French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will host a conference in Paris by the end of 2026 to finance African Union peace efforts [1].
The initiative signals a shift toward supporting African-led security solutions, aiming to provide the financial resources necessary for the AU to manage regional stability independently.
Macron made the announcement during a five-day visit to Africa [3]. The trip included a two-day economic summit in Nairobi [3]. The French leader said that the goal of the upcoming Paris conference is to provide sustainable funding for the AU's peace initiatives [1].
This commitment aligns with Macron's stated belief that the continent should take the lead in managing its own internal security and political challenges. "African problems must be solved by Africa," Macron said [2].
He said that Africa should lead solutions to its own crises [4]. By hosting the conference, France intends to facilitate the financial mechanisms required for those solutions to be implemented effectively on the ground.
"We will host a conference in Paris by the end of this year to finance the African Union's peace efforts," Macron said [1]. The timeline for the event is set for the end of 2026 [1].
“African problems must be solved by Africa”
This move represents a strategic pivot in French foreign policy, moving away from direct military intervention and toward a supportive role. By focusing on financing the African Union, France is acknowledging the necessity of African agency in security and stability, attempting to reduce the footprint of external powers while maintaining diplomatic and economic ties through financial partnerships.
