The 19th of August marks World Humanitarian Day. So, does humanitarianism go hand in hand with peacekeeping? Yes!
When addressing the media at this year’s UN Security Council debate on Women, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said something very important. She said, “The international community has a responsibility to empower AU missions to respond to Africa’s growing security challenges. The financing resolution, which the UN unanimously adopted at the end of last year, is a major steppingstone to that end – putting African leaders at the forefront, and African people at the centre.”
The UN resolution Ambassador Greenfield is referring to is Resolution 2719 of 2023 where the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) unanimously agreed to fund the African Union (AU) peacekeeping missions but on a case-by-case basis.
As we wait to mark this year’s Humanitarian Day, Development Reimagined has released a policy brief that delves into peacekeeping and humanitarian aid in Africa. Two concepts that are highly intertwined and necessary in Africa. The policy brief titled, “Who is Really Silencing the Guns in Africa?”. It underscores the importance of localising peacekeeping and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa while providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of peacekeeping and humanitarian aid in Africa and highlighting the benefits of “African Solutions to African Problems.” Given that localisation has become a buzzword – our policy brief offers suggestions for turning this buzzword into action by highlighting the: –
- Historical and status of peacekeeping operations,
- Effectiveness of African-led peacekeeping,
- Challenges Faced by African-led operations, and
- Humanitarian aid landscape in Africa.
DR has also included calls for action such as the need to work more closely with local actors, increased funding not just to the AU but also regional blocs given that the Southern African Development Community (SADC) approved a peacekeeping mission to Mozambique. The mission faced significant financial challenges leading to reduced food supplies and the lack of salary payment to peacekeepers.
Overall, the brief emphasises for a shift towards localised solutions in both peacekeeping and humanitarian aid, highlighting the benefits of such an approach and calling for concrete actions from various stakeholders to support this transition.
Our policy brief is a crucial read for development, foreign policy, and security stakeholders, including the African Union Peace and Security Council, African Regional Organizations, humanitarian aid agencies, and policymakers.
For a deeper understanding read the full policy brief here in English.
