Security Council Urged to step up on Financing for AU peace operations

06-08-2023

Jacob Odeh

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence

The UN political affairs chief, Rosemary DiCarlo, has urged the Security Council to provide reliable funding for African Union (AU) efforts to maintain peace and security in Africa. DiCarlo emphasized the need for consistent and sustainable resources for AU-led operations and highlighted the evolving nature of conflicts in Africa. The report suggests practical financing options such as joint missions and support packages. DiCarlo also proposed a standardized planning process involving the UN, AU, and subregional configurations. The issue of funding AU-led operations has been a longstanding concern, with discussions around partial financing through UN-assessed contributions. DiCarlo called for the Council's support to strengthen AU peace operations in regions like the Sahel, Somalia, Mozambique, and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, stressed the importance of cooperation and solidarity with Africa, considering the challenges posed by COVID-19, climate change, and conflicts. He called for increased private investment and resources within Africa and addressed the need for better representation of African countries in global governance institutions. Guterres emphasized the significance of international cooperation to ensure Africa's success in the present century.

Sources and further reading:

UN News, 'The United Nations' (2023) https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1137047 accessed 8 June 2023.