On 24 October 2024, the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) held the Second Retreat of the AU Special Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission (SRCCs) and the Special Representatives and Special Envoys of the Secretary-General (SRSGs and SESGs) of the United Nations, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, under the theme: “Towards Enhanced Cooperation and Collaboration in Peace and Security.”

The retreat took place under the auspices of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, and was co-convened by the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of UNOAU, Mr. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga. In this regard, participants expressed appreciation for the initiative which enabled them to engage and reflect on Africa’s most pressing peace and security challenges and measures to address them. The UN Special Representatives and Envoys expressed appreciation to the leadership of the African Union for the invitation to attend the 15^th High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa taking place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on 25-26 October 2024.

The retreat took note of the convening of the 8^th Annual Conference between the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations which, inter alia, welcomed the progress made in the implementation of the three AU-UN joint frameworks, and underscored the primacy of political solutions and the need to strengthen the capacities of both organizations in preventive diplomacy and mediation. The retreat also took note of emphasis by the Annual Conference of the imperative to prioritize good offices missions, and further strengthen collaboration between Africa Union and United Nations Special Representatives and Envoys deployed in various parts of the continent.

The retreat recalled the signing of the Joint AU-UN Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security between the Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, on 19 April 2017. The retreat further recalled the signing of the AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on 27 January 2018, which recognizes the peace, security, and development nexus. The retreat welcomed the signing of the AU-UN Joint Framework on Human Rights signed on 28 November 2023, which reaffirms the shared objectives and longstanding commitment of the African Union and the United Nations towards enhancing respect, promotion and protection of human and peoples’ rights .

The retreat welcomed the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact and the Declaration on Future Generations on 22 September, noting that they open pathways to new possibilities and opportunities towards a more effective, inclusive, networked multilateral system that is better equipped to effectively respond to today and tomorrow’s political, economic, environmental and technological challenges. It called for urgent and concerted action to implement all agreed commitments.

The retreat exchanged views on the peace and security threats and challenges on the continent, including governance issues, terrorism and violent extremism, climate peace and security, and external interference in Africa, and emphasized the imperative for sustained interaction and engagement in the quest for durable solutions. In this regard, the retreat resolved to work more closely together towards comprehensively addressing the structural root causes and drivers of violent conflicts on the continent.

The retreat expressed concern about the stalled political transition processes in Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan, and called for the timely and peaceful return to constitutional order in these countries. The retreat recognized the importance of dialogue and collaboration between affected States and regional, continental, and global organizations in sustainably addressing the political, peace, security, development and human rights challenges, and committed to support initiatives aimed at building effective state institutions and inclusive governance.

The retreat underscored the importance of African ownership and leadership in addressing threats to peace and security challenges on the continent, drawing on lessons learned and best practices from achievements in peace and state-building initiatives on the continent.

 The retreat recognized the need to address capacity and resourcing challenges facing AU-led peace support operations, through the provision of predictable, sustainable, adequate and flexible financing. In this regard, the retreat welcomed the adoption of Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) which represents a significant milestone toward ensuring adequate, predictable and sustainable funding for African Union-led peace support operations and looked forward for its implementation. The retreat welcomed the endorsement of the joint AU-UN roadmap on the operationalization of resolution 2719 (2023) by the Chairperson of the Commission and the Secretary-General of the United Nations on 21 October 2024, and called for its expeditious implementation.

The retreat emphasized the need to hold regular exchanges and promote information sharing between the African Union and United Nations, including through joint visits, assessments and analysis, joint statements, and common messaging, as well as publicizing best practices and lessons learnt in the prevention and management of conflict in Africa.

The retreat expressed appreciation to the AU Commission and UN Office to the African Union for convening the Second Joint Retreat, and to the people and Government of Côte d'Ivoire for hosting the retreat, and looked forward to convening the next retreat in 2025 on a mutually agreed date.