Macron Urges Africa to Lead Its Own Peace and Security Efforts
During a trilateral meeting in Addis Ababa, French President Emmanuel Macron reiterated that African institutions should take the primary role in addressing the continent’s political and security crises. Speaking after discussions with African Union Commission Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, Macron said, “We believe that African problems must be solved and coordinated primarily by Africa.” His remarks came at the conclusion of a five‑day tour that began in Egypt and included the Africa Forward summit in Kenya.
AU Recognised as the Legitimate Mediator
Macron affirmed France’s full support for the mediation efforts coordinated by the African Union, describing the AU as the “legitimate body” to tackle Africa’s challenges. AU Commission Chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf echoed this sentiment, noting that the talks focused extensively on peace and security and highlighted France’s contributions within the UN Security Council to stabilise tension hotspots.
The dialogue reinforced growing calls for the AU to assume a more central role in crisis management across the continent, shifting from external interventions to African‑led diplomacy.
Financing Peace: Paris Conference and the African Union Peace Fund
To bolster African peacekeeping capabilities, Macron announced that Paris will host an international conference later this year aimed at raising additional funding for the African Union Peace Fund. Established in 1993, the fund lay largely dormant for two decades before being revived in 2018. According to the AU’s 2024 financial report, the fund has mobilised around US $400 million in contributions this year.
Macron also urged full implementation of UN Resolution 2719, adopted in 2023, which creates a mechanism for binding contributions from UN member states to AU peace operations. He argued that reliable, predictable financing is essential for the AU to develop “more capacity” for peacekeeping and to build its own mediation mechanisms.
Strengthening Africa’s Peacekeeping Capacity
Throughout his visit, Macron stressed that while France stands ready to support institutional development, African leadership must remain at the forefront. He pointed to the need for the AU to:
- Expand its rapid‑deployment peacekeeping brigades;
- Create permanent mediation panels capable of early‑warning and conflict prevention;
- Enhance logistics and training programmes through partnerships with willing member states.
The French president’s itinerary included a bilateral meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ahead of the trilateral AU summit—a gesture underscoring France’s evolving approach to partnerships that prioritise African agency.
Context and Implications
Macron’s stance aligns with a broader shift in French foreign policy toward reducing direct military interventions and instead empowering regional organisations. Analysts at the Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI) note that such a strategy could improve the legitimacy and sustainability of peace operations, provided that funding and capacity‑building commitments are fulfilled.
By championing AU‑led solutions, France seeks to balance its historic ties with Africa with the continent’s growing demand for sovereignty in security matters. The upcoming Paris conference on the African Union Peace Fund will be a litmus test for whether international donors can translate political support into tangible resources.
References
- French Presidency. “President Macron’s Address at the African Union Headquarters.” Addis Ababa, May 2024. elysee.fr
- United Nations. “Resolution 2719 (2023) on Financing of African Union Peace Operations.” UN Docs, 2023. undocs.org
- African Union Commission. “Annual Financial Report 2024: Peace Fund Addis Ababa.” AU Press Release, March 2024. au.int
- Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI). “France’s New Africa Strategy: From Intervention to Partnership.” IFRI Policy Brief, April 2024. ifri.org
