African Union foreign ministers convened in Luanda for a high-level executive session focused on strengthening the continent’s conflict prevention, management, and resolution frameworks. According to reports from the Angolan capital, the meetings precede a broader gathering of heads of state aimed at reviewing conclusions and orientations from the executive council.
The 26th extraordinary session of the African Union Executive Council opened on Saturday, August 29, 2026, under the direction of Angolan President João Lourenço. Ministers tackled the draft “Luanda decisions,” a comprehensive package featuring an action plan and an implementation matrix designed to address persistent security challenges across the continent.
Financing Peace and Securing Sustainable Budgets
During the executive discussions, Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulkader Houssein Omar emphasized that African-led responses to crises require stable monetary backing. According to the Djiboutian delegation, guaranteeing the African Peace Fund a predictable, adequate, and sustainable funding model remains the primary condition for effective intervention.
The financial overhaul forms a central pillar of the Luanda decisions. Member states are evaluating structured funding pathways to reduce reliance on external partners and ensure prompt deployment during emerging security emergencies.
Strengthening Preventive Diplomacy and Regional Coordination
Beyond funding structures, the discussions zeroed in on operational coordination between the continental body and regional blocs. Minister Abdoulkader Houssein Omar called for enhanced preventive diplomacy and tighter cooperation between the African Union and Regional Economic Communities, which operate as key actors in mediation.
The framework also stresses inclusive participation. Officials highlighted the integration of women and youths into mediation processes as an essential component of long-term stability.
Revitalizing Regional Frameworks Against Terrorism
To combat violent extremism and localized hotspots, the executive council pointed to established regional mechanisms. The minister urged the revitalization of both the Nouakchott and Djibouti processes, which serve as regional cooperation frameworks capable of contributing to the fight against terrorism and extremism, as well as the search for solutions to major tension hotspots on the continent.
These discussions lay the groundwork for the 21st extraordinary session of the AU Assembly.
Keep reading