France to host talks on funding Africa’s peace missions
Emmanuel Macron says France will host an international conference aimed at securing sustainable financing for African peace operations, in support of the African Union (AU).
Macron made the announcement following discussions with Ethiopian leaders, as momentum grows around efforts to strengthen Africa’s capacity to manage its own security challenges without overreliance on external funding. The planned conference is expected to bring together global partners, financial institutions, and AU member states to explore long-term funding solutions for peacekeeping missions across the continent.
The AU has long faced funding constraints in deploying and sustaining peace operations in conflict-affected regions, including the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. Currently, many AU-led missions depend heavily on external donors, particularly the United Nations and Western partners, raising concerns about sustainability and autonomy.
France’s move signals renewed engagement with African security priorities at a time when geopolitical competition and shifting alliances are reshaping influence across the continent. Macron emphasized the need for predictable and independent financing mechanisms that would allow African-led missions to respond faster and more effectively to crises.
The conference is also expected to align with ongoing discussions at the United Nations over proposals to support AU peace missions through UN-assessed contributions—an idea that has gained traction but remains under negotiation.
For African countries, the initiative could mark a step toward greater ownership of continental security, while reducing delays often caused by funding gaps. Analysts say the outcome of the conference will be closely watched as Africa seeks more control over how its peace operations are funded and managed.
