Abraham Accords: Frank Urges African Leaders To Adopt Pragmatic Peacebuilding Lessons

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on African leaders to draw strategic lessons from the Abraham Accords, arguing that peace, economic integration and global relevance can be advanced through pragmatic cooperation even when political disputes remain unresolved.

Frank, who made the call in a statement on Thursday while outlining a policy brief titled “The Abraham Accords and Africa: Strategic Lessons for Peace, Integration, and Global Relevance,” said the Middle East agreements initiated in 2020 marked a departure from traditional conflict resolution models by prioritising practical cooperation over the settlement of all historical grievances.

He explained that the Abraham Accords were a set of agreements brokered by the United States in 2020 that established diplomatic normalisation between Israel and several Arab states, which marked a significant shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy.

According to him, although the accords are geographically distant from Africa, their underlying principles offer timely guidance for a continent grappling with protracted conflicts in the Sahel, the Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa.

“Peace should be treated as an evolving process, not a final settlement,” Frank said. “Waiting for perfect political conditions before engagement often deepens conflict rather than resolves it.”

He noted that many African conflicts persist because dialogue is tied to rigid preconditions that are difficult to meet, stressing that early engagement and incremental cooperation in areas such as infrastructure, trade and security can serve as confidence-building measures.

Frank, who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East as well as Senior Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA,
said the Abraham Accords demonstrated that diplomatic engagement need not be delayed until all disputes are resolved, adding that cooperation itself can help to stabilise fragile regions.

“The experience of the Abraham Accords reinforces a simple but important lesson for Africa: peace does not have to wait for perfect conditions to begin,” he said.

On economic integration, the former APC spokesperson, pointed to the rapid expansion of economic ties among the signatory states as one of the most tangible outcomes of the accords.

He argued that Africa is well positioned to replicate this logic through accelerated implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Regional trade, shared infrastructure projects and joint investments can reduce tensions by creating mutual benefits and lowering the incentives for conflict,” he said, adding that AfCFTA should be treated not only as a commercial framework but also as an instrument of stability.

Frank also highlighted the security implications for Africa, noting that instability in the Middle East has historically affected the continent through terrorism, arms trafficking and migration pressures.

He said reduced regional tensions weaken extremist networks with transnational reach and called for stronger Africa-led security cooperation.

“Africa benefits from a multipolar world with fewer conflict flashpoints,” he said, urging enhanced intelligence sharing, joint operations and early warning mechanisms in line with the African Union Peace and Security Architecture.

On diplomacy, Frank said the Abraham Accords reflected a shift towards interest-driven engagement rather than ideological alignment, a model African states should adopt.

He called for balanced, non-aligned foreign policies that prioritise technology transfer, food security, water management and renewable energy.

“Africa must position itself as a pragmatic global actor, not a passive participant,” he said.

While acknowledging the gains of the accords, Frank cautioned that unresolved political grievances remain and warned that economic cooperation should not replace inclusive political dialogue.

“Africa must balance pragmatism with its historic commitment to justice, self-determination and international law,” he said.

He outlined three core policy directions for African leaders: prioritising early engagement over prolonged stalemates, using economic integration as a peace tool, and pursuing interest-driven diplomacy while upholding fairness and inclusion.

Frank recommended dialogue without preconditions, accelerated AfCFTA implementation, strengthened regional security cooperation, balanced foreign partnerships and people-centred peace processes aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

In conclusion, he stressed that the Abraham Accords offer Africa not a rigid template but a strategic lesson.

“With political will, practical cooperation and inclusive dialogue, African leaders can reduce conflict, strengthen unity and position the continent as a confident and credible global actor,” Frank said.

He reiterated that peace can begin even in imperfect conditions if leaders choose cooperation over prolonged stalemates.