African Union addresses integration issues at Ghana conference

With ongoing regional instability in West Africa, ECOWAS nations Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso risk losing their memberships due to military coups that ousted democratically elected leaders in these countries.

These nations have been under threat from terrorist organizations affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for years.

Mauritania’s President and current African Union Chair, Mohamed Cheikh Ghazouani, urged for the acceleration of the African integration process.

He stressed the importance of expediting economic integration to support the continent and fulfill the aspirations of African citizens.

Discussions during the meeting centered on financing mechanisms for African Union projects, particularly the funding of the organization itself, which heavily relies on contributions from non-African partners.

African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, highlighted the necessity for member countries to present a united front in upcoming engagements with international partners.

He emphasized the importance of speaking with one voice at major global forums, including the G20, where the African Union now holds membership.

According to African Union post on X , “over USD 392 million is available in the current endowment of the 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝, edging closer its target of USD 400 million.

Significant resources are required to move towards predictable and sustainable financing of the AU’s operational peace and security activities.

On 20th July at the 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Event, private sector and African Financial Institutions led by Afreximbank, Standard Chartered Bank, Ethiopian Airlines, Africa Development Bank, and Tony Elumelu Foundation made commitments to support resource mobilization for #𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐞 in Africa.

In its quest to reduce the 𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 and 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐲 and ownership of the peace and security agenda, the African Union has made commendable progress in revitalizing the AU Peace Fund, evidenced in the increased member states contribution to the Fund, and the 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 and management arrangements for the Fund.”