Gambia Joins AU Executive Council Session on Strengthening Conflict Prevention and Resolution
The Gambia has joined other African Union (AU) Member States for the opening of the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, currently being held at the InterContinental Hotel in Luanda, Republic of Angola.
The Gambian delegation is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Hon. Sering Modou Njie, who attended the opening ceremony alongside senior Gambian officials.
The delegation includes Ms. Fatou Kinneh Jobe, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Musa Mbye, Permanent Secretary at the Office of the Vice President; the Deputy Head of Mission at The Gambia’s Embassy in Addis Ababa; and Mrs. Tunko Jallow, First Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Extraordinary Session is being held under the theme “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.”
It brings together African ministers and senior officials to assess existing continental peace and security mechanisms and explore measures to strengthen their effectiveness.
Opening the session, H.E. Edouard Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the AU Executive Council, called for stronger and more coordinated continental responses to Africa’s persistent and emerging security challenges.
He highlighted the importance of existing mechanisms under the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), including the AU Peace and Security Council, Continental Early Warning System, African Standby Force and AU Peace Fund.
These mechanisms provide a foundation for conflict prevention, mediation, peacekeeping and peacebuilding across the continent.
The session is also addressing a range of security threats confronting Africa, including terrorism and violent extremism, transnational organised crime, interstate tensions, unconstitutional changes of government, humanitarian crises, youth exclusion, climate insecurity and emerging technological threats.
Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems and preventive diplomacy while improving coordination among the AU Commission, the Peace and Security Council, Member States and Regional Economic Communities.
He also underscored the importance of sustainable financing for Africa’s peace and security agenda.
The session is being convened under the leadership of H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and AU Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa.
The meeting is expected to produce strategic recommendations aimed at strengthening Africa’s capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts and advance the continent’s goal of “Silencing the Guns” by 2030.
The Gambia’s participation underscores its continued engagement in continental initiatives aimed at promoting peace, stability, good governance and sustainable development across Africa.
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