ACCRA, Ghana — Somalia has called for greater financial independence within the African Union, urging member states to strengthen the bloc’s Peace Fund and ensure sustainable funding for its peace and security operations.
Ali Mohamed Omar, Somalia’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, made the remarks while attending an extraordinary session of the African Union Executive Council in Accra, Ghana.
Omar, widely known as Ali Balcad, said the continental organisation needed a more self-reliant financial system to reduce its dependence on external funding and ensure it had sufficient resources to address Africa’s growing challenges.
He stressed the importance of strengthening the African Union Peace Fund, saying sustainable financial resources were essential to supporting the bloc’s peace, security and development priorities.
The Somali minister also underscored the need to implement the Kigali Decision, which introduced a 0.2 percent levy on eligible imports into African countries to help finance the African Union’s activities.
The funding mechanism was designed to provide the continental organisation with a more predictable source of revenue and reduce its reliance on international partners.
Omar thanked the Ghanaian government for hosting the meeting and welcomed proposed cooperation with African multilateral financial institutions, describing such partnerships as important for strengthening the continent’s financial capacity.
He also expressed support for ongoing reforms aimed at consolidating the mandates and functions of the African Union Commission, as part of wider efforts to improve institutional efficiency and coordination.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of AU member states to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) through the bloc’s Peace Fund.
He said revenue generated through investments from the fund should continue supporting Africa’s strategic priorities and addressing the continent’s financial needs.
Somalia has been a major focus of the African Union’s peace and security efforts, with AUSSOM supporting Somali security forces in their fight against Al-Shabaab militants and efforts to stabilise the country.
The mission, which began operations in January 2025, replaced the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) and is part of broader efforts to gradually transfer security responsibilities to Somali forces.
Omar concluded by emphasising the importance of African-led solutions to the continent’s challenges, calling for stronger unity, cooperation and financial self-reliance among member states.
His remarks come amid continuing discussions within the African Union over the sustainability of peace operations, institutional reforms and the need to mobilise domestic resources to finance the bloc’s priorities.
