Crises and conflicts around the world often affect Europe, too, be it through displacement and migration, regional instability or organised crime. Endeavours on behalf of peace, security and stability are thus at the heart of our relations, including those with African countries. Geographically, German engagement focuses on the Sudan, the Sahel, the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region in Central Africa.

In order to resolve crises permanently and to prevent simmering conflicts from erupting in the first place, the German Government helps to ensure that the structural causes of violence and fragility are rectified. This means that measures to promote peaceful coexistence in society are at the heart of Germany’s peace and security engagement. Such measures include strengthening the courts and justice system and building up an effective administration based on the rule of law, thus also ensuring better protection of human rights. In addition, the German Government promotes political ownership, particularly for women and the rapidly growing youth population, through project work.

Safeguarding and promoting long-term peace, security and stability can only be achieved by working together with strong partners. The German Government thus supports peace efforts by African countries and regional institutions such as the African Union. The guiding principle here is that the best solutions to conflicts must be developed and accepted locally. In concrete terms, this means that among other things, Germany supports African peace missions, helps to stabilise regions alongside the partner countries and promotes transnational cooperation.

In order to preserve peace and security in the long term, countries need well-trained and properly equipped security forces who work in accordance with the rule of law. That is why the German Government will continue supporting military and civil security forces, in particular (border) police forces, with training and equipment.

We also want to continue strengthening the active role played by women in peacekeeping and crisis prevention in Africa in line with the UN Security Council resolution on women, peace and security (Resolution 1325). Germany champions equal participation by women and marginalised groups in all phases of peace processes. This includes increasing the percentage of women in the security forces and political decision-making positions.

The German Government will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims of armed conflicts and natural disasters, refugees and host countries on the entire African continent. As one of the world’s largest donor countries of humanitarian assistance, Germany strives to ensure that the international humanitarian system becomes more cost-effective, stronger and more efficient as a whole in Africa, too, and that the principles of international humanitarian law are upheld.

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Ambassador Gesa Bräutigam, Regional Director for Sub‑Saharan Africa and the Sahel at the Federal Foreign Office, shares up‑to‑date information on Germany’s Africa policy on X at @GERonAfrica.

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Federal Government’s Africa Policy Guidelines

Federal Government Guidelines on Preventing Crises, Resolving Conflicts, Building Peace

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