Delegation from Finland visits the AU Commission to Discuss Ways of Strengthening Partnership for Peace and Security

The Acting Director for Peace and Security, Dr. Admore Kambudzi received, on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smaïl Chergui, a Delegation of Finnish Ambassadors representing several missions across Africa.

The Delegation headed by the Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ambassador Jarno Syrjälä visited the AU Commission to explore ways of widening the scope of cooperation in order to meet common peace and security objectives.

After listening to briefings on the prevailing peace and security issues in Africa from Dr. Kambudzi and the Head, Peace Support Operations Division, Mr. Sivuyile Bam, the two sides discussed various threats to peace and security which continue to outpace progress in certain parts of the Continent, including the proliferation and circulation of illegal arms, violent extremism, transnational organised crime, drug and human trafficking, illicit financial flows and governance. “Over the last decade, the extent of violent conflict on the continent has reduced, despite the emergence of new security threats. The African Peace and Security Architecture, however, provides hope of achieving an Africa in which violent conflict has effectively been eliminated by 2020,” said Dr. Kambudzi.

Speaking during the meeting, Ambassador Syrjälä expressed his country’s willingness to continue working closely with the AU to tackle these challenges. “Finland is deeply invested in advancing peace and security in Africa and is committed to supporting the African Peace and Security Architecture to ensure it achieves its intended goals,” he said.