The United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) have solidified their partnership to enhance peace support operations and foster international and regional peace and security.
The commitment was reaffirmed at a high-level meeting hosted by the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Accra, Ghana.
Attended by top diplomats, UN and AU officials, Civil Society Organizations, and Peace Institutions, the meeting aimed to strengthen collaboration in addressing conflicts and promoting stability across Africa and beyond.
Over the past two decades, the nature of conflicts has evolved, necessitating effective collaboration among African states, UN Peacekeeping Operations (UN PKOs), Africa Union Peace Support Operations (AU PSOs), and Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs).
This collaboration aims to address emerging and existing threats and deploy international interventions authorized by the UN and AU.
Mr. David Haeri, Director of the UN Division of Policy, Evaluation, and Training Department of Peace Operation, highlighted ongoing collaboration between the AU and UN, particularly in joint operations where the UN supports the AU.
He expressed optimism about achieving a more systematic partnership in the coming months and years.
Mr. Haeri mentioned discussions in New York to secure sustainable financing from UN Member States for AU Peace Support operations. He emphasized the importance of addressing human rights concerns and conducting thorough conflict analysis and planning.
“There is a lot of work that the two organizations and the secretariats continue to do together. I believe that there is a strong basis; we've certainly had lessons sometimes it works better and sometimes it doesn't,” he added.
Prof. Mpho Gregory Molomo, Special Representative to the Chairperson of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), and Head of SADC Mission in Mozambique, emphasized the need for a robust relationship between the AU and other agencies to ensure peace and security in the African continent.
Dr. Festus Aubyn, Regional Coordinator, Research, and Capacity building, West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), acknowledged the growing trilateral relationship between the UN, AU, and the RECs.
He highlighted the successes, including the Lake Chad Basin, where collaboration led to significant improvements in implementing the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience.