Africa: U.S. Backs Stronger AU-UN Role in Africa Conflicts, Supports UN Financing for AU-Led Missions

What the report says

The United States has voiced support for a stronger African Union-United Nations partnership in responding to conflicts across Africa, according to a report distributed by AllAfrica from Capital FM in Nairobi. The remarks were made by Jeffrey Bartos, the U.S. representative for UN management and reform, in comments to the UN Security Council.

Bartos said closer coordination between the AU and UN was especially important in Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the Sahel, where fighting and militant violence continue to undermine stability. He pointed to UN Security Council Resolution 2719 as a possible financing tool for AU-led peace support operations authorized by the Security Council. The U.S. view, as reported, is that such missions could help the AU play a larger role while drawing on UN funding and support.

At the same time, Washington said the mechanism should be used cautiously and only in limited, time-bound missions with clear goals. The U.S. said it would consider cases individually to decide where the framework fits best.

The report comes amid wider efforts by the AU and UN to coordinate on Africa’s most persistent conflicts. In Sudan, the U.S. called for an immediate end to fighting and backed inclusive political dialogue. It also said it was considering further measures, including widening the Darfur arms embargo, while urging support for peace efforts in eastern DRC and stronger responses to attacks in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.