Luanda: Ghana attaches particular importance to sustainable, predictable, and African-owned financing of the Continent's peace and security agenda, President John Dramani Mahama stated. He underscored the importance of early warning that must translate into early action, requiring resources available in a timely and predictable manner.
According to Ghana News Agency, the President made these remarks at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly on August 30, in Luanda, Angola. He emphasized that the convening of the Summit was timely and necessary, as Africa continues to face persistent and evolving conflict despite comprehensive mechanisms established under their continental peace and security architecture. He noted that their task was to ensure these mechanisms are effectively implemented, better coordinated, and adequately resourced.
President Mahama highlighted progress in operationalizing the African Union Peace Fund and supported its continued capitalisation towards the $1 billion target. He encouraged accelerated implementation of the Peace Fund resource mobilization strategy, including the effective application of the 0.2 percent import levy, while strengthening resource mobilization from African financial institutions, the private sector, and other African sources.
He also recognized the importance of predictable and sustainable international financing for African-led peace support operations. President Mahama welcomed the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023, which provides a framework for financing AU-led peace support operations through UN assessed contributions. He encouraged continued efforts towards the effective operationalization of this framework, consistent with the principles of African ownership, accountability, and shared responsibility for maintaining international peace and security.
President Mahama asserted that Ghana believes conflict prevention must be embedded within their broader development agenda. He stated that early warning systems should not only identify imminent threats but also enable them to detect and address underlying grievances.
Burundi President ‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦¡¬°variste Ndayishimiye, the AU Chairperson, echoed similar sentiments, asserting that there would be no lasting African ownership of their peace and security agenda without predictable, sustainable, and flexible African funding. He emphasized the need to strengthen the African Union Peace Fund and accelerate its gradual capitalisation to provide it with the resources necessary to match their continental ambitions. President Ndayishimiye also called for strengthened cooperation between the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, Regional Mechanisms, Member States, the United Nations, and strategic partners, while ensuring that African solutions to African problems remain central to their work.