African Union is exploring innovative avenues to expand the resource mobilization base for the peace and security financial mechanism. The African Union Peace Fund Board of Trustees held a consultative meeting with the Executive Management Committee to deliberate on the progress of the operationalization and governance of the fund, performance of the investment portfolios, disbursement and replenishment of the funds, and strategic avenues of resource mobilization of the Peace Fund. The Fund’s objective is to provide focused, predictable, sustainable, flexible, and responsive funding to eligible peace and security related activities on the continent.
The meeting convened on the 26th – 27th January 2024, commended the progress made in revitalizing the AU Peace Fund and improving the governance of the fund evidenced in the increased member states contribution to the Fund, and the enhanced governance and management, timely disbursement of the Crisis Reserve Facility, and the growing return on investment. The meeting was convened at a time the African Union is developing a resource mobilization framework that aims to expand the contribution and replenishment of the fund to tap into external partners including the private sector.
The Board of Trustees and Executive Management Committee noted the impressive trajectory of the governance of the Peace Fund which will encourage the strategic direction of attracting additional resources from the private sector and other bilateral and multilateral partners to increase contributions to the Peace Fund. The resource mobilization framework will be launched in July 2024.
As at 31st December 2023, the Peace Fund recorded a total amount of USD 384.3 million. Notably, 34 member states have contributed 100% of their assessed shares, demonstrating a strong commitment to finance peace on the continent. A noteworthy mention includes Senegal’s voluntary contribution, further indicating the growing spirit of pan-African solidarity and dedication to securing peace across the continent.
From the funds, USD 6.5 million has since been disbursed. USD 2 million was disbursed to bridge African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) funding gap, and another USD2 million disbursed to support operations of East African Community Regional Force in Democratic Republic Community. Further, USD 1.5 Million for phase II Technical Pause for the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and USD1 million has been approved for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration in Northern Ethiopia, Tigray Region to sustain the Pretoria Peace process.
The Board of Trustees are seven (5) Eminent Persons and two Partner representatives (UN and EU) appointed by the Chairperson of the AU Commission to ensure the strategic coherence, enhanced governance, and financial and administrative oversight of the Peace Fund.
The Peace Fund is structured to finance activities under the following three thematic windows:
Window 1: Mediation and Preventive Diplomacy.
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Early warning and preventive diplomacy which aim to prevent the outbreak or escalation of violent conflict; and
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Peace-making, including the use of good offices, mediation, conciliation, and enquiry which aims to prevent, manage or resolve intra- or inter-state conflict.
Window 2: Institutional Capacity
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Cross-cutting: Support to Regional Economic Communities (RECs)/ Regional Mechanisms for Peace and Security (RMs) in strengthening financial and reporting systems as part of the Peace Fund partnership.
Window 3: Peace Support Operations (PSOs)
The Fund will finance the following Peace Support Operations, and actions other authorized mandates such as Observer Missions; Preventive Deployment and Peace Enforcement Missions; Stabilization Missions following Peace Enforcement Missions; and Missions and Security Initiatives in response to complex national and transnational security threats.
Learn more about the African Union Peace Fund here.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Doreen Apollos | Communication | Directorate of Information and Communication| African Union Commission | E-mail ApollosD@africa-union.org
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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