H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, addressed the AU Peace & Security Council on the sidelines of #UNGA80 in New York today.
He expressed gratitude to President João Lourenço of Angola for convening this vital high-level meeting on “Re-energizing Conflict Prevention & Resolution in Africa”—a theme underscoring Africa’s shared responsibility.
The Chairperson highlighted the continent’s pressing challenges: persistent conflicts, inter-state tensions, & the surge in violent extremism. He also drew attention to dwindling resources for crisis management & the erosion of international solidarity.
To counter these trends, he outlined three key priorities:
? Anticipation: Strengthen early warning systems by integrating AI & big data.
? Crisis Management: Reform the African Standby Force, with stronger police & civilian components.
? Structural Prevention: Build member states’ capacity through independent national peace infrastructures.
By modernizing the African Peace & Security Architecture and fostering collective leadership, he stressed, "we can chart a path toward a more peaceful & prosperous Africa".