Nairobi – In 2026 Africa stands at a crossroads. The continent hosts some of the world’s fastest‑growing economies and a youthful population, yet security challenges—from Sahel insurgencies and the Sudan war to persistent instability in the Great Lakes region—are increasingly transnational, asymmetrical and humanitarian‑draining. Addressing these threats now requires coordinated, African‑led multilateral action.
The African Union (AU) is steering this effort through its African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). APSA promotes “African solutions to African problems” and marks a shift from the more passive stance of the former Organization of African Unity. By embracing a principle of non‑indifference, the AU has intervened in situations of war crimes and genocide, reflecting a modern view of sovereignty as a responsibility.
APSA places Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) at the forefront of conflict resolution, invoking the principle of subsidiarity. Proximity to crises gives RECs and RMs deeper insight into root causes and a stronger stake in outcomes. Peacekeeping remains central to this approach, now extending beyond cease‑fire monitoring to integrate military action, political reconciliation and humanitarian assistance. The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) exemplifies this evolution, having secured legitimacy and a clear mandate while highlighting the need for predictable funding. United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023), which channels UN‑assessed contributions to AU peace operations, is a step toward closing that financing gap.
Funding initiatives are expanding. Kenyan President William Ruto, an advocate for AU institutional reform, has proposed increasing the AU Peace Fund from roughly $400 million to $1 billion. The larger fund would support mediation, preventive diplomacy and crisis management, reducing reliance on external donors and leveraging African financial institutions.
Mediation continues to prove effective. The “Quintet” – comprising the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the League of Arab States, the European Union and the United Nations – is coordinating efforts to resolve the Sudan crisis, aligning diverse actors to sustain pressure on belligerents and secure a broadly accepted peace agreement.
Counter‑terrorism (CT) strategies also reflect multilateral cooperation. The AU’s 1999 Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism and the 2002 Action Plan underpin regional task forces that blend military action with prevention of violent extremism. Notable examples include the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram and ISWAP in the Lake Chad basin and the G5 Sahel Joint Force operating in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. International partners such as the UN, EU and NATO provide technical capacity‑building, training and funding, ensuring interventions are locally appropriate and compliant with international law.
International financial partners remain pivotal. The EU, recently recognised by the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security department as its most valued partner, continues to be the primary backer of African peace support operations. Contributions also extend to climate‑adaptation expertise, addressing resource‑scarcity‑driven conflicts in the Horn of Africa.
Multilateral cooperation, anchored in African leadership and supported by global partners, is now the essential pathway to sustainable peace and security across the continent.
