President John Dramani Mahama has urged the African Union (AU) to move faster in securing the financial resources needed to prevent conflicts and respond effectively to security threats across the continent.
Addressing the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government on Sunday, August 30, President Mahama said Africa’s peace and security architecture must be backed by funding that is both dependable and readily available.
He called for the accelerated implementation of the AU Peace Fund’s resource mobilisation strategy, including the effective application of the 0.2% import levy, as part of efforts to build a sustainable financing base for the continent’s peace initiatives.
“Early warning must translate into early action, and early action requires resources that are available in a timely and predictable manner,” he said.
President Mahama welcomed progress made in operationalising the AU Peace Fund and backed continued efforts to build its capital towards the US$1 billion target.
He also advocated a broader financing approach that draws more significantly on African financial institutions, the private sector and other African sources of funding.
The President said reducing reliance on external financing would strengthen Africa’s ability to take ownership of its peace and security priorities and respond more effectively to conflicts.
