The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf Sunday called for urgent reform of Africa’s peace & security architecture.
He was speaking at the 21st Extraordinary African Union (AU) Summit on conflict prevention & resolution in Luanda, Angola, observing that from Sudan and eastern DRC to Somalia, the Sahel, Libya, northern Mozambique and Madagascar, persistent crises and emerging threats, including terrorism, violent extremism, piracy, transnational crime and the mistreatment of migrants, demand stronger collective action.
“Prevention must become our priority. We need a strengthened continental early-warning system, more effective implementation of AU decisions, sustainable financing for peace operations and a fully operational Peace Fund”, he said.
Chairperson Youssouf added that partnerships, including with the United Nations, must reflect Africa’s realities and expectations. The implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 is a legitimate and urgent call, he added.
He also emphasised that AU’s Regional Economic Communities & Regional Mechanisms remain central to preventive diplomacy. Continuous consultation among the PSC, the Commission, Member States and regional bodies is essential.
He further underscored that no single country can confront these threats alone. Solidarity, pooled resources and greater Pan-African sovereignty in peace and security are imperative, he added.
On unconstitutional changes of government, he said that the AU position remains clear: “firmness in defending AU norms, alongside dialogue and support.”
The AUC scribe said that this is a long-term undertaking requiring unwavering political, underscoring that the summit be a summit of choices that strengthen Africa’s capacity to take collective ownership of its peace & security.
Convened under the leadership of João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola, and AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa, and chaired by Burundian leader Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is the current chair of the African Union.
The summit will provide an opportunity for heads of state and government to undertake a strategic assessment of the effectiveness of existing continental mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
WN/as/APA