African artists launch campaign to promote peace, cohesion

NAIROBI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A group of prominent African performing artists on Monday launched a campaign to promote peace, disarmament and harmonious co-existence in the continent.

The artists said in a statement issued in Nairobi that they will rally behind African Union(AU)-led campaign to end violent conflicts in the continent that bodes ill for its transformation agenda.

"We have come together from different backgrounds and different nations to create a positive global awakening, responding to the AU's call for pledges for peace," said Emmanuel Jal, a South Sudanese musician.

"We need every African citizen galvanized to make peace a reality and to rid the continent of war and civil unrest," he added.

The artists joined a coalition of African peace ambassadors, comprising youth, business and civil society leaders who have endorsed a campaign by the Pan African bloc to put an end to violent skirmishes.

African leaders during a summit held over the weekend resolved to rally behind efforts to end hostilities and involve grassroots organizations in advancing peace and stability.

The AU Heads of State Summit reviewed progress towards silencing the guns by 2020 as a prerequisite to achieving sustainable development in the continent.

The leaders acknowledged that terrorism, conflicts and the climate crisis are having a devastating impact on livelihoods of vulnerable groups like refugees, migrants, women, youth, children and the elderly.

Folu Storms, a Nigerian actor said that dialogue is key to finding a lasting solution to violent conflicts in Africa fuelled by competition for resources and unregulated flow of small arms.

"There are many complex and interdependent challenges to achieving peace, but every conflict resolution starts with a conversation," said Storms.

"Today we are having that conversation and galvanizing citizens to make a commitment to actualizing the AU's vision of a conflict-free continent," she added.

Zoe Modiga, a South African musician said that COVID-19 pandemic had escalated violence against vulnerable members of the society hence the need for African communities to explore home-grown remedies.