Strengthening Africa’s Governance, Peace, Security, and Border Frameworks: Outcomes from Nairobi and Mombasa Consultations (Sept 2025)

Context and Background

In September 2025, two critical African Union–led processes took place in Kenya, underscoring Africa’s drive to recalibrate its governance, peace, and security architectures while advancing integrated border management.

The first milestone was the High-Level Panel of Eminent African Experts on the Review of AU Governance, Peace, and Security Frameworks, held in Nairobi from 1 to 5 September 2025, mandated by Assembly Decision 903-941 (XXXVIII). Immediately following this, the African Union Border Programme (AUBP) and IGAD convened a regional meeting in Mombasa from 16 to 18 September 2025 to establish a Technical Coordination Mechanism on Border Governance.

Together, these meetings represent a continuum of reforms designed to ensure that Africa’s continental frameworks remain fit-for-purpose, while anchoring peace, security, and development through strengthened governance and cross-border cooperation.

High-Level Panel on AU Governance, Peace and Security Frameworks – Nairobi

Mandate and Composition

The High-Level Review was led by the AU Commission Chairperson’s appointees, including:

• H.E. Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (Southern Africa)
• H.E. Professor Ibrahim Gambari (West Africa)
• H.E. Mahamat Saleh Annadif (Central Africa)
• H.E. Sam Kutesa (East Africa)
• H.E. Amr Moussa (North Africa)

The process was further guided by H.E. Dr. William Samoel Ruto, AU Champion for Institutional Reforms, and supported by technical experts and a multi-stakeholder Reference Group.

Findings and Outcomes

The Review assessed the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). While reaffirming their continued relevance, it highlighted structural bottlenecks—such as limited political will, weak prioritisation, resource gaps, and shifting geopolitical dynamics.

Key recommendations included:

• Enhancing synergies between AGA and APSA, linking governance and security with Agenda 2063.
• Adapting frameworks to address cross-cutting issues such as climate-security, youth, women, and child protection.
• Strengthening institutional coherence and resourcing to ensure effective delivery of peace dividends.

The Nairobi meeting marked a historic step in AU institutional reforms, producing forward-looking policy recommendations to be presented formally to the AU Champion for Institutional Reforms through the AUC Chairperson.

AUBP–IGAD Border Governance Mechanism – Mombasa

Purpose and Structure

Held under the chairpersonship of Ms. Wafa Kassim Ali (Djibouti), the Mombasa meeting (16–18 September 2025) brought together IGAD member states (Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda), AU officials, and technical experts.

The focus was on operationalising the AU Border Programme (AUBP) in the IGAD region, aligned with the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention) and the AU Better Integrated Border Governance Strategy.

Outcomes and Recommendations

Delegates adopted the following key measures:

• Regional Technical Committee: Establishment of a body to advise and coordinate border governance efforts across IGAD states.
• Peaceful and Integrated Borders: Emphasis on dispute prevention, joint border management, harmonised policies, and good neighbourliness.
• Continental Commitments: Acceleration of the signing, ratification, and domestication of the Niamey Convention.
• Capacity and Resources: Regular technical meetings, targeted training, information-sharing, and resource mobilisation to support border management institutions.

The meeting also underscored the importance of cross-learning with other African regions managing transboundary resources and cooperation frameworks.

Strategic Linkages: Nairobi and Mombasa Processes

The back-to-back convenings in Nairobi and Mombasa reflect Africa’s integrated approach:

• The Nairobi Review focused on recalibrating continental frameworks (AGA and APSA) for governance, peace, and security.
• The Mombasa Meeting operationalised regional mechanisms for border governance, directly supporting AU institutional reforms by embedding them in field-level practice.

Together, these efforts reinforce African-driven solutions that are both strategic (policy reform) and operational (border cooperation), in line with Agenda 2063 and IGAD Vision 2050.

Strategic Conclusion

ASA’s Value Proposition to AU and Regional Institutions

The September 2025 milestones in Nairobi and Mombasa demonstrate Africa’s determination to recalibrate governance, peace, and security frameworks while advancing integrated border governance. Yet, their long-term success will depend on credible intelligence, sustained monitoring, and evidence-based foresight.

This is where African Security Analysis (ASA) can play a decisive role:

• Early-Warning and Risk Foresight
  ASA can provide discreet but systematic monitoring of governance, peace, and border dynamics across regions, helping AU institutions anticipate threats before they escalate.
• Independent Security and Political Risk Advisory
  By delivering confidential situation reports, risk matrices, and scenario analyses, ASA supports decision-makers in aligning reforms with ground realities and managing vulnerabilities in fragile zones.
• Cross-Border and Institutional Linkages
  ASA’s comparative advantage lies in tracking the intersections of security, governance, and mobility — from cross-border migration and illicit flows to the political economy of borderlands. This enables AU programmes to better connect policy frameworks (AGA/APSA, AUBP) with operational realities in regions such as IGAD, ECOWAS, and ECCAS.
• Support for Implementation and Resource Mobilisation
  ASA can assist AU and IGAD technical bodies in turning high-level recommendations into operational action plans, while also advising development partners and investors on how to align funding with Africa’s security and governance priorities.
• Strategic Communication and Stakeholder Confidence
  By producing timely, credible, and policy-oriented outputs, ASA strengthens institutional legitimacy and reassures citizens, partners, and investors that Africa’s governance and security frameworks are grounded in facts and responsive to evolving risks.