The African Union Commission (AUC) has concluded the 2nd Knowledge Management, Institutional Capacity-Building and Experience-Sharing Workshop on AU Peace Missions, held in Abuja from 25-27 August 2026, with a call for stronger institutional learning, sustainable financing, accountability and integrated approaches to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of AU peace operations.

Organised by the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the three-day workshop brought together strategic, operational and technical experts to document and share experience from AU Peace Missions, with particular focus on the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission in Ethiopia (AU-MVCM), the AU Support and Stabalization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin.

The workshop built on discussions from the Nairobi workshop and provided a platform for peer exchange and cross-mission learning. Participants examined key issues affecting peace missions, including mandate design and implementation, Women, Peace and Security (WPS), sustainable financing, performance management, compliance and accountability, protection of civilians, community engagement, humanitarian assistance, mission transitions and exit planning, as well as the use of artificial intelligence and digital innovation.

Opening the workshop, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Bankole Adeoye, in remarks delivered by his Special Assistant, Mr. Kaston Adeniyi Ojomo, underscored the importance of stronger partnerships and effective knowledge management as essential foundations for sustainable AU Peace Missions.

Representing the African Development Bank, Mr. Daniel Ugwoke reaffirmed the Bank's commitment to African-led solutions and AU partnerships, noting the importance of strengthening crisis prevention, early warning, institutional capacity and decision-making for more effective peace operations.

Colonel Sheku Tejan Sesay, Coordinator of the AU-MVCM and Acting Coordinator of the Silencing the Guns Unit, emphasized that lessons from current AU Peace Missions will be critical in shaping future strategic planning and operational deployments, particularly in increasingly complex and dynamic mission environments.

Discussions on the evolving political, security and humanitarian landscape highlighted the need for AU Peace Missions to continuously adapt to changing operational environments. Heads of Delegation from AUSSOM, MNJTF and AU-MVCM shared operational experiences, good practices, challenges and innovations in mandate implementation and mission adaptability.

The workshop also focused on cross-mission experience-sharing and thematic discussions aimed at translating lessons learned into practical recommendations for future AU Peace Missions.

Participants stressed that protection of civilians, compliance, community engagement and Women, Peace and Security should be integrated into mission planning and operations rather than treated as supplementary components.

The workshop called for early risk assessments and continuous field monitoring; regular training and clear reporting mechanisms; stronger threat and civilian-vulnerability analysis; enhanced community engagement and early-warning systems; inclusive participation and community feedback mechanisms; effective humanitarian-military coordination while respecting humanitarian principles; and meaningful gender analysis and participation of women in planning, budgeting, protection and operational decision-making.

The workshop further concluded that while military capability remains essential, sustainable peace outcomes also depend on predictable financing, political authority, national ownership, civilian protection, inclusion, community engagement, WPS, technology, maritime awareness, institutional learning and effective transition planning.

Closing the workshop, AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye, in remarks delivered by Mr. Kaston Adeniyi Ojomo, stressed that AU Peace Missions operate in increasingly complex and changing security environments and must therefore continually learn, adapt and improve. He further underscored the importance of continued cooperation among AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms, AU Peace Missions, strategic partners and other relevant institutions.

“African ownership requires African cooperation and institutional coordination, even while strategic external partnerships remain important,” he stated.

The successful conclusion of the workshop marks another step towards strengthening institutional knowledge, operational effectiveness, accountability, inclusivity and sustainability across AU Peace Missions, with participants expected to translate the lessons and recommendations from Abuja into concrete action.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Lulit Kebede| Communication Officer, African Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department | Email:lulitk@africanunion.org 

For more information, please contact:

Directorate of Information and Communication  | African Union Commission | E-mail: DIC@africanunion.org | Web: au.int | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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