Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu
Nigeria has called on the African Union (AU) to adopt innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen the continent’s capacity for conflict prevention and resolution while reducing its reliance on external funding.
The call was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu, during the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union held in Luanda, Angola.
The meeting, themed: _“Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa_,” brought together African leaders and senior officials to deliberate on strategies for enhancing peace and security across the continent.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ojukwu commended the progress made in strengthening the AU Peace Fund, describing it as a significant step towards achieving African-led solutions to the continent’s security challenges.
According to her, member states have collectively contributed close to the Fund’s capitalisation target, while the balance has continued to grow.
“During my presentation on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we commended the progress made in strengthening the AU Peace Fund, noting that member states had collectively contributed about 400 million capitalisation target, while the Fund’s balance had exceeded $405 million,” she said.
The minister also highlighted the Fund’s impact in supporting peace initiatives across Africa.
“The disbursement of about $39 million for mediation, preventive diplomacy, peace support operations and other interventions demonstrates the Fund’s growing role in addressing Africa’s peace and security challenges.”
She stressed that African-led peace operations require stable and predictable financial support to remain effective.
“African-led peace operations require predictable and reliable financing for personnel, logistics, equipment and other operational needs, and uncertain funding could undermine their effectiveness, hence the need for member states to continue to honor their assessed contributions, viewing these not merely as obligations but as investments in our collective security and sovereignty.”
Ojukwu further urged the African Union to deepen efforts towards financial independence, insisting that Africa should take greater responsibility for funding its own peace and security architecture.
“It is important that the African Union moves from dependence on external assistance towards greater African self-reliance, even as international partners continue to play an important role in supporting peace and security on the continent.”
She added: “External assistance should complement African ownership; it should not substitute for it. African resources should remain the foundation of African peace and security financing.”
Nigeria’s position underscores its continued advocacy for African-led solutions to the continent’s security challenges, with greater emphasis on sustainable financing, collective responsibility and stronger regional institutions.
