At the invitation of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department of the African Union Commission, I participated at the High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa.
The Retreat was held in Aswan, Egypt between 20-22 October 2025.

The participants included former presidents; serving and former ministers; ambassadors; serving and former special representatives of the African Union and the United Nations respectively; academics; representatives of civil societies; representatives of women societies; and representatives of youth networks across the African continent.

Throughout the three-day retreat, participants reflected on how Africa can advance resilient and self-reliant approaches to peace and security.
The plenary discussions, which were vigorous, vibrant and seminal, unanimously called for a recommitment to core African values, resource sovereignty, and inclusive, community-driven mediation. Emphasis was placed on: a) translating peace agreements into lasting and sustainable peace and stability for Africa through enhanced engagement of both insider mediators and the diaspora;
b) the strategic utilization and equitable management of the continent’s natural resources, as well as the recognition of the political economy as a key driver of peace; and
c) the necessity of a single, African track working in complementarity with international partners to effectively manage the continent’s challenges.

Grateful to Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and his team, for the organization of this Retreat.