Prez Mahama backs $1B AU Peace Fund, demands sustainable African-led security financing

President John Dramani Mahama has declared Ghana’s strong support for the full operationalisation and capitalisation of the African Union (AU) Peace Fund, saying sustainable and predictable African-led financing is essential to addressing the continent’s persistent security challenges.

President Mahama made the call while addressing the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola.

He stressed that African countries must strengthen their capacity to finance peace and security initiatives rather than remain heavily dependent on external support.

According to the President, the AU Peace Fund must be adequately resourced to achieve its target of $1 billion, enabling the continent to respond more effectively to conflicts, emerging security threats and humanitarian crises.

President Mahama argued that effective conflict prevention depends not only on strong early-warning mechanisms but also on the availability of resources to translate early warnings into timely preventive action.

He therefore urged AU member states to accelerate implementation of the Peace Fund’s resource mobilisation strategy, particularly through the 0.2 per cent import levy.

He also called for stronger engagement with African financial institutions and the private sector to broaden the continent’s sources of funding for peace and security initiatives.

The President highlighted Ghana’s “Accra Reset” framework as an important model for developing self-financing mechanisms for initiatives in peace, security and healthcare.

He said greater financial independence would strengthen Africa’s ability to determine its own priorities and respond rapidly to crises without waiting for external assistance.

Beyond the AU’s own financing mechanisms, President Mahama welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023, which provides a framework for financing AU-led peace support operations through UN-assessed contributions.

He called for the effective implementation of the resolution while stressing the importance of maintaining the principles of African ownership, accountability and shared global responsibility.

According to him, stronger collaboration between the AU and the United Nations could provide a more sustainable financing framework for African-led peace operations.

President Mahama also welcomed the Luanda Action Plan, its implementation matrix and the AU Trigger Model, describing them as important instruments for strengthening the continent’s conflict-prevention and response mechanisms.

He, however, insisted that continental commitments must be accompanied by clear deadlines, measurable targets and effective implementation.

“We have spoken on this topic for too long, and it is time for us to move from words to action,” President Mahama told the gathering.

His remarks reflect growing calls for the AU to move beyond policy declarations and strengthen practical mechanisms for preventing conflicts before they escalate into full-scale crises.

President Mahama also used his address to update fellow African leaders on developments in the campaign for historical justice and reparations for the transatlantic enslavement of Africans.

He referred to UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/82/50, which recognised the enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.

The President highlighted the outcomes of the “Next Steps Conference” hosted in Accra, saying the global momentum around reparatory justice had increased following the conference.

He noted developments including formal apologies, the return of looted African artefacts and commitments towards dedicated funding as indications of growing international attention to the issue.

President Mahama concluded his address by inviting AU leaders to participate in a high-level side event expected to take place during the 81st United Nations General Assembly session in September.

He said expert panels established in Accra would present progress reports and provide updates on ongoing efforts relating to reparatory justice.

The President’s interventions at the Luanda summit underscore Ghana’s continued advocacy for stronger African ownership of peace and security initiatives, sustainable financing for continental institutions and greater international accountability for historical injustices against Africans.