the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, convened on the theme, “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa”, Nigeria called on the African Union (AU) to explore innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen the continent’s capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts and reduce dependence on external funding.
During my presentation on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we commended the progress made in strengthening the AU Peace Fund, noting that member states had collectively contributed about 400 million capitalisation target, while the Fund’s balance had exceeded $`405 million.
The disbursement of about `$39 million for mediation, preventive diplomacy, peace support operations and other interventions demonstrates the Fund’s growing role in addressing Africa’s peace and security challenges.
African-led peace operations require predictable and reliable financing for personnel, logistics, equipment and other operational needs, and uncertain funding could undermine their effectiveness, hence the need for member states to continue to honor their assessed contributions, viewing these not merely as obligations but as investments in our collective security and sovereignty.
It is important that the African Union moves from dependence on external assistance towards greater African self-reliance, even as international partners continue to play an important role in supporting peace and security on the continent.
External assistance should complement African ownership; it should not substitute for it. African resources should remain the foundation of African peace and security financing.
