Mr. El Ghassim Wane, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General's Special Representative to Mali, underscored the pivotal role of African institutions in Peace Support Operations (PSOs) in war-prone Africa.
Speaking at a seminar in Accra, he emphasized the increased and diversified nature of African peace support operations, with collaboration from institutions such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU).
Mr. Wane, also the Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), highlighted the proactiveness of African institutions in responding to crises on the continent, noting that this reflected the prolonged nature of the challenges faced.
The two-day seminar, hosted by the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD) at the University of Ghana, focused on the theme “The Evolution of African Peace Operations and Best Practices for Future African-led Peace Support Operations.”
Discussions covered partnerships between the AU, African-led PSOs, and the UN, including whether the AU and PSOs should seek UN-assessed contributions.
Mr. Wane stressed that African institutions, drawing from decades of experience, could significantly contribute to peace and security promotion on the continent. Addressing the root causes of violence, particularly those linked to governance, was identified as a key factor.
He expressed the importance of the AU, with UN support, addressing challenges through its normative and policy framework on governance. Considering the prevalence of terrorism and violent extremism in parts of Africa, Mr. Wane emphasized the unique advantage of the AU and its regional mechanisms in deploying PSOs where peace had not been fully restored.
Highlighting the importance of financing African-led PSOs through UN-assessed contributions, he urged diverse tools to address the nature of African conflicts. Additionally, he emphasized the need for flexibility in cooperation modalities, citing examples such as the Nouakchott Process and the Accra Process.
Major General Richard Addo Gyane, Commandant of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), a collaborator of the seminar, acknowledged the evolving nature of conflicts in Africa.
He highlighted the role of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) in preventive diplomacy.
However, Maj Gen Gyane pointed out governance failures, including poverty, unemployment, corruption, radicalization, and terrorism, as challenges eroding the efforts of African-led agencies dealing with security challenges. He affirmed KAIPTC's commitment to collaboration through training, research, and academic education.
Professor Emmanuel Debrah, Director of LECIAD, acknowledged Africa's progress but emphasized the need for tailored approaches and innovative strategies through collaborative discussions to address persistent challenges in the region.
