AUC Chairperson this afternoon received Donald Kaberuka, AU Special Envoy on Sustainable Financing for the Union & Financing for Peace in Africa

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this afternoon received Donald Kaberuka, AU Special Envoy on Sustainable Financing for the Union & Financing for Peace in Africa, for consultations on advancing the reform agenda of the AU.

The discussions formed part of the Chairperson's ongoing consultations, in line with the guidance of the AU Assembly at its 39th Ordinary Session, on strengthening institutional reforms & ensuring the effective implementation of the Union's mandate.

Dr. Kaberuka commended the Chairperson & the leadership of the Commission in advancing reform initiatives, including the operationalisation of the
Skills Audit and Competency Assessment (SACA). He, however, cautioned the evolving geopolitical environment & shifts in international development financing present growing challenges for multilateral institutions. In this regard, he underscored the importance of sustainable & predictable contributions from Member States to safeguard the Union's financial sovereignty & enable it to deliver on the aspirations of the African people.

The Chairperson reaffirmed that financial sovereignty remains a central priority of the new leadership of the Commission in advancing the objectives of Agenda 2063. He welcomed the decision of the Assembly to convene a joint session of Ministers of Foreign Affairs & Ministers of Finance to consult on & develop a sustainable financing model for the Union.
The meeting also discussed the importance of greater coordination & harmonisation among the various specialised offices & institutions of the AU where necessary, in order to enhance coherence & ensure more effective delivery of the Union's mandate.

Dr. Kaberuka further briefed the Chairperson on ongoing efforts to secure sustainable financing for peace operations in Africa, noting the opportunities presented by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719. The Chairperson agreed that the resolution provides the most viable & sustainable framework for supporting African-led peace support operations.

The Deputy Chairperson of the Commission, Salma Malika Haddadi, provided an update on the current status of the institutional reforms undertaken thus far, while Dagmawit Moges, Director of the African Union Peace Fund, briefed the meeting on the implementation of the Fund.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to accelerate the reform process, with the Chairperson affirming that the new leadership of the Commission will prioritise the implementation of the AU reform agenda.