Peacebuilding at a Crossroads: Africa's Future Hangs in the Balance
Tomorrow, November 17th, a crucial meeting takes place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the potential to shape the future of peace in Africa. The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) and the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission (UNPBC) convene for their 8th Annual Consultative Meeting, a dialogue that has evolved from informal consultations into a formal platform for collaboration.
But here's where it gets controversial: While the meeting aims to strengthen cooperation, the realities on the ground present a complex and often contradictory landscape.
The meeting, co-chaired by Churchill Ewumbue-Monono of Cameroon and Ricklef Beutin of Germany, will hear statements from key figures like Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, UN Special Representative to the AU.
Building on the 7th Consultative Meeting, this session occurs during the AU's Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Awareness Raising Week. The 7th Meeting's Joint Statement emphasized the PBC's role in mobilizing international support and the AU's leadership in implementing PCRD policies. It also highlighted the need for stronger cooperation between the AU's PCRD unit in Cairo and the UN Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO) to effectively implement the AU-UN Memorandum of Understanding on Peacebuilding.
And this is the part most people miss: The Pact for the Future, adopted in September 2024, injects renewed political momentum into peacebuilding efforts. However, this momentum collides with the ongoing 2025 Peacebuilding Architecture Review (PBAR), which demands a critical examination of operational effectiveness and measurable impact.
The first agenda item, 'Review of Collaborative Peacebuilding Efforts and Priorities,' will likely be led by the AUPSC Chair. This segment will showcase joint AU-PBC achievements in peacebuilding and sustaining peace in Africa, with a focus on conflict prevention, sustainable financing, and integrating peacebuilding with development priorities.
A contentious point arises: While the Common African Position (CAP) developed in 2020 identified twelve core peacebuilding priorities, these priorities are increasingly challenged by intersecting crises: political transitions marred by terrorism, rising debt, institutional fragility, contested government legitimacy, pandemics, geopolitical tensions, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
The second agenda item tackles the critical issue of Youth – linkages between development and Peacebuilding. The AUPSC and the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace will present, with the PBC providing an update on youth engagement in peacebuilding.
A bold question emerges: Can peacebuilding truly succeed without directly addressing the root causes of youth discontent, such as lack of economic opportunities and disillusionment with governance?
The PBC's presentation will highlight its involvement in initiatives like the Africa Regional Consultation for the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS), mandated by the Pact for the Future. This consultation platform amplifies the voices and contributions of young people in peace processes.
The Peacebuilding Support Office's 2025 Thematic Review on YPS, based on 41 PBF-funded projects across 33 countries, offers valuable insights into best practices for engaging youth in decision-making and fostering YPS linkages.
The final agenda item focuses on Peacebuilding Initiatives in South Sudan, Sahel countries, and the Lake Chad Basin. These regions exemplify the complexities of peacebuilding in fragile contexts.
South Sudan: The recent escalation of violence threatens the fragile peace established under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Urgent preventive diplomacy, renewed commitment to the peace agreement, and sustained support for UNMISS are crucial.
Sahel: Political transitions in the Sahel are fraught with violent extremism, terrorist groups, and a lack of trust among regional and international actors. A comprehensive stabilization strategy, developed and implemented jointly with Sahel countries, is essential to address the existential threats they face.
Lake Chad Basin: Despite efforts by the LCB Commission and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF), Boko Haram remains a persistent threat. The MNJTF faces challenges due to climate vulnerabilities, security fragilities, and governance weaknesses, necessitating a reevaluation and scaling up of peacebuilding interventions.
The meeting is expected to conclude with a joint statement urging Member States to integrate peacebuilding and social cohesion into their National Development Strategies, emphasizing national ownership, inclusive participation, and addressing the development and governance deficits fueling youth protests and migration.
The ultimate question remains: Can this meeting translate into tangible action, bridging the gap between ambitious goals and the harsh realities on the ground? The future of peace in Africa depends on it.
What are your thoughts? Do you believe this meeting can catalyze meaningful change, or are the challenges too daunting? Share your perspectives in the comments below.
