On 10 May, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the AU (SRSG) and Head of UNOAU, Parfait Onanga-Ayanga met with the Ambassador of Brazil and Permanent Representative to the AU, Jandyr Ferreira Do Santos, to discuss the UN-AU partnership in peace and security, the UN Secretary-General’s report on financing AU-led PSOs, and the commitment of Brazil to support peace and security in Africa.

The SRSG presented an overview of the UN-AU partnership frameworks, walking through the history of UN-AU engagement and the evolution of the frameworks, underscoring the emphasis placed on the partnership by the Secretary-General and the AUC Chairperson. The SRSG highlighted the Secretary-General’s support for sustainable financing for UNSC-mandated and AU-led PSOs, noting the SG’s backing for a peace enforcement approach to confront terrorism and violent extremism. He stated that UNSOS support to AMISOM and ATMIS had been exemplary while also reflecting on the broader African peace and security landscape, including the challenges of weak state formation and the urgent need for nation-building. In this context, he highlighted the work of the Independent High-level Panel on Security, Governance and Development in the Sahel, led by former President Mahamadou Issoufou.

Ambassador Jandyr Ferreira Do Santos mentioned that Brazil would hold the presidency of the Security Council in October and would chair the G20 and the BRICS in 2024. The Ambassador also noted that Brazil was supportive of the AU’s participation in the G20. The Ambassador further expressed support for Security Council reform.