African Union sounds alarm on escalating conflicts, governance crisis in Africa

African Union (AU) on Monday warned against the effects of escalating conflicts and unconstitutional government changes that threaten the democratic foundations and security of African countries.

In an address at a continental peace and security-themed meeting held at the AU headquarters, Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, Director of Conflict Management within the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the AU Commission highlighted the critical need for active engagement and robust security measures.

Bah noted that the current global landscape, fraught with geopolitical tensions and major power rivalries, significantly impacts Africa. "Africa is not immune to these challenges. We are witnessing the rise of transnational threats that test the very fabric of our security architecture."

He pointed to the alarming rise in conflicts across regions such as Eastern DRC, the Horn of Africa, and the Sahel. "These conflicts, coupled with a worrying trend of unconstitutional changes of governments, have threatened the democratic foundations and security of our nations," Bah said.

He warned that these events create vacuums exploited by terrorist groups and violent extremists, with external actors further destabilising societies and hindering progress towards sustainable peace.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the conflict in the eastern regions has intensified. The area has long been plagued by armed groups vying for control over vast mineral resources. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of violence primarily driven by militias such as the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and the March 23 Movement (M23).

The conflict has resulted in severe humanitarian crises, with mass displacements and widespread human rights abuses. Despite efforts by the Congolese government and international partners, the situation remains volatile, exacerbating regional instability.

Similarly, the Horn of Africa is experiencing escalating conflicts, particularly in Ethiopia and Somalia. Ethiopia has been grappling with a devastating civil conflict since November 2020, when fighting broke out between the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The conflict has led to thousands of deaths and displaced millions, with reports of atrocities and severe humanitarian conditions.

In response to these challenges, the African Union highlighted the essential assistance provided to Member States and their populations in mitigating the impacts of conflict and instability. Central to these efforts is the African Standby Force (ASF), which Bah described as a "beacon of our commitment."

The ASF is designed to respond rapidly to conflicts and emergencies, enhancing the continent's collective capacity for conflict management and resolution.

However, Bah acknowledged that the ASF is still a work in progress, emphasising the urgent need for its full operationalisation to meet the continent's pressing security demands.

"Regrettably, to date, the ASF remains a work in progress—a situation that we need to change," he stated.

The meeting, held in Addis Ababa, brought together key stakeholders and leaders to deliberate on strategic measures to address the current security landscape