EU to make $650 million in aid available to African Union

BRUSSELS, 22nd April, 2022 (WAM) — The European Union Council adopted on Thursday a decision establishing an assistance measure under the European Peace Facility (EPF) in support of the African Union (AU) worth €600 million. The EU reaffirms its strong commitment to the EU-AU partnership and cooperation in peace and security.

Covering the period 2022-2024, the three-year Assistance Measure continues the well-established provision of long-term EU support to African-led Peace Support Operations, said an EU statement. Within its framework, the African Union will be able to request support for individual Peace Support Operations as needs arise, allowing a quick response to relevant security developments on the African continent.

The adopted support is in line with the EU’s commitment to strengthen multilateralism and, in particular, the key role of the AU regarding peace and security on the African continent. It forms an important part of the two Union’s renewed and enhanced cooperation for peace and security, as announced in the recent AU-EU Summit Declaration.

The decision to support the African Union with €600 million is a strong signal of the EU’s long-standing commitments to African partners, particularly the African Union.