African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called on continental leaders to back their peace promises with reliable funding, warning that Africa cannot continue relying on external partners to finance its security.
Speaking at the opening of the AU’s Extraordinary Summit in Luanda this Sunday, Youssouf urged heads of state to move away from reactive crisis management and focus instead on stopping conflicts before they break out.
The summit brings together leaders from across the continent to agree on a new action plan aimed at strengthening early warning systems and mediation efforts. Discussions are expected to focus heavily on active conflict zones, including Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Sahel, and the Horn of Africa.
Youssouf also commended host President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of Angola for his mediation work in regional crises, but stressed that continental frameworks will only work if member states show immediate political will and guarantee sustainable funding.
–ChannelAfrica/AU–
