Aligning AU-EU interests to reshape global governance on peace and security

The document argues that the multilateral system, particularly the UN Security Council, is experiencing a 'rupture' characterized by paralysis and legitimacy deficits. While the AU seeks immediate structural changes—including permanent seats and veto power—the EU generally favors gradual procedural reforms. Despite these differences, the briefing identifies key areas of convergence: improving UNSC working methods, strengthening EU-AU-UN cooperation, and implementing UN Resolution 2719 to provide predictable financing for AU-led peace operations. It suggests that both continents must move beyond rhetorical alignment toward tangible delivery to maintain influence in a fragmented geopolitical order, especially given the US's increasing disengagement from international organizations.

• The global governance architecture is facing a 'rupture' driven by institutional paralysis in the UN Security Council (UNSC) and a decline in cooperation among the five permanent members (P5), exacerbated by crises such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza.
• The United States has significantly diluted its influence and commitment to the multilateral system under the second Donald Trump administration, exiting 66 international organizations, including the WHO, Paris Agreement, and UNESCO, by early 2026.
• African states demand structural reform of the UNSC through the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, seeking at least two permanent seats with veto powers and five non-permanent seats to reflect Africa's central role in peacekeeping and the fact that over half of the Council's decisions in 2023 and 2024 concerned Africa.
• There is a divergence in reform strategies: Africa prioritizes immediate structural change to address 'historical injustice', whereas Europe emphasizes gradual procedural reforms and the equal treatment of all under-represented regions.
• UN Security Council Resolution 2719 is a critical point of convergence, as it allows UN-assessed contributions to AU-led peace support operations to ensure predictable financing, though its implementation is currently delayed by UN budget cuts and a liquidity crisis.
• African policymakers increasingly view the reform of international financial institutions (IMF and World Bank) as more urgent than UNSC design, focusing on capital adequacy reforms, debt-reduction tools, and risk premiums for African borrowers.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2026). Aligning AU-EU interests to reshape global governance on peace and security. https://saiia.org.za/research/aligning-au-eu-interests-to-reshape-global-governance-on-peace-and-security/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Aligning AU-EU interests to reshape global governance on peace and security. 2026. https://saiia.org.za/research/aligning-au-eu-interests-to-reshape-global-governance-on-peace-and-security/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Aligning AU-EU interests to reshape global governance on peace and security |date=23 February 2026 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/aligning-au-eu-interests-to-reshape-global-governance-on-peace-and-security/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2026aligning, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Aligning AU-EU interests to reshape global governance on peace and security}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2026}, month = feb, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/aligning-au-eu-interests-to-reshape-global-governance-on-peace-and-security/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }