The newly elected African Union Commission (AUC) took office following their successful election on February 15, 2025. About seventeen African states are currently in conflict, either within their borders or with neighboring states. Some states that are in conflict include the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan, with an estimated death toll of 5.4 million and 61,000 people, respectively.
These ongoing conflicts across the continent threaten international relations among African countries. The AUC, led by the AU Chairperson, has to strengthen the continental Early Warning System (EWS), offer membership and economic incentives to the countries in conflict. Additionally, the AUC should implore member states to adhere to their obligated donation to the peacekeeping missions so that the AU stops relying heavily on external donors.
The newly elected AU Chairperson, Ambassador Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, must expedite mediation among different countries and armed groups in conflict. The World Bank warns that conflicts and political instabilities on the continent will impede economic growth in the region. This warning underscores the need for the just-elected African Union Chairperson to explore his diplomatic representation role by presenting solutions to the conflicts on the continent.
To deal with the wars, the AU Chairperson should strengthen the Continental Early Warning System. Strengthening the EWS requires collecting and analyzing data to check on the possibility of an impending conflict. The analyzed data will then inform the sending of mediators to ease political tensions before elections or referendums that threaten a country’s stability.
The data will also inform timely warnings against individuals or groups engaging in actions that may lead to instability. The role the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) played in Kyrgyzstan’s 2010 ethnic riots is a good case study. The SCO, through its EWS, intervened in the escalating violence, coordinating between the Russian and Kyrgyz governments to prevent broader civil war.
In addition, the AU should offer financial and membership incentives to countries that are in conflict. The European Union’s approach to the Yugoslav wars in the western Balkans is a prime example. The financial incentives may include trade pacts and the provision of aid to rebuild infrastructure, reform institutions, and strengthen civil society.
Regarding membership incentives, the AU may withdraw the membership of a state that has adamantly refused to adhere to the union’s policies that are meant to ensure peace and stability. A withdrawn country may then be offered readmission only after meeting certain obligations leading to peace and stability.
The AU Chairperson should work with member states to ensure financial independence for the AU peacekeeping missions and not rely heavily on external donors. As the United Nations Security Council reports, the African peacekeeping missions are mainly hindered by inadequate funding. The AU Chairperson should seek to engage the heads of state at a personal level to implore them to adhere to their obligated contributions for the Peace Fund. His office should also push for full functionality and funding of the African Standby Force to enable rapid deployment in conflict zones.
The continent’s growth relies on peace and healthy diplomatic relations. For intra-continental trade to work, there needs to be a conducive environment that fosters unity among the member states. The AU Chairperson has a huge role to play in ensuring that long-lasting diplomatic relations and peace are realized on the continent.
Oyamo Richard is a writing fellow at African Liberty. He is on X (Twitter): @OyamoPoet
Article was first published in Rainbow News Zambia.
Photo by AMISON via Iwaria.