DAKAR, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 9th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa opened Monday in Diamniadio, near Dakar, the Senegalese capital, in the presence of Senegalese President Macky Sall and of his Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Ould Ghazouani.
Around 400 participants, including civil and military decision-makers, experts and researchers of the continent, will take part in the forum, themed "Africa's potentials and solutions in the face of security challenges and institutional instability."
Africa is progressing on the path to democracy, but is still shaken by institutional instability, said Sall at the opening of the forum, noting that conflicts and institutional instability cost too much to Africa.
Armed conflicts totally undermine Africa's efforts toward economic and social development, he said, stressing that Africa needs a break from military coups to focus on development.
He urged Africans to silence the guns and favor dialogue for the settlement of disputes in African countries, saying that it is through dialogue that divisions will be overcome to build coalitions necessary for the stability of institutions.
The 9th edition of the Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa will run until Tuesday. The first edition of the forum was held in 2014. ■