He urged all world leaders, both those in the Council and those beyond the continent, to help the AU succeed.

“A special partnership”

The 55-member body was established in July 2002, and ambassadors gathered to discuss how the UN’s relationship with the group has developed and what still needs to be done.

According to Mr. Guterres, “Over the past 20 years, the African Union and the United Nations have built a unique collaboration anchored in the principles of complementarity, respect, and African ownership—a cooperation that has become a cornerstone of multilateralism.”

He outlined some of the most recent achievements in their collaboration, such as joint ECOWAS and West African regional bloc actions to help the prompt restoration of constitutional order in Burkina Faso, Guinea, and Mali.

Threats from terrorism and government

The UN chief spoke on ongoing problems in Africa, saying that “too frequently, the use of force is deemed the sole means to resolve disagreements.”

Along with an increase in illegitimate government transitions, the continent has also seen affiliates of the terrorist organizations Da’esh and al-Qaida carry out deadly attacks in the Sahel and strive to expand their influence.

Furthermore, the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Sudan, and Libya continue to be affected by lengthy conflicts and catastrophic humanitarian crises.

Early conflict detection

He stated, “Violence against women, particularly human rights campaigners, is rising.” We also notice a surge in hate speech and disinformation, frequently employed as weapons of war. ”

The answer, according to the Secretary-General, is obvious. African states must improve their ability to recognise conflict’s early warning signs and stop it before it turns violent.

Addressing governance flaws that impair stability and sustainable development, such as limitations on human rights and freedoms, is equally important, he continued.

Environmental action

In addition, the UN chief emphasised the need to address the climate emergency, which is to blame for disasters, including droughts, hurricanes, and flash floods.

Even though the region barely contributes to global greenhouse gas emissions, he claimed that for many Africans, climate change “is not a distant threat, but a daily reality.”

He declared, “This is a textbook instance of ethical and financial unfairness.”

Despite significant obstacles, Mr. Guterres applauded the African states, regions, and towns for adopting aggressive climate action.

Appealing to wealthy nations

He encouraged affluent governments to follow through on their pledges to provide $100 billion annually to fund reduction and adaptation in developing countries as the COP27 UN climate change summit in Egypt approaches.

He added, “COP27 must also provide concrete action on loss and damage.” “Trust between industrialised and developing nations is only one aspect of this. It is a matter of survival for many countries, especially in Africa.

In the meantime, the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict have fueled an unprecedented global cost-of-living crisis that has had devastating social and economic repercussions.

The most defenceless individuals in the world have been severely harmed.

The UN head referred to the situation as “unacceptable” and recalled his recent plea for a significant increase in development aid.

Multilateral banks and international financial organisations must remove the obstacles preventing developing nations from obtaining the necessary financing. A thriving global debt reduction mechanism is also required. This mechanism must function immediately for many African countries, he said.

The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, tells the Security Council meeting how the UN works with regional and subregional institutions to uphold global peace and security.

Africans have access

According to Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chair of the AU Commission, in his briefing to the Council, “the most debated problem” at the United Nations is

Around 70% of UN peacekeeping deployments are in Africa, and he pondered how much money has been spent there and what the results have been.

Africa has made sacrifices in pursuit of peace and security, according to Mr. Faki, who attended by videoconference.

“Africa still faces many obstacles, so we require more than declarations. He said in French, “We need to set a timetable for talking about the future of Africa.”

He added that the continent must have access to “the infinite universe of research and modern technology.”

Bolster the connections

He stated, “Let one half of the world no longer groan under the weight of its luxury while the other half cries under the agony of hunger and destitution.”

In particular, between their specialised agencies, special envoys, and respective authorities for sustaining peace and security, Mr. Faki urged the continued strengthening of the UN-AU collaboration.

He states, “The task of achieving peace in Africa is too difficult not to open the avenues of finding its solutions to all of us in respect, equality, solidarity, inclusion, and sharing.”

Analysis by: Advocacy Unified Network