Assistant Secretary-General Kyung-Wha Kang - Statement to African Union Peace and Security Council, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Tuesday 25 November 2014

Distinguished members of the AU Peace and Security Council,

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to thank you for the great opportunity to brief you on the humanitarian challenges affecting the region and on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan and other conflict situations in Africa.

Mr. Chairperson,

During the past decade, much of Africa has recorded robust economic development, with growth rates in some countries far exceeding global averages and significant progress made by a number of countries in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. More children are in school today and more people are entering the middle-income class than ever before. National Governments are at the vanguard of this progress, demonstrating astute leadership and vision. The African Union has been instrumental in making this progress possible through its policies and mechanisms, particularly in peace and security, and in encouraging transparent governance at all levels.

However, this commendable progress has not reached all countries, and there are crippling pockets of vulnerabilities that threaten to undermine the gains made. In particular, armed conflict in many countries of the continent continue to generate huge humanitarian needs and condemn the people caught up in the cross-fire to years, even decades, of poverty and misery. Indeed, armed conflict is the biggest driver of poverty, and a country plagued by armed conflict is fundamentally hampered in its potential for growth and prosperity.