mediating disputes, and fostering reconciliation.

We have also recognised that sustainable peace requires more than ending violence. It demands addressing the underlying drivers of conflict, governance challenges, limited access to justice, inequality, and social fragmentation through inclusive, locally anchored approaches.

The discussions have underscored the importance of strengthening coordination between formal and informal institutions, enhancing early warning and preventive action, and ensuring that justice systems are accessible, responsive, and trusted. We have further emphasised the need to empower women and youth, whose leadership is essential to building resilient and peaceful societies.

Importantly, the proposal to establish a Continental Stakeholder Engagement Platform for Silencing the Guns reflects our shared commitment to institutionalising collaboration and translating dialogue into sustained action.

Excellencies,

The African Union remains fully committed to working with Member States, Regional Economic Communities, and all stakeholders to advance the Silencing the Guns Agenda. However, our success will ultimately depend on our ability to act together, across institutions, across levels of governance, and across communities.

As we leave Accra, let us carry forward not only the insights gained but also a renewed sense of responsibility and urgency. Let us move from dialogue to implementation, from commitments to measurable results.

I once again extend our sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the Republic of Ghana for their warm hospitality and excellent arrangements, and to all participants for contributing to the success of this Dialogue.

Together, let us continue to work towards a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Africa.

I thank you.

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