The United Nations Security Council has formally adopted a resolution, led by Ghana in collaboration with partner nations Gabon and Mozambique, acknowledging the imperative to support and finance African Peace Support Operations that addresses all threats to international peace and security on the Continent, to transcend beyond the conventional Peacekeeping Operations conducted by the United Nations (UN).
A notable breakthrough within the resolution is the commitment to provide UN funding, sourced from assessed contributions, covering up to 75% of the annual budgets for African Union (AU) -led peace support operations mandated by the UN Security Council. Complementing this, the remaining funds will be collaboratively mobilised by the United Nations and the African Union from the international community as extra-budgetary resources.
The resolution is an outcome of high-level signature debates adeptly steered by the President of the Republic, H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey in November 2022, centering on the escalating threats of violent extremism and terrorism in Africa, particularly in the Sahel and coastal West Africa.
The discussions highlighted the necessity to finance operations led by Africa through UN assessed contributions, placing emphasis on ensuring balanced funding for both military operations and addressing the socio-economic and climatic root causes of conflicts.
Another primary objective of the resolution is to disrupt the conditions for radicalisation and recruitment, aiming to counter terrorism at its roots. The adoption of this framework resolution is also anticipated to provide crucial resources and international support to regional security initiatives, including ECOWAS, the Accra Initiative, and the Multi-National Joint Task Force battling Boko Haram.
Commenting on this historic achievement, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, stated, “Today is a great day for Africa and for diplomacy. We have taken a giant step to end the threats to international peace and security in our region.”
As Ghana concludes its term in the UN Security Council, this accomplishment stands as a testament to the nation’s commitment to shaping a future based on sustainable peace and stability in Africa.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
