Ban calls for predictable funding for African Union peace initiatives

The African Union (AU) continues to face difficulties in securing the necessary funding for its peace efforts on the continent, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, appealing to the international community to find sustainable ways of supporting the pan-African body’s initiatives.

“We need to find a solution that will provide predictable, sustainable and flexible resources to the African Union when it undertakes peacekeeping operations authorized by this Council,” Mr. Ban said in remarks at the United Nations Security Council’s debate on peace and security in Africa.

The AU’s peacekeeping efforts in the Sudanese region of Darfur and Somalia, for example, are dogged by limited resources, he noted.

Peacekeeping operations in Africa should receive the same level of support as similar UN missions, including reimbursement of staff, the Secretary-General said. They should also uphold the same professional standards, he added.

“This is why, for example, the UN Secretariat has been working with the AU to define guidelines and strengthen capacity on protecting civilians and minimizing civilian casualties,” Mr. Ban said.

He told the 15-member Council that he attaches great importance to the partnership between the AU and the UN, adding that he will, submit a report in the coming months that will help define a strategic vision for two organizations’ cooperation in the area of peace and security.

In a presidential statement at the end of the debate, the Council welcomed the AU’s enhanced peacekeeping role, in concert with its sub-regional organisations and in line with the Council’s resolutions and decisions. It noted with appreciation the AU’s positive efforts in maintaining peace and security in Africa.

“The Security Council notes the continuing efforts by the African Union to enhance its institutional capacity to enable it to effectively plan, manage and deploy peacekeeping operations,” according to the statement.

The Council said it is determined to continue seeking a predictable and sustainable solution to the funding challenges facing AU’s peace efforts in Africa.

In his report on support for AU peacekeeping operations authorized by the UN, the Secretary-General writes that initiatives by the pan-African body have made significant contributions to alleviating conflict on the continent through mediation, peacekeeping and peace enforcement, often with limited resources and in difficult and dangerous circumstances.