Most of the conflicts in Africa are internal and have resulted in widespread human suffering and loss of human life. Many have their origins in ethnic differences, and others again in poverty and oppression, and in the struggle over the right to exploit natural resources such as petroleum or diamonds. Our desire to focus on the underlying causes of conflict and war is especially relevant to the situation in Africa. Unfortunately, we have to recognise the fact that the Security Council has had limited success in its efforts to manage these conflicts. The Secretary-General s recent reports on the UN operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and in Sierra Leone, clearly show the difficulties facing the UN in these very complex peace operations.
Economic motives are among the most important driving forces behind many African conflicts.
Natural resources are being plundered and precious stones such as diamonds are being traded to help finance the hostilities. Often the economic interests behind such exploitation help to keep the conflict going. The trade in goods of this kind is carried out through middlemen and in international markets with easy access to weapons. Thus the responsibility for dealing with these problems lies with the international community as well as the African countries involved. We must do what we can to develop more effective instruments to contain these threats to peace and security.