African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has warned that Africa’s peace and security environment is facing increasingly complex challenges, including the expansion of terrorism and violent extremism, internal crises, interstate tensions and external shocks.

Addressing the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Luanda, Youssouf called for stronger and more effective continental mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.

“Are we equipped to confront these challenges with the strategies, mechanisms & resources currently available? Is the African Peace and Security Architecture adapted to these circumstances?” he posed.

If not, the Chairperson stressed, Africa must urgently advance reforms.

He called for stronger prevention and early warning, including high-level political engagement at the earliest signs of crisis; better coordination between the AU Commission, the Peace and Security Council (PS), Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and  a holistic approach to combating terrorism, noting that “a purely security-based response has shown its limitations.”

Firmness against unconstitutional changes of government, he underlined, must remain essential, while also going hand in hand with dialogue.

The Chairperson further stressed that financing Africa’s peace agenda and the goal of Silencing The Guns by 2030 can no longer depend primarily on external resources.

He called for a strengthened AU Peace Fund and renewed support for UNSC Resolution 2719.

“Political will remains the cornerstone of our collective efforts.” he said.

The way forward, he concluded, must be guided by prevention, coordination, sustainable financing, accountability & effective monitoring & evaluation.

Greater vigilance, solidarity and preparedness are essential as Africa navigates an increasingly turbulent geopolitical environment.

Convened under the leadership of João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa, the Executive Council which precede tomorrow's Summit will provide an opportunity for Heads of State and Government to undertake a strategic assessment of the effectiveness of existing continental mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.

It will also reaffirm African ownership of the governance, peace and security agendas,  as well as the importance of adherence to the principles and tenets of the Constitutive Act of the AU.