Africa Must Finance Its Own Security and Stop Illicit Money Flows — Mahama

Africa | Politics | 25 October 2026

President John Dramani Mahama has called on African countries to take greater responsibility for financing their own peace and security operations, while strengthening efforts to stop illicit financial flows that deprive the continent of resources needed for development.

Speaking at the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Peace in Africa in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, on October 24, Mahama argued that Africa must reduce its vulnerability to external funding decisions and develop sustainable mechanisms to support its security priorities.

The Ghanaian president said the continent’s reliance on external partners leaves critical peace operations exposed to changes in foreign governments’ funding policies, limiting African countries’ ability to determine their own security priorities.

He urged African governments to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, honour their financial commitments and take practical steps towards implementing existing continental peace and security agreements.

Funding gap threatens African peace operations

Mahama highlighted the financial challenges facing African-led security missions, citing the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM).

He said the mission requires approximately US$190 million annually, while the African Union Peace Fund could barely provide US$20 million, illustrating the gap between the continent’s security needs and the resources available to meet them.

The president argued that Africa cannot achieve lasting security if its peace operations depend heavily on financial decisions made outside the continent.

He called for stronger African contributions to peace operations and more predictable financing arrangements that would enable security missions to plan and respond effectively to emerging threats.

Call to curb illicit financial flows

Beyond peacekeeping, Mahama stressed the importance of tackling illicit financial flows and ensuring that Africa retains a greater share of the wealth generated from its natural resources.

He linked the continent’s security difficulties to broader economic and governance challenges, including resource exploitation, limited local economic opportunities and the marginalisation of communities living in resource-rich areas.

The president cited conflicts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo as examples of how competition over valuable natural resources can intersect with instability. He called for African countries to strengthen control over their strategic assets and negotiate arrangements that deliver greater benefits to their populations.

Mahama’s argument was that peace cannot be sustained through military intervention alone. Effective governance, economic inclusion and fairer distribution of the benefits of natural resources must also form part of the response.

African leaders urged to move from commitments to implementation

The president also challenged African governments and regional institutions to move beyond declarations and implement existing agreements.

He referred to continental initiatives, including Agenda 2063, the African Peace and Security Architecture and the Silencing the Guns initiative, arguing that their effectiveness depends on stronger implementation and accountability.

He called on the African Union and regional bodies to assess compliance with agreed commitments, identify implementation gaps and hold member states accountable for their pledges.

Mahama further advocated stronger technological resilience and greater African ownership of development decisions, arguing that the continent must build the capacity to address its challenges rather than remain overly dependent on external support.

A push for economic sovereignty

The president’s remarks at the forum formed part of a wider argument for African economic sovereignty, under which countries would mobilise more domestic resources, develop local industries and establish partnerships that support their own priorities.

His position does not rule out international cooperation; rather, it emphasises the need for partnerships that strengthen African capacity and give African institutions a greater role in determining how peace and development initiatives are financed.

Conclusion

Mahama’s appeal places sustainable financing, accountability and the protection of African resources at the centre of the continent’s peace and security debate. The challenge for African governments will be translating these calls into practical funding arrangements, stronger institutions and measurable action against illicit financial flows.