UN Security Council Resolution 2719, passed in December 2023, represents a significant milestone in providing predictable and sustainable financing for African Union (AU)–led peace support operations (PSOs). The resolution allows AU missions to receive up to 75 percent of their budget from UN assessed contributions, regularizing a process that had previously been granted on a case-by-case basis. This resolution strengthens the UN-AU partnership and aims to streamline joint planning and mission authorization processes between the UN Security Council and AU Peace and Security Council. Yet gaps remain when it comes to the interpretation of the resolution, and the two organizations need to do significant work to operationalize the joint efforts it outlines.

This policy report considers what comes next for implementing Resolution 2719, including areas of the resolution that require further clarification. It also explores the types of coordination mechanisms and decision-making frameworks needed to effectively operationalize the resolution. Finally, it analyzes potential test cases for implementing Resolution 2719, including Somalia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and Sudan.

The paper recommends several steps to strengthen the implementation of Resolution 2719, including finalizing joint planning guidelines, addressing the financing gap, and building the capacity of AU departments responsible for peace support operations. Both the UN and AU should also focus on creating a more efficient joint budgeting process and ensuring that the regulations align with AU-led missions’ needs. These efforts will help ensure that Resolution 2719 becomes a functional and reliable framework for future peace operations in Africa.