The just-concluded high-level UN conference on post-conflict peace building presented an ideal platform for decision-makers and activists from Africa and beyond, to discuss and agree on how best they can build safer and more prosperous nations.

The meeting, the first to be convened by the Peace Building Commission (PBC), provided a unique opportunity for delegates to learn from each other’s experiences in post-conflict management, with a view to lay out strategies to help serve their people better.

That the majority of participants came from post-conflict countries on the continent, including those that have emerged as models in dealing with a troubled and bloody past, is testimony to Africa’s commitment to addressing its own challenges, by learning from and supporting each other.

Indeed, it is only through the continent’s own original initiatives that it can ably address most of the peace and development-related challenges. Therefore, it is encouraging to see our leaders taking the lead in addressing issues affecting the continent.

For instance, the varied home-grown solutions that Rwanda was able to share with other countries, including innovations in the areas of justice, reconciliation, national ownership and economic development, could go a long way in helping addressing certain challenges experienced elsewhere.

However, it is critical that individual countries adopt solutions that suit their own contexts, especially where their challenges are unique to particular circumstances. It is also important that resolutions contained in the Kigali Declaration are implemented accordingly.

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