Peace and security underpin sustainable development. Despite efforts to date, Africa continues to face serious peace and security challenges; several African Union and United Nations peacekeeping missions are active on the continent, and the numbers of national and sub-national conflicts are increasing. In response, H.E. Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa, and H.E. Benjamin Mkapa, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, convened the fourth African Leadership Forum (ALF) in Johannesburg on 24th – 25th August, 2017 under the theme “Peace and Security for an Integrated, United and Sustainable Africa”. The discussions during ALF 2017 were well received. In particular, the dialogue on ‘Africa’s position in the global security architecture’ was highlighted as a topic in need of further discussion. Therefore, the UONGOZI Institute organised a follow-up event with the theme “Africa in the Global Peace and Security Architecture—Overcoming the Gridlocks to Peace.”

This report provides a summary of the discussions that took place at the ALF 2017 follow-up meeting.