Bankole Adeoye, the African Union commissioner for political affairs, peace, and security, has reiterated the AU’s commitment to advancing the union’s Agenda 2063 with a view to promoting good governance and security on the continent.

Mr Adeoye, seeking reelection for the second term, made the pledge in his report card on Friday in Abuja.

First elected in 2021, he said he has made transformative efforts in peace, security, and governance, championing conflict prevention and counter-terrorism across Africa.

He said, “Under my leadership, the African Union Commission’s (AUC) Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS) advanced a transformative agenda for peace, security, and governance across Africa.

“We also reinforced the AU’s role as a proactive, unified force in addressing continental challenges.

“I championed pan-African ideals for effective governance, peace, and stability with a view to realising the AU’s Agenda 2063 and facilitated the Ethiopia-Tigray peace process, culminating in the landmark 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.”

The AU commissioner stated that the union advanced the operationalisation of the African Standby Force, which enhanced Africa’s capacity for rapid response to conflicts.

He noted that the AU had also secured sustainable financing for peace operations through the AU Consensus Paper on Predictable Financing, contributing to UN Security Council Resolution 2719 (2023).

Mr Adeoye is a diplomat, Nigeria’s ambassador to Ethiopia from 2017 to 2020, and a permanent representative to the African Union.

Since February 2021, he has been the AU commissioner for politics, peacekeeping, and security.

(NAN)