African Development Bank Champions Peace With New Handbook for AU Peace Mission

The African Development Bank Group has reaffirmed its commitment to building peace and sustainable stability across Africa, culminating in a pivotal three-day technical workshop to finalize the “Handbook for the African Union Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM).” The workshop, which ended on July 21, was organized by the African Union Commission (AUC) and brought together experts, policymakers, and peace practitioners to consolidate lessons learned and best practices for supporting long-term peace on the continent.

AU-MVCM: A Cornerstone of Peace in Ethiopia

The AU-MVCM was established in December 2022 in line with Article 11 of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed on November 2, 2022, between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). This mission is a flagship example of African-led solutions for resolving complex security challenges and embodies the growing confidence in home-grown mediation efforts.

Mandated to monitor, verify, and ensure compliance with the cessation of hostilities, the AU-MVCM is tasked with a vital role: overseeing the implementation of peace accords, reporting violations, and supporting confidence-building among former adversaries. Its successful operations are widely viewed as a major milestone in the African Union’s peace and security architecture.

Bank’s Strategic Support: Funding and Technical Expertise

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has been an early and active supporter of the AU’s peace initiatives in the Horn of Africa. In response to a formal request from the AUC Chairperson, the Bank provided $1 million in 2022 to support the Office of the High Representative for the Horn of Africa in fulfilling its mediation responsibilities. This was followed in 2023 by an additional $2.4 million in technical assistance to bolster the AUC’s capacity for conflict prevention, support peace frameworks, and respond to regional crises.

“The Bank’s continued engagement reflects its unwavering commitment to strengthening African institutions and mechanisms for conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and long-term resilience,” said Abibu Tamu, Lead Programme Coordinator at the Bank’s Joint Secretariat Support Office.

A Blueprint for Peace: The AU-MVCM Handbook

One of the Bank’s flagship deliverables is the AU-MVCM Handbook—a comprehensive guide and reference tool for mission personnel. The Handbook sets out operational procedures, roles and responsibilities, and key protocols for monitoring and verification. It also details coordination frameworks to ensure synergy among national, regional, and local actors involved in peace processes.

The Handbook draws on lessons learned from the Ethiopian peace process, documenting strategies that have proven effective in building trust, fostering dialogue, and preventing the resurgence of conflict. As a “living document,” it aims to be adaptable for future AU-led peace support operations across the continent.

Building Consensus and Institutional Resilience

The workshop succeeded in securing strong consensus among stakeholders on the structure, content, and practical application of the Handbook. Participants included representatives from African governments, regional organizations, civil society, and international partners, all united in the goal of strengthening Africa’s capacity to manage and resolve conflicts.

By institutionalizing the gains made in Ethiopia, the Handbook represents an important step forward in the AU’s broader efforts to build durable peace, foster reconciliation, and prevent new cycles of violence.

Toward a Future of Sustainable Peace and Development

The African Development Bank’s strategic involvement in the AU-MVCM and its support for the new Handbook highlight a broader vision: that peace and security are essential foundations for inclusive growth and development. By investing in conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and institutional capacity-building, the Bank is helping to lay the groundwork for a resilient and prosperous Africa.

The collaborative development of the Handbook also sends a strong signal of Africa’s ability to chart its own path to peace. The consensus reached at the workshop is expected to boost the operational effectiveness of future peace missions and reinforce African ownership of peacebuilding efforts.

As the continent continues to navigate challenges—from local disputes to complex regional crises—the African Development Bank’s support for peace initiatives like the AU-MVCM stands as a model of leadership and partnership for Africa’s transformation.