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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has urged African leaders to adopt pragmatic peacebuilding approaches inspired by the Abraham Accords, stressing cooperation, economic integration and strategic engagement as pathways to stability even where political disputes remain unresolved.
Frank made the call in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja while unveiling a policy brief titled “The Abraham Accords and Africa: Strategic Lessons for Peace, Integration, and Global Relevance.”
He said the Abraham Accords—brokered by the United States in 2020 to normalise diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab states—represented a significant shift from traditional conflict-resolution models that prioritise the settlement of entrenched grievances before engagement.
According to him, although the accords emerged from a different geopolitical context, their underlying principles remain highly relevant to Africa, which continues to face protracted conflicts across the Sahel, the Great Lakes region and the Horn of Africa.
“Peace should be treated as an evolving process, not a final settlement. Waiting for perfect political conditions before engagement often deepens conflict rather than resolves it,” Frank said.
He argued that many African conflicts persist because dialogue is often tied to rigid preconditions that are difficult to meet, noting that early engagement and incremental cooperation can help build trust among adversaries.
Frank stressed that cooperation in areas such as infrastructure development, trade and security could serve as confidence-building measures capable of de-escalating tensions.
The former APC spokesman, who currently serves as United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East and Senior Adviser to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, said the Abraham Accords demonstrated that diplomatic engagement does not have to wait until all disputes are resolved.
“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, Frank pointed to the rapid expansion of economic ties among the signatory states as one of the most visible outcomes of the accords, arguing that Africa could replicate this model through the 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 viewed not only as a commercial framework but also as a tool for stability.
Frank also highlighted the security implications of reduced tensions, noting that instability in the Middle East has historically affected Africa through terrorism, arms trafficking and migration pressures.
He said lower 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 foreign policy, Frank said the Abraham Accords reflected a move towards interest-driven diplomacy rather than ideological alignment, encouraging African states to pursue balanced and non-aligned partnerships 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 recorded under the accords, Frank cautioned that unresolved political grievances still exist and warned against allowing economic cooperation to substitute inclusive political dialogue.
“Africa must balance pragmatism with its historic commitment to justice, self-determination and international law,” he said.
He further recommended dialogue without rigid preconditions, accelerated implementation of AfCFTA, strengthened regional security cooperation, balanced foreign partnerships and people-centred peace processes aligned with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Frank emphasised that African leaders should view the Abraham Accords not as a fixed blueprint but as a strategic reference point, arguing that practical cooperation can reduce tensions and open pathways to sustainable peace.
According to him, with strong political will, inclusive dialogue and sustained collaboration, African countries can mitigate conflicts, deepen continental unity and position Africa as a confident, credible and influential actor on the global stage.