Abuja: Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission (AUC), has emphasized the need for enhanced investment in the Africa Peace Fund to support the continent's growth and stability. Adeoye highlighted this during a working dinner themed 'Africa and global shift in governance, peace and security; a compelling agenda for ECOWAS and AU legacy solutions.'
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Adeoye pointed out that the current endowment of the Peace Fund by member states stands at $400 million, with only the interest, amounting to $27 million annually, available for expenditure. He contrasted this with the $15 million monthly requirement for peace operations in Somalia alone, underscoring the significant financial challenges. Adeoye called on key African nations such as Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco to increase their contributions as tier one countries within the African Union system, emphasizing the importance of self-reliance and South-South cooperation over dependence on Western or Northern powers.
Adeoye stressed the importance of grassroots collaboration among African countries, dismissing the notion of a top-down imposition of a United States of Africa. He advocated for regional integration and cooperation, akin to the European Union model, where seamless movement across member states is possible. Adeoye praised ECOWAS as a leader in this endeavor and encouraged other communities to follow suit.
He also supported the call for a reformed and inclusive United Nations Security Council and committed to partnering with civil society to champion not only political and civil rights but also women's, economic, social, and cultural rights. Highlighting Nigeria's ongoing role in the African Union Peace and Security Council, Adeoye acknowledged the country's efforts in peace enforcement, particularly in combatting Boko Haram.
Amb. Musa Nuhu, Nigerian Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, reiterated the necessity of African ownership of continent-specific challenges, advocating for political will and mobilization of peace processes to overcome these obstacles.