Nigeria calls for total overhaul of AU security framework to tackle terrorism

The Nigerian government is advocating for a comprehensive reform of the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (AUPSA) to more effectively address the rising challenges of terrorism and instability across the continent.

Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced this position during a consultative forum in Abuja aimed at enhancing the operational effectiveness of the African Union’s security framework.

The high-level forum was convened to facilitate the implementation of AU Assembly Decision 967, passed in February 2026. This decision tasks stakeholders with submitting detailed recommendations for reforming the continent’s security mechanisms by January 2027.

In her remarks at the forum’s opening ceremony, Odumegwu-Ojukwu highlighted the deteriorating security condition in Africa, stating that terrorism, which was once predominantly confined to the Sahel region, has now expanded to include West Africa’s coastal states, the Lake Chad Basin, the Horn of Africa, the Great Lakes region, and northern Mozambique.

She also raised concerns about the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations that are increasingly utilizing drones, illicit financial networks, organized crime, and illegal artisanal mining to sustain and further their activities.

While acknowledging the progress achieved by AUPSA, the minister pointed to persistent implementation gaps that have hindered its effectiveness on the ground. She expressed hope that discussions at the forum will lead to practical solutions to enhance Africa’s peace and security institutions.

Key areas that the minister identified for urgent reform include early warning systems, consistent and sustainable funding, and improved collaboration between the AU and regional economic communities.

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