The current global landscape is marked by rapid and profound changes. Geopolitical shifts, economic uncertainties, technological advancements, and environmental challenges all converge to shape our reality.

These dynamics have far-reaching implications for peace and security globally, regionally, and nationally and therefore influence our strategies, operations, and collaborations.

Global governance and multilateralism are at a crossroads. Across the globe, multilateralism appears to be in crisis. The very foundations or objectives of multilateralism—peace and security, human rights, and development— have been strongly shaken by individualistic, nationalism, and unilateralism tendencies.

This causes or exacerbates the decline of the current global order while destroying the very foundation of peace, security, and justice.

Human rights and other global values and aspirations are in jeopardy because of unilateral wars, whether open armed conflicts, trade wars, or cyberwarfare.

Further, global pandemics such as Covid-19 have acted as catalysts and magnifiers, exposing our weaknesses in many respects, including how ready, prepared, and willing we are as human beings to join efforts in countering a common threat.

The very basic human or societal values such as equality and equity, which have a positive bearing on the concepts of peace, security, and justice, are at stake.

‘Six out of seven people worldwide plagued by feelings of insecurity’

Madame Amina J. Mohammed, the Deputy UN Secretary-General, observed during the open debate of the security council on peacebuilding and sustaining peace in January 2023 that "peace – the United Nations’ raison d’être – is now under grave threat.

People’s sense of safety and security is at an all-time low in almost every country. Six out of seven people worldwide are plagued by feelings of insecurity. The world is facing the highest number of violent conflicts since the Second World War, and 2 billion people – a quarter of humanity – live in places affected by such conflict.

Available data shows that approximately 180 conflicts are currently taking place across the globe. These include interstate, intrastate, extra-systemic, non-state conflicts, and one-sided violence. At least 150 conflicts have been recorded each year recently.

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law is currently monitoring 110 armed conflicts across the globe. Forty-five of these conflicts are taking place in the Middle East and North Africa; more than 35 in Africa; 21 in Asia; seven in Europe; and six in Latin America.

Looking at Sub-Saharan Africa, there were at least 18 states (out of a total of 54) with active armed conflicts in 2021. High-intensity armed conflicts occurred in 12 states.

The situation in the East African region is no better than the rest of the other affected parts of the world. Nine of the 22 states or territories were involved in active armed conflict in 2021, with five experiencing ongoing or sharp escalations in large-scale armed violence.

Almost all the armed conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa and East Africa were internationalised due to the involvement of external state actors and/or the transnational activities of armed groups and criminal networks.

‘Negative peace, positive peace’

The concept of peace and, to a large extent, of security is not defined within the limits of the absence of violence. It is much more than that. A Norwegian Professor, Johan Galtung, defined ‘peace’ by making a distinction between ‘negative peace’ and ‘positive peace.’

On the one hand, negative peace refers to the absence of direct violence or war. It is essentially a state where overt conflict and physical violence are not present. On the other hand, positive peace goes beyond the mere absence of violence. It involves the presence of conditions that foster a sustainable, just, and equitable society. It is characterised by the presence of social justice, equality, and harmony.

Understanding peace, as defined by Professor Johan, helps us to have a broader picture of the context in which our continent, Africa, is operating, the challenges it faces, and ultimately find durable solutions.

In this regard, key questions should be posed to understand current global dynamics and how they affect Africa. Thus, issues such as ongoing geopolitical tensions, economic pressures, technological threats, and environmental challenges should be given due consideration.

For instance:

· The strategic competition among the so-called superpowers directly impacts Africa. This influence can be seen through economic investments, military aid, and political alliances. It is very important for Africa to navigate these relationships wisely, ensuring that the continent as a whole and individual member states’ interests and sovereignty are preserved.

· Resource abundance: Africa boasts vast natural resources—minerals, fertile land, and renewable energy potential. Managing these resources sustainably is crucial for stability.

· Conflicts in key regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East have global repercussions, including on Africa’s economy. Disruptions in supply chains, especially in the food and energy sectors, lead to inflation and economic instability, which can exacerbate social tensions and criminal activities.

· The digital age brings both opportunities and risks. Cybersecurity threats, including hacking and data breaches, pose significant challenges to Africa’s law enforcement efforts. In addition, the weaponization of emerging technologies such as drones and AI requires Africa to develop new skills and strategies to counter these threats effectively.

· Climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly linked to security concerns. Resource scarcity, particularly water and arable land, can lead to conflicts and displacement, complicating peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts.

The World Bank estimates that climate change may push an additional 132 million people (more than half of whom live in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia) into extreme poverty by 2030, with 44 million of these driven by health impacts.

· Youth radicalization toward violent extremism is a global phenomenon that poses significant challenges to peace, security, and stability. In Africa, where approximately 60% of the population is under 25 years old, understanding the factors driving young people toward extremist groups is crucial. Africa’s youth are its greatest asset. Empowering them through education, employment, and civic participation ensures a peaceful future.

This article is an abridged version of the remarks delivered by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, at the opening of a two-day Symposium on Peace, Security and Justice at the Rwanda National Police’s National Police College in Musanze, on Wednesday, June 5.

The annual gathering serves as a platform for students attending the Police Senior Command and Staff Course to meet with top government officials, scholars, and other high-profile experts from a diverse range of disciplines, with participants interacting around contemporary challenges to peace, security, and justice on the continent, while reflecting on possible solutions.