President John Dramani Mahama has called for sustainable, predictable and African-owned financing of the continent's peace and security agenda to remedy the persistent conflict situation in Africa.
He affirmed that African ownership of peace must be matched by African ownership of its financing to ensure an African-led solution devoid of external actions that may impede the peace operation of the continental body.
"African ownership of peace and security must be matched by African ownership of its financing. We therefore need a financing architecture that is predictable enough to plan, flexible enough to respond, and sustainable enough to reduce excessive dependence on external resources,” the President said.
President Mahama also welcomed UN Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023, which provides a framework for financing AU-led operations through UN assessed contributions. He also affirmed the importance of predictable and sustainable international financing for African-led peace support operations.
"We encourage continued efforts towards the effective operationalisation of this framework, consistent with the principles of African ownership, accountability, and shared responsibility for maintaining international peace and security," he said.
The President also called for the effective implementation comprehensive mechanisms established under the AU peace and security architecture in the wake of the continent’s persistent and evolving conflict, while describing the summit as both timely and necessary in finding solution for Africa conflict menace.
"Our task thus far is to ensure that these mechanisms are effectively implemented, better coordinated, and adequately resourced," he said.
President Mahama was addressing the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government in Luanda, Angola on Sunday (August 30, 2026).
The summit was convened to consider and adopt a comprehensive Decision, Action Plan and Implementation Matrix on Conflict Prevention and Resolution, against a backdrop of persistent conflicts in parts of the continent.
Early warning, early action
The President said early warning must translate into early action, and early action required resources that were available in a timely and predictable manner.
"We welcome the progress made in operationalising the African Union Peace Fund and support its continued capitalisation towards the $1 billion target," he stated.
He also called for an accelerated implementation of the Peace Fund resource mobilisation strategy, including the effective application of the 0.2 per cent import levy, while strengthening the mobilisation of resources from African financial institutions, the private sector, and other African sources.
He added conflict prevention must be embedded within the broader development agenda, with early warning systems detecting not only imminent threats but also underlying grievances.
Accra Reset
Citing the Accra Reset, President Mahama said the initiative carried many important nuggets for self-financing, not only for healthcare but also for peace and safety.
"As we consider the decisions, action plan, and implementation matrix arising from this summit, Ghana encourages us to ensure that our commitments are supported by clear responsibilities, timelines, measurable indicators, and importantly, credible and sustainable financing arrangements.
"We have spoken on this topic for too long, and it is time for us to move from words to action," he stressed.
In a second intervention as AU Champion for Reparations, President Mahama briefed the Assembly on progress after the UN General Assembly passed Resolution A/RES/82/50 on March 25, declaring the enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity.
"This was achieved by a coalition of the African Union, CARICOM, and the African Diaspora. This was a historic resolution, which, after 80 years of the existence of the UN, put on record, with a record majority of 123 member states endorsing the resolution," he said.
President Mahama said Next Steps Conference held in June this year in Accra, which decided to also add indentured labour as a historical injustice against humanity has produced outstanding results with several actors in the historical injustice participating at the summit and making commitment to reparartions.
"Many countries have started to talk about it and address the issue of reparations. They are returning looted artefacts. France has recently repealed the Code Noir, which provided the legal basis for enslavement of Africans and people of black descent.
"Pope Leo XIV formally apologised on behalf of the Catholic Church for their role in legitimizing the slave trade. The Archbishop of Canterbury apologized in Cape Coast for their role in the slave trade and announced a £100 million reparatory justice fund," President Mahama stated.
He announced that as a side event of the 81st UNGA Session in September, an update would be received from the high-level panel and committee of experts established in Accra, and extended an invitation to colleague Heads of State to attend.
