FG wants AU to raise $1bn peace fund, end reliance on foreign aid

By Ochiaka Ugwu

Nigerian government has called for the progressive capitalisation of the African Union (AU) Peace Fund towards its $1 billion target, alongside stronger resource mobilisation from African financial institutions, the private sector and strategic partners.

It also urged for exploration of innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to strengthen the continent’s capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts and reduce dependence on external funding.

Nigerian Foreign Minister, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, made the call Saturday at the 26th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Luanda, Angola, convened on the theme, “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu commended the progress made in strengthening the AU Peace Fund, noting that member states had collectively contributed about $350.2 million, representing 87.5 per cent of the original $400 million capitalisation target, while the Fund’s balance had exceeded $405 million.

She said the disbursement of about $39 million for mediation, preventive diplomacy, peace support operations and other interventions demonstrated the Fund’s growing role in addressing Africa’s peace and security challenges.

“We therefore call on all Member States to honour their assessed contributions and make additional voluntary contributions where possible, viewing these not merely as obligations but as investments in our collective security and sovereignty,” the minister said.

She stressed that African-led peace operations required predictable and reliable financing for personnel, logistics, equipment and other operational needs, warning that uncertain funding could undermine their effectiveness.

The minister urged the AU to progressively move from dependence on external assistance towards greater African self-reliance, while acknowledging the important role international partners continue to play in supporting peace and security on the continent.

“External assistance should complement African ownership; it should not substitute for it. African resources should remain the foundation of African peace and security financing,” she said.

Odumegwu-Ojukwu further advocated progressive capitalisation of the Peace Fund towards its $1 billion target, alongside stronger resource mobilisation from African financial institutions, the private sector and strategic partners.

She also called for full implementation of the 0.2 per cent levy under the Kigali Financing Decision, while urging the African Union Commission to examine innovative financing options that could provide predictable long-term revenue.

Among the proposals was the voluntary provision of strategically located land by member states for development by capable private-sector entities and African multilateral financial institutions.

According to her, mutually agreed arrangements could generate annual royalties for the AU, while simultaneously promoting investment, infrastructure development and stronger African partnerships.

The minister emphasised that such financing mechanisms must be anchored on transparency, accountability, sound financial management and effective oversight.

“Africa has the institutions, the financial capacity and the political vision to take greater responsibility for its own peace and security.

“What is required now is the collective political will to translate that capacity into action,” she said.

She reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting collective African efforts, stressing that a peaceful and secure continent was essential to achieving Agenda 2063 and building an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

“Let us make the African Union Peace Fund not merely an instrument that we endorse, but an institution that we own, finance and sustain.

“Let us demonstrate through our contributions that African peace is an African responsibility,” Odumegwu-Ojukwu stated.