STRATEGIC PERSPECTIVE ON THE REVIEW OF THE APSA

 

STATEMENT BY H.E. DR. KORIR SINGOEI

PRINCIPAL SECRETARY

STATE DEPARTMENT FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AND DIASPORA AFFAIRS

Delivered at the Amani Africa high-level policy dialogue on the review of the APSA

HYATT REGENCY, ADDIS ABABA, MONDAY, DECEMBER 15^TH, 2025

Let me start by expressing my sincere appreciations to Dr. Solomon and the Amani Africa think tank for the invitation to participate in this High-Level Policy Dialogue. These types are events are vital in maintaining strategic interests in matters that impact the African citizenry and I want to reiterate my gratitude to Dr. Solomon and the team at Amani Africa for your continued works in this respect.

The topic of debate this morning – Re-energizing Conflict Prevention and Resolution to the Review of the Africa Peace and Security Architecture, APSA – could not be timelier. Though APSA remains a vital framework for promoting peace, security and stability in the continent, the last ten years have seen a significant increase in conflicts in Africa, with the number of armed conflicts in the continent having grown by almost 45% since the year 2020. A grim illustration of this scenario is that out of the nine (9) conflict situations currently under consideration by the UN Security Council, five (5) – more than half – are on the African continent.

In addition, most of these conflicts are combining with other underlying threats to States like poverty, fragility of States, climate change, youth unemployment, gaps in governance, and social grievances, to cause grave and protracted humanitarian situations, including hunger and famine. Our women, children and the elderly are suffering the most from these obtaining situation.

Re-energizing conflict prevention and resolution, as well as Reviewing the APSA, therefore, is a necessity in light of the foregoing.

To be sure, APSA still remains one of the most comprehensive regional peace and security frameworks, globally. And despite some of its weaknesses, it represents the ambitions and the determination of AU Member States to achieve the goal of a conflict-free Africa and to ensure that we do not bequeath the burden of conflicts to the next generation of Africa’s sons and daughters.

This philosophy remains consistent with the vision and goal of His Excellency President William Samoei RUTO as the Champion on African Union Institutional Reforms. You will recall that His Excellency President RUTO, as the Champion of AU Reforms, has proposed a number of initiatives to not only aid in the effective workings of the Union, but to also ensure a fit-for-purpose Organization that is nimble and adaptable to a rapidly evolving continental security landscape and an unpredictable world order.

During His Excellency’s address to the Summit of Heads of State and Government on AU Institutional Reform last month in Angola, President RUTO highlighted the eight (8) priority areas of the Reform Agenda in line with Assembly Decision 920. These are: Revitalization of the Peace and Security Architecture; Financing the Union; Operationalizing the African Court of Justice; Streamlining of the AU Agenda Format; Revamping of the Pan-African Parliament; Categorization of Decisions; Division of Labour; as well as the Restructuring of the remaining AU Organs, Institutions and Offices.

Allow me, Excellencies, to highlight just three (3) of these priorities, which I also consider vital to our deliberations this morning:

A. The revitalization of our Peace, Security and Governance frameworks. As per the report presented by H.E. the Champion, the recommendation is for the integration of the APSA and AGA into a single, coherent framework.

It is envisioned that this will eliminate institutional silos, strengthen coherence, and ensure that governance deficits and security challenges are addressed together. An independent panel and a Joint Task Force has also been proposed to develop the merged framework.

Likewise, a unified system will significantly improve our ability to prevent conflict, manage crises, and reinforce adherence to AU norms. This includes reaffirming the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) as our primary governance-monitoring instrument and ensuring stricter compliance with Peace and Security Council decisions and membership standards.

On his report on the African Standby Force, The Champion recommended the expediting of the ASF strategic review, establishing a Rapid Response Component, and creating a Counter-Terrorism Brigade. It is further proposed that an 11-member expert committee should develop a roadmap for the full commissioning of the ASF Headquarters. This will ensure more rapid and decisive continental responses to emerging security threats and terrorist violence.

The Champion’s report also calls for a stronger linkage between Early Warning and Early Response. This calls for the adoption of Early Action Protocols with defined triggers and timelines, and the institutionalization of monthly Continental Early Warning System briefings across the Peace and Security Council (PSC), the Permanent Representatives’ Committee (PRC), ministerial forums, and the Assembly. The objective here is to ensure that we transform early warning into predictable early action and reduce the escalation of preventable crises.

B. The Second Priority is the AU Peace Fund. The Champion’s report has proposed increasing the Fund from 400 million to 1 billion dollars, diversifying contributions, and engaging African financial institutions and private sector partners. It is further recommended that there is renewed engagement on implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2719 on financing AU-led peace operations.

The implication is a more predictable, credible and sustainably financed peace and security system.

C. The Third Priority that I wish to highlight in the Champion’s report is the proposed strengthening of AU norms against Unconstitutional Changes of Government (UCGs). This includes enforcing sanctions rigorously, enhancing the Chairperson’s Good Offices, and supporting expedited transitions. This will help restore constitutional order and deter future violations

As I conclude, I wish to make following observations and recommendations;

1. One is that the AU is still Work in Progress: Our Union – just like any Continental or Supranational Political and Economic Entity – is continuously evolving. Our messaging should, for the most part, emphasize the progress being made rather than focusing merely on the challenges. As is the ethos of His Excellency President William RUTO, highlighting and emphasizing the ongoing progresses strengthens the confidence in the AU’s future and encourages Member States to remain committed to the collective vision of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Africa.

2. Second is Recognizing Strengths in All. APSA’s strength lies in diplomacy rather than hard power deterrence. Diplomacy thrives when all parties feel valued. It is therefore essential to focus on the strengths and contributions of each Member State rather than on their shortcomings. By doing so, a sense of collective achievement is fostered, where all Member States feel like winners in the shared pursuit of continental goals. I believe that this would be a better way to generate some political goodwill, vital in giving the breath of life to APSA.

I thank you all for your kind attention.

H.E. Dr. Korir SINGOEI is the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Foreign Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.