UN Senior Official Advocates for African Union Peace Operations, Financial Reform

In a recent interview with UN News, Philémon Yang, President of the UN General Assembly and former Prime Minister of Cameroon, emphasized the need for the African Union (AU) to lead peace missions in Africa, supported by UN funding, UN website published.

He argued that the AU’s understanding of regional issues positions it well to address complex peace challenges. Yang also highlighted the importance of bridging the digital divide in Africa, referencing the UNDP’s “Timbuktoo” Initiative aimed at accelerating digital development. He plans to implement “palaver tree dialogues” to foster informal discussions among nations, promoting trust and collaboration.

Addressing financial challenges faced by African countries, Yang called for a reform of the international financial architecture, likening it to a modernized Marshall Plan. He underscored the UN’s continued relevance, advocating for reforms, particularly regarding the veto power of permanent Security Council members, to better equip the organization to tackle contemporary global issues.