By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
President John Dramani Mahama has challenged African governments and regional institutions to move beyond declarations and implement existing peace and security commitments.
He said the continent had developed several frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the African Peace and Security Architecture and the Silencing the Guns initiative, but had struggled to translate them into measurable outcomes.
Presenting the 2026 Tana State of Peace and Security in Africa Report in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, President Mahama said the central problem was not a shortage of policies but inadequate implementation.
He called on the African Union and regional economic communities to assess compliance with commitments, identify implementation gaps and hold member states accountable.
President Mahama also urged governments to fund their security programmes, ratify protocols supporting the free movement of people and goods, and strengthen governance in border communities.
He appealed to African businesses to invest in domestic value addition, curb illicit capital outflows and create employment opportunities for young people.
The President further called on civil society organisations to track government commitments and assess their impact on ordinary citizens.
He said international partners remained welcome but should support African self-reliance rather than reinforce structural dependence.
President Mahama maintained that lasting peace required security, economic justice and public trust to advance together.
