Addis Ababa (TDI): Senior officials from the African Union and the United Nations gathered at the AU Commission headquarters on Sunday to mark the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers.
The joint commemoration, organized by the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the United Nations Office to the African Union, the Institute for Security Studies, and the Institute for Peace and Security Studies, concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony, a panel discussion with university youth and practitioners, and a photo exhibition.
Held under the theme “Invest in Peace,” the event paid tribute to the service, professionalism and sacrifice of UN and AU peacekeepers.
Organizers stressed that peacekeeping missions are among the most effective tools the international community has to respond to conflict, protect civilians, monitor ceasefires, enable humanitarian assistance and support political solutions.
Joint #PressRelease: AU, @UNOAU_ , ISS and IPSS commemorate International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers in Addis Ababahttps://t.co/v1Uuo1qrtt pic.twitter.com/s8Bo8WUDE4
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) June 8, 2026
In a keynote address, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the African Union, argued that investing in peace also means investing in innovation to strengthen situational awareness, improve early warning systems, and better protect civilians on the ground.
He also highlighted the growing threat of online disinformation, calling for digital tools to counter hate speech and misinformation that can fuel violence and undermine peace efforts.
Onanga-Anyanga pressed for deeper institutional collaboration, stressing the importance of stronger strategic partnership between the UN and the AU in planning, financing and rapid deployment.
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Speaking on behalf of the AU, Patience Chiradza, Director of Governance and Conflict Prevention, honored the memory of peacekeepers who lost their lives in pursuit of peace, security and human dignity.
She reaffirmed the importance of prevention, education, and deeper AU-UN cooperation in building a future where peace is sustained, inclusive and shared by all.
Dr. Paul-Simon Handy of the Institute for Security Studies called for a rethinking of practical measures to strengthen the safety of peacekeepers serving in fragile and hostile environments.
A photo exhibition running from May 29 to June 8 on the ground floor of the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Peace and Security Building showcased images from UN and AU peace operations across the continent.
