President Mahama Champions Sustainable Financing for African Peace and Security at Luanda AU Summit

President John Dramani Mahama has called for a decisive shift toward sustainable, African-owned financing for the continent's peace and security initiatives. Speaking at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly in Luanda, Angola, President Mahama emphasized that the complex nature of modern conflicts requires predictable resources and early action. He strongly endorsed the operationalization of the African Union Peace Fund, advocating for the urgent implementation of resource mobilization strategies to reach its $1 billion target. To achieve this, the President highlighted the importance of the 0.2% import levy and encouraged the mobilization of funds from African financial institutions and the private sector to reduce reliance on external partners.

During the summit, President Mahama welcomed the UN Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023, which provides a framework for financing AU-led peace operations through UN-assessed contributions. He argued that while international support is vital, African ownership and accountability are the cornerstones of lasting peace. This sentiment was echoed by AU Chairperson and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who stressed that sustainable funding is the only way to ensure the continent can implement its own security solutions. President Mahama further endorsed the Luanda Action Plan, a strategic framework prioritizing early warning systems and preventative diplomacy to address grievances before they escalate into open conflict.

Expanding on the thematic causes of instability, Ghana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, urged African leaders to confront the root drivers of extremism, including youth unemployment, corruption, and resource exploitation. Addressing the AU Executive Council, Ablakwa noted that Africa is "running out of time" and must shift priorities from funding conflict to creating meaningful economic opportunities for its growing youth population. He argued that the migration of young Africans in search of better lives abroad is a direct symptom of the failure to provide security and jobs at home. Additionally, President Mahama touched on the historical context of African security, referencing the recent UN resolution on reparations for the enslavement of Africans and reaffirming Ghana’s commitment to hosting the Next Steps Conference in Accra.

President Mahama has since returned to Accra to resume his official duties following the conclusion of the summit. He was accompanied to Luanda by a high-level delegation, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), and Colonel Larry Gbevlo-Lartey (Rtd.), Ghana’s Special Envoy to the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). The President’s return marks the beginning of a renewed domestic and regional push to integrate conflict prevention within broader development agendas, ensuring that peacebuilding efforts are coupled with tangible economic growth.