Speaking to ambassadors on Africa Day, Deputy Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo presented the latest United Nations report on securing predictable, sustainable and resilient resources for operations. peace assistance led by the AU and authorized by the Council.
The changing nature of conflict in Africa has forced partners to adjust their operations to deal with new challenges and develop.
Safe Donation Line
“The case for fully funding AU-led peace assistance operations is beyond snake. Therefore, we hope that the Security Council will agree to provide its support, including permission access to UN assessed contributions,” she speak.
The report lists the common mission model and support packages provided by the UN as the two most realistic financing options, which will be authorized on a case-by-case basis.
It also outlines a standardized consultative planning and delegation process through which the UN, AU and subregional configurations can assess the response needed to an emerging crisis. .
“This process will reassure the Council that a certain situation has been resolved systematically reviewed by all relevant entities. It will therefore help the Council decide if it is possible to mandate a assessed contribution,” she said.
Increased insecurity, lack of funding
Ms. DiCarlo introduced an overview of the cooperation between the AU and the UN, noting that significant development since the signing of a joint framework in 2017 on strengthening partnerships for peace and security.
Over the past 20 years, she said, the AU has demonstrated a willingness to rapidly deploy peace support operations in response to conflicts, including in Burundi, Central African Republic, Comoros, Mali, Somalia and Sudan.
These missions face frequent problems such as funding shortfalls, and although the support provided by the United Nations and its partners is helpful, it is also unpredictable.
“As we look at different parts of the continent, it is clear that the need to put the AU’s peaceful operations on a solid footing is increasingly urgent,” she said, referring to situations in places like Sahel, Somalia, Mozambique and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“In Africa and elsewhere, increased insecurity is characterized by increased use asymmetrical tactics and the sophistication of armed extremist groups and the expanding influence of transnational organized crime,” she continued. “These interconnected phenomena require commensurate global approaches and responses.”
Compliance progress
Funding of AU-led activities is a long term problem in the Security Council, in particular on the establishment of a mechanism to enable partial funding through assessed UN contributions.
Ms. DiCarlo reported that consistent with two Council resolutions, the AU has made significant progress in addressing the financial challenge to its peace operations, while ensuring compliance with humanitarian law. and international human rights, as well as the United Nations standards of conduct and discipline.
Noting that the AU’s peace operations should be seen as part of the scope of the response to crises in Africa, in addition to the established UN mechanisms, she appealed for support. Council support.
“As the Secretary-General has stated, concrete action on this longstanding issue will resolve a important distance in the international peace and security architecture and to advance the African Union’s efforts to address the challenges of peace and security on the continent.”
Side by side with Africa: Guterres
Meanwhile, the head of the United Nations António Guterres noted that cooperation and solidarity to advance the future of the continent is needed more than ever.
“I wish African governments continue to seize the opportunities presented by the natural, human and business wealth of the continent, by working to increase private investment and mobilize domestic resources,” he said in Message for Africa Day.
The annual celebration in May celebrates the founding of the Organization of the African Union, the forerunner of the African Union, on May 25, 1963.
The Secretary-General urges the international community to stand with Africa as many countries rise – from COVID-19 climate and conflict – continues to cause great suffering there.
He added that African countries are underrepresentation in global governance institutions, such as the United Nations Security Council, and refuse the debt relief and concessional financing they need.
“Africa deserves peace, justice and international solidarity,” he said. “With international cooperation and solidarity, this could be Africa’s century.”
