The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution on the financing of African Union-led peace support operations, a decision welcomed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

In a post on X on Tuesday, December 26, Guterres called it a "ground-breaking resolution [which] will help address a critical gap in the international peace and security architecture."

The UN chief repeatedly called for a new generation of peace support operations led by African partners, with guaranteed funding including through UN assessed contributions, to respond to the peace and security challenges on the continent, according to a statement by his spokesperson.

The resolution will also "bolster the international community's efforts to tackle peace and security challenges on the continent," the statement read.

"The Secretary-General is committed to further strengthen the strategic partnership with the African Union, including through the implementation of this milestone resolution."

The December 21 resolution comes at a time the UN has begun withdrawing its troops from peacekeeping missions in Africa.

Its 10-year-old mission in Mali, known as MINUSMA, will complete its withdrawal on December 31.

The UN mission in DR Congo (MONUSCO) also begun the process of withdrawal.

Before the withdrawal of the East African Community regional force in eastern DR Congo, the UN was considering to fund its operations.

The UN will continue its collaborative efforts with the AU towards political solutions to address conflicts on the continent and enhance their consultative decision-making process as outlined in the resolution, the statement said.