African Union (AU) Commission President Moussa Faki Mahamat and European Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica announced on Monday the signing of an agreement promising an additional €800 million to support the AU in its efforts to promote peace, security and stability in Africa.
The agreement commits to strengthening the structures and mechanisms for conflict prevention, management and resolution of the African Peace and Security Architecture and support the establishment of a rapid reaction mechanism, which will provide the African Union with early funding for preventive diplomacy and mediation initiatives, fact-finding missions and early peace support operations.
It will also support the deployment of African-led peace support operations, such as those of the Boko Haram Joint Multinational Force (MNF) and the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM)a s well as the joint G5 Sahel force, particularly with regard to capacity building, troop pay and non-lethal equipment.
Since 2004, the peace support facility for Africa has mobilized more than 2.7 billion euros.
“This is a commendable milestone in a long history of EU support to Africa, and is in line with the African Peace and Security Architecture and African-led efforts to silence the guns,” said Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat. “I also commend the African contributions to the recently revitalized Peace Fund, which demonstrates the commitment to African ownership of peace and security operations on the continent.”
Commissioner Neven Mimica said: “Europe remains Africa’s first partner in the area of peace and security. Since 2004, the African Peace Facility has provided €2.7 billion to support African solutions to African problems. Most of the additional €800 million announced today will go to peace support operations led by our African partners.”
