The African Union Commission’s (AUC) Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS) has been advancing a transformative agenda for peace, security, and governance across Africa.
By Ekemini Ladejobi
Under the leadership of Amb. Bankole Adeoye, the current AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, the department has reinforced the AU’s role as a proactive, unified force in addressing continental challenges.
PAPS is one of six portfolios rationalized and established during the Eleventh Extraordinary Session held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 17–18, 2018.
The department was created by merging the Political Affairs and Peace and Security departments, which were previously two separate entities.
According to the AU, the new department focuses on one of the four key priorities of the continental body: political affairs, peace and security, economic integration, and Africa’s global representation and voice.
PAPS’ mandate was developed from its larger Pan-African vision as defined in the aspirations of Agenda 2063, especially Aspirations 3 and 4. While Aspiration 3 envisions “an Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice, and the rule of law,” Aspiration 4 envisions “a peaceful and secure Africa.”
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Some of the core functions of PAPS include continuous monitoring of Africa’s political, peace, and security trends; timely assessment, analysis, and reporting on these trends through early warning systems; supporting conflict prevention by developing and disseminating legal and policy frameworks on governance, political, peace, and security issues; and facilitating conflict management efforts, including peace-support operations, mediation, and dialogue interventions.
PAPS also supports post-conflict reconstruction and the development of policies and strategies.
Achievements and challenges
Some stakeholders say that although challenges persist, Adeoye’s vision since his election in 2021 has helped equip PAPS for success.
Mr. Brian Kwayedza, a Zimbabwean lawyer and international affairs analyst, highlighted Adeoye’s emphasis on accelerating the implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). He also noted that the vision has fast-tracked the African Governance Architecture (AGA), guided by shared values of peace and development.
“Over the past three, going on four years, PAPS has made significant strides. Peace enforcement has been prioritized as a strategic tool to combat violent extremism and terrorism. The department facilitated the peace process that led to the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front in Pretoria on November 2, 2022.
“In addition, PAPS provided strategic and operational support to the Peace and Security Council (PSC), enhancing early warning systems and informed decision-making through regular consultations,” he said.
Others credit the commissioner for improving early warning mechanisms and advancing conflict prevention, mediation, and management. They cite the Ethiopia-Tigray peace process, culminating in the landmark 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, as a significant achievement facilitated by Adeoye and his team.
“He launched the AU Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention (I-RECKE), which has helped foster collaboration among regional and international stakeholders. Improved early warning capabilities have led to increased intelligence-sharing among bodies such as the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services and the AU Mechanism for Police Cooperation,” an analyst said.
However, critics argue that the AU has not done enough in conflict prevention, entrenching good governance, or countering violent extremism across the continent.
“Africa has recently experienced unprecedented unconstitutional regime changes, increased activities of violent extremists, and higher trans-border terrorism and terrorism funding. It appears that the AU is stuck with a weak conflict management system, leading many to refer to it as a toothless bulldog.
“For instance, what concrete measures has it taken against the juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Chad?” an analyst asked, adding that these responsibilities fall partly or wholly under PAPS.
Recommendations for strengthening PAPS
In 2024, Nigeria hosted a two-day high-level African counter-terrorism summit in Abuja, themed “Strengthening Regional Cooperation and Institution Building to Address the Evolving Threat of Terrorism.” The summit proffered “African-led and African-owned” solutions to terrorism and violent extremism that have turned the continent into a hotbed of insecurity.
One key issue discussed was operationalizing the African Standby Force to enhance the continent’s capacity for rapid conflict response.
If reelected in March, stakeholders suggest Adeoye should prioritize strengthening the institutional capacity of the AUC, particularly specialized agencies such as the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), the AU Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL), and the AU Centre for Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD).
The AUC also needs global support to strengthen counter-terrorism structures like the Regional Intelligence Fusion Unit (RIFU), ACSRT, and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA).
In May 2022, at the Declaration of the 16th Extraordinary Summit of the African Union Assembly, African leaders agreed to establish the African Union Ministerial Committee on Counter-Terrorism. The committee is tasked with serving as a high-level coordination, monitoring, and follow-up mechanism for implementing commitments made in the Malabo Declaration.
Analysts recommend that PAPS under Adeoye explore better cooperation and synergy in these areas.
Stakeholders who support Adeoye’s reelection cite his resource mobilization for the MNJTF and his role in advancing the Lake Chad Basin Stabilization Strategy. They also praise his adoption of a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the AU’s Master Roadmap on Silencing the Guns by 2030, which has driven accountability and progress.
Critical challenges
PAPS still faces significant hurdles, including a limited budget for peace and security, a lack of human resources and capacity, the exponential spread of terrorism and violent extremism, external interference in African conflicts, and renewed acute geopolitical competition on the continent.
Nevertheless, stakeholders hope the department will continue championing Pan-African ideals for effective governance, peace, and stability in alignment with the AU’s Agenda 2063 – The Africa We Want.
NANFeatures
