President John Dramani Mahama has urged the African Union (AU) to prioritize funding for the African Union Standby Force, highlighting its crucial role in combating terrorism and managing crises across the continent.
He emphasized that one of the fundamental pillars of AU reform is financial autonomy, noting that the organization’s over-reliance on external partners for funding compromises its independence and ability to set its own agenda.
During a high-level meeting of African leaders in Nairobi, discussions centered on African Union (AU) reforms, with a focus on funding peace operations and enhancing the organization’s efficiency, President Mahama stated that a self-reliant African Union is not just a vision but an imperative that must be achieved.
He explained that the AU must strengthen its capacity to prevent, mediate, and resolve conflicts by adequately resourcing the African Standby Force and leveraging partnerships to address emerging threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and climate-induced displacement.
He also noted that the need for funding is particularly urgent in West Africa, where nations are struggling with significant challenges related to terrorism.
“The AU must strengthen its capacity to prevent, mediate, and resolve conflicts, this includes adequately resourcing the African Standby Force and leveraging partnerships to address emerging threats such as terrorism, cybercrime, and climate-induced displacement.”
“Indeed, this is very important for us especially in West Africa considering the challenge we face from terrorism”
“One of the fundamental pillars of reform is AU’s financial autonomy, the over-reliance on external partners for funding compromises the organization’s independence and ability to set its own agenda. The implementation of the Kigali decision on financing the union must be expedited.”
President Mahama additionally stressed that the African continent faces a unique set of challenges, including youth unemployment, food insecurity, climate change, governance deficits, and conflicts in various regions.
He pointed out that the continent is witnessing global shifts that necessitate reimagining Africa’s role in the world.
He called on the African Union to evolve into a more agile, efficient, and impactful organization to address these pressing issues.
