The United Nations and African Union have asked former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to help revive the peace agreement in Ethiopia as tensions between the Federal Government and Tigrayan forces escalate. Obasanjo, who led the mediation that produced the Pretoria peace agreement in November 2022, is being relied upon to re-engage the parties and prevent the hard-won agreement from unravelling. The two organisations reaffirmed their support for Obasanjo's renewed mediation and urged the parties to return to direct talks under the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The UN and AU warned that miscalculations in northern Ethiopia could trigger further escalation and destabilise the wider Horn of Africa. This position was reached at the 27th Consultative Meeting of the UN-AU Joint Task Force on Peace and Security in New York. The meeting was attended by high-ranking officials, including Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, and Atul Khare.
The UN and AU agreed to strengthen coordination behind Obasanjo's mediation and urged all sides to address outstanding disputes through good-faith dialogue rather than renewed hostilities. The organisations also reviewed conflicts and political transitions in Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan, and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. They emphasised the need for sustained international backing for peace initiatives in these countries.
On Sudan, the UN and AU said there could be no viable military solution and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They rejected the establishment of any parallel government and urged an inclusive Sudanese dialogue leading towards civilian-led governance. The meeting also condemned external interference and military support fuelling the conflict in Sudan.
The task force reaffirmed support for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia and stressed the need for sustained international backing. Somali stakeholders were urged to continue dialogue towards an inclusive agreement on elections. In eastern DRC, the UN and AU welcomed African, regional, and international peace initiatives and called for an effective and permanent ceasefire.
The meeting also reviewed broader UN-AU cooperation on conflict prevention, mediation, early warning, human rights, and support for African-led peace operations. The implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719, which provides a framework for predictable financing of eligible AU-led peace support operations, was highlighted. New agreements on operational support and knowledge exchange signed during UNGA81 were also welcomed.
The next statutory meeting of the Joint Task Force will be hosted by the African Union Commission. The UN and AU's efforts to revive the Ethiopia peace deal and address conflicts in other African countries demonstrate their commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. Obasanjo's renewed mediation is seen as crucial in preventing further escalation and promoting dialogue between the parties.
Key points
- The UN and AU have asked former President Olusegun Obasanjo to help revive the peace agreement in Ethiopia amid rising tensions.
- The organisations warned that miscalculations in northern Ethiopia could trigger further escalation and destabilise the wider Horn of Africa.
- The UN and AU agreed to strengthen coordination behind Obasanjo's mediation and urged all sides to address outstanding disputes through good-faith dialogue.
