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UNOAU Highlights

SRSG Tetteh and SE Onanga-Anyanga meet the Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission in Ethiopia

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of UNOAU, Hanna Tetteh (right) and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga (left) met with the Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo (center) at the African Union Headquarters during his electoral observation mission to Ethiopia in June.

UNOAU attends the fifty-first meeting of the UNSAC in Bujumbura

On 28 May, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNOAU Hanna Tetteh participated in the 51st ministerial meeting of the UN Standing Advisory Committee on Security issues in Central Africa (UNSAC), in Bujumbura, Burundi. In her intervention, SRSG Tetteh focused on the ongoing peace process in the Central African Republic (CAR) and on the transition in Chad, referring to the situations as unstable, difficult and adversely impacting both countries and their neighbors. Read more

UNOAU facilitates monthly coordination meetings between AUPSC Chairpersons and UNSC Presidents for April, May and June

UNOAU, together with the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) Secretariat, facilitated the monthly coordination meeting between the Chairperson of the AUPSC and the President of UN Security Council (UNSC), at which they customarily share information on their respective programmes of work and explore areas for strengthening coordination and synergies on 9 June. The Permanent Representative of Estonia to the UN, also President of the UNSC for the month of June, Ambassador Sven Jurgenson, briefed on the Programme of Work of the UNSC for June, including the planned high-level open debate at Ministerial level on Children and Armed Conflict (28 June) and on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security (Cyber security) (29 June).

On 12 May, UNOAU coordinated a monthly meeting between the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the AU and AUPSC Chairperson in May, Ambassador Salah Ehamdi, and the Permanent Representative of China and UNSC President in May, Ambassador Zhang Jun. The monthly meeting was convened to provide an opportunity for the AUPSC Chairperson and the UNSC President to share insights of the programs of work of the month for the respective Councils, and it also allowed an exchange of views on matters of common interest and opportunities for further strengthening the UN-AU partnership in peace and security. At the meeting, Ambassador Zhang Jun put an emphasis on multilateralism, especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic; strengthening UN institutional capacities and protecting peacekeepers; and harnessing the potentials of emerging technologies and guarding against abuse of the technologies by terrorists.

Similarly, on 28 April, UNOAU facilitated a monthly meeting between the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Djibouti to the African Union, also Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for the month of April, Ambassador Mohamed Idriss Farrah, and the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Vietnam, also President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the month of April, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy.

UNOAU supports the AU in the implementation of Capacity Development Programmes

UNOAU supported the African Union in facilitating the African Standby Capacity (ASC) Civilian Foundation Course. The mandatory course was designed with the objective of exposing civilian experts to the conceptual and institutional frameworks of AU multidimensional Peace Support Operations from 24 May to June 4. It took place at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana and targeted civilian experts on the African Standby Capacity Roster. Facilitators were drawn from the AU Commission, UNOAU, UNAIDS and British Peace Support Team. It is expected that all of the 18 participants will be deployed to AU mandated Peace Support Operations in due course.

UNOAU supports the AU in the implementation of Capacity Development Programmes

UNOAU supported the African Union in facilitating the African Standby Capacity (ASC) Civilian Foundation Course. The mandatory course was designed with the objective of exposing civilian experts to the conceptual and institutional frameworks of AU multidimensional Peace Support Operations from 24 May to June 4. It took place at the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre in Accra, Ghana and targeted civilian experts on the African Standby Capacity Roster. Facilitators were drawn from the AU Commission, UNOAU, UNAIDS and British Peace Support Team. It is expected that all of the 18 participants will be deployed to AU mandated Peace Support Operations in due course.

UNOAU supports the pre-deployment assessment of prospective Ghanaian Individual Police Officers (IPOs)

From 26-30 May, UNOAU supported the AUC Police in the pre-deployment assessment of prospective Individual Police Officers (IPOs) from Ghana. The assessment mission was conducted in Accra, Ghana, to select skilled, competent and qualified Ghanaian police officers to be deployed in AMISOM as AU IPOs. UNOAU provided technical support and advice throughout the process. The assessment team was drawn from AUC Headquarters, AMISOM and UNOAU. The team assessed the Ghanaian IPOs as properly trained and equipped and thus fit for deployment to AMISOM for operations. A total of 120 IPOs (50 women and 70 men) were qualified to serve in AMISOM. The officers will undergo medical examination prior to their deployment. The selected team will be deployed to AMISOM in groups of 39 personnel while the remaining officers will be on the reserves list.

UNOAU participates in a meeting of the AU-Regions Standing Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration

UNOAU participated in the meeting of the Second AU-Regions Standing Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), and Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) on 19 May. The AU-Regions Standing Committee on SALW and DDR provides an institutional platform for information sharing and inter-regional learning, fostering common understanding of SALW/DDR issues, and addressing emerging related challenges. Read more

UNOAU attends the African Standby Capacity Annual Conference

From 18 to 20 May, UNOAU attended the virtual African Standby Capacity (ASC) Annual Conference, which was chaired by the Capability Development Unit (CDU) of the Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) and attended by all RECs/RMs (Regions), implementing partners ZIF and ACCORD, and the Training Centers of Excellence (TCE). The aim of the conference was to receive updates from the five regions, the training centers, AU head-quarters, implementing and support partners. Read more

UNOAU holds a coordination meeting with the AU Child Protection Office

On 6 May, UNOAU organized a meeting with the African Union Child Protection Adviser as a follow-up to a presentation made by the Adviser to the UNOAU on the twentieth of April which touched on issues relating to child protection, the work currently being undertaken by the AU on this issue, and the challenges that he faced in engaging with the UN and Agencies, Funds and Programs given that he was effectively running a “one-man-office”. Read more

UNOAU attends Global Conference on SDG 16

On 28 April, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) and Head of UNOAU, Hanna Tetteh, participated in the SDG 16 Conference themed, “Transforming Governance for a more peaceful, just and inclusive future” organized jointly by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Italian Government. The SRSG spoke on some of the challenges relating to institutional capacity that had hampered effective crises response at the national level on the African continent by using the existing state of health management systems prior to the outbreak of the pandemic and the continental actions to respond to the COVID-19 challenge as an example of how multilateral partnerships could be used to provide support and address some of these institutional challenges. Read more

UNOAU attends an AU Peace Support Operations Division - African Standby Force’s Regional Planning Elements coordination meeting

From 27 to 29 April, UNOAU attended a virtual conference organized by the African Union (AU) Peace Support Operations Division (PSOD) and the police components of the Regional Planning Elements (PLANELMs) of the African Standby Force (ASF). The objective of the meeting was to jointly plan police activities, identify and address challenges faced by both the AU and the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/REMs) in the implementation of the ASF activities and seek to harmonize the respective work plans. Read more

UNOAU participates in AU SAAT mission for assessment of Nigerian prospective IPOs prior deployment to AMISOM

UNOAU participated in an African Union Selection Assessment and Assistance Team (SAAT) Mission to Nigeria. The objective of the mission was to select prospective Individual Police Officers (IPOs) to be deployed to AMISOM from 26 to 30 April. Read more

UNOAU supports the AU in the design and delivery of HDP Nexus training course

From 19-26 March, UNOAU in collaboration with the German Technical Cooperation (GIZ) and the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre, designed and delivered a training course on ‘Managing the Humanitarian, Development and Peace (HDP) Nexus’ in Accra, Ghana. The HDP Nexus, which emerged from the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, suggests one pathway for bridging the gaps between these three areas of crisis intervention. The training was therefore implemented based on a training needs assessment commissioned by the AU Peace Support Operations Division. Its aim was to enhance the capacity of humanitarian, development and peace actors to work more coherently in attaining sustainable peace in conflict and post-conflict settings in Africa. Participants were peace actors from AU Missions, Regional Economic Communities, Humanitarian and Development Actors.

[OPINION] Peace Diplomacy in the shadow of COVID-19

Creating peace and security through preventive efforts, peace, diplomacy, and stable relations is a vital part of Sweden’s foreign policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the world, including the African content. Meanwhile, the security challenges facing the African continent are becoming increasingly complex. On the occasion of Sweden's National Day, H.E. Hans Henric Lundquist, Ambassador to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative of Sweden to the African Union, reflects and sheds light on how Sweden faces these challenges through its strong commitment to the UN-AU partnership in peace and security. Read more

AU Highlights

AU Chairperson welcomes Somalia’s reinstatement of the 17 September Electoral Agreement

On 2 May, in a press release, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomed the decision by the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia to reinstate the 17 September 2020 Agreement as the basis for the upcoming electoral process, paving the way for indirect Parliamentary and Presidential elections, following the request by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed “Farmajo” on the same.

AU fact-finding mission arrives in Chad

On 29 April, the fact-finding mission to the Republic of Chad, which was mandated by the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) at its nine hundred and ninety-third (993) meeting held on 22 April on the situation in Chad, arrived in Ndjamena. The mission was led by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, and was composed of five (5) members of the AUPSC representing the five AU regions including, the Chairperson of the AUPSC for April, Ambassador Mohamed Idriss Farrah of Djibouti, and the Permanent Representatives of Ghana, Lesotho, Cameroon, and Egypt, as well as the Democratic Republic of Congo in its capacity as Chairperson of the AU. The Mission was tasked to engage “with the Chadian Authorities on all issues relating to the situation in the country, particularly to support the investigation into the killing of the late President Idriss Deby Itno and ascertain the facts in an effort to restore constitutionalism”. Read more

AU, EU, IGAD and UN hold joint meeting on the situation in Somalia

On 9 April, a joint meeting was convened virtually between the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU); the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations (UN) on the situation in Somalia. A joint communique was issued reiterating respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Somalia; and calling upon Somali leaders to prioritize the national interest of Somalia and immediately return to dialogue to seek compromise on the outstanding issues, and to ensure that actions would not be taken to undermine the country’s stability. The AU, EU, IGAD and UN representatives also underscored the importance of the 17 September Agreement as the most viable path towards the holding of elections with the shortest delay possible, and further urged the Federal Government and the FMS leaders to review and validate the 16 February 2021 Baidoa Technical Committee recommendations and agree through compromise on any outstanding issues necessary for rapid electoral implementation.

African Union hosts the 27th commemoration of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

On 7 April, the Rwandan Embassy and the AU Commission jointly organized the twenty-seventh commemoration of the genocide in Rwanda held under the theme “Kwibuka: Remember, Unite, Renew”. Read more

H.E. Hope T. Gasatura, Ambassador of Rwanda to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa speaking at the commemoration of the 27th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda

AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC)

AUPSC holds meeting on the plight of refugees, internally displaced persons and forced displacement in Africa

AUPSC held its one thousand and second (1002) meeting on the 8th of June on the theme, “The plight of refugees, internally displaced persons and forced displacement in Africa. The Council noted the growing numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) as a result of conflicts, terrorist attacks, political and economic crises, climate change and natural disasters. Council called on member states to include refugees in their national strategies related to the provision of basic public services, humanitarian assistance and COVID-19 related interventions and called on the AU to mobilise support for members hosting large numbers of refugees, IDP’s and undocumented migrants and also appealed to the international community to support humanitarian efforts in Africa through the mobilization of resources. Read more

AUPSC holds emergency and ministerial meetings on Mali

On 01 June, the AUPSC convened its 1001 session in an emergency setting to review the deteriorating socio-political situation in Mali.

Earlier on 24 May, the AUPSC held its thousandth (1000) meeting at ministerial level on the situation in Mali. In her statement, SRSG UNOAU Hanna Tetteh noted that the meeting was timely coming one month before the renewal of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali’s (MINUSMA) mandate and at the heels of significant political developments in Mali. She informed that MINUSMA’s mandate will focus primarily on the implementation of the Peace Agreement; the stabilization of Central Mali; support to the political transition, as well as the protection of civilians and the protection and promotion of human rights. She commended the efforts of the transitional government of Mali in advancing the transition to meet the 18 months deadline advised by the AU and ECOWAS. She stressed also the significance of the international community’s collaboration and partnership in the efforts to support Mali out of the current crisis. Furthermore, the interventions in the interactive session underscored the benefit of ECOWAS, AU, UN and international community collaboration in supporting Mali and Malians through the political transition to sustainable peace and stability. Read more

AUPSC considers the Report of the Fact-Finding Mission to the Republic of Chad

The AUPSC at its nine-hundred and ninety-sixth (996) meeting held on the 14 May, considered the report of the Fact-Finding Mission to Chad led by Ambassador Mohammed Idriss Farah, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Djibouti to the AU, and the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye. Read more

AUPSC convenes a meeting on protection of children in conflict situations in Africa

On 11 May, the AUPSC held its meeting on the ‘Protection of Children in Conflict Situations in Africa’. The main objective of the session was for the AUPSC to receive updates on the state of children’s rights in conflict situations and to reflect on how protection of such children is integrated in AU conflict prevention, management, and resolution architecture. Read more

AUPSC convenes a meeting to consider the renewal of AMISOM’s mandate

On 11 May, the AUPSC also held its meeting to consider the renewal of the AMISOM’s mandate. The meeting was chaired by the Algerian Permanent Representative to the AU, and the AUPSC Chair of the month of May, Ambassador Salah Elhamdi. Statements were presented by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Adeoye Bankole, AMISOM SRCC Fransisco Madeira, Somalia’s National Security Adviser Abdisaid Ali, Representative of Sudan/IGAD Chair, SRSG UNOAU, and the EU Ambassador to the AU.

In her statement, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNOAU, Hanna Tetteh, welcomed the Somali parliament’s reversal of the Special Law and return to the 17 September Electoral Agreement, while also commending the President’s announcement that the Prime Minister will lead on the implementation of the electoral process and related security arrangements. She emphasized that FGS-FMS dialogue must resume urgently to reach an inclusive agreement based on the 17 September Agreement and the Baidoa Technical Committee proposals towards timely and inclusive elections. She further urged for a swift implementation of the processes outlined in the STP, especially the development of a force generation plan, the acceleration of transition-related operations and the establishment of the STP Strategic Steering Committee. The SRSG further noted the need to prepare a broad concept for a reconfigured AMISOM to be submitted to the UNSC and AUPSC in September, highlighting the UN’s readiness to work closely with the AU towards this objective.

AUPSC issues communique on its meeting to consider the report of its field mission to Sudan

On 10 May, the AUPSC issued a communique on its nine-hundred and ninetieth (990) meeting held on 13 April on the theme, ‘consideration of the report of the AUPSC field mission to Sudan, conducted from 30 March to 1 April 2021.’ According to the communique, the Council commended the Sudanese authorities for the peace agreements and the five priorities of the Transitional Government, namely: economic recovery and stabilization; restoration of Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Reform (SSR) processes; as well as normalization of relations with international partners and institutions.

AUPSC issues communique on its meeting on AU Human Rights Observers and Military Experts Mission in Burundi

On 7 May, the AUPSC issued a communique on its nine-hundred and ninety-third (993) meeting, held on 27 April, on the AU Human Rights Observers and Military Experts Mission in Burundi. In the communique which was adopted after the meeting, the AUPSC welcomed the significant progress in the political and security situation in Burundi since the outbreak of the crisis in 2015, and commended the successful organization of elections on 20 May 2020, and subsequent formation of a new Government. The Council also welcomed the improved relations between Burundi and its neighbours, and other bilateral and multilateral partners. It encouraged the Burundian stakeholders to preserve the gains achieved since the peaceful transition and called on all parties to embrace the spirit of political tolerance to foster cohesion.

AUPSC holds a meeting on the situation in Somalia

On 22 April, the AUPSC held its nine-hundred and ninety-third (993) meeting on the situation in Somalia, in an emergency context. In its communique following the meeting, the AUPSC called on Somali political actors to exercise restraint, calling on the AU Chairperson to appoint an AU Special Envoy to support the resumption of dialogue between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States – based on the 17 September 2020 Agreement and Baidoa technical committee recommendations and report back to the council within four weeks.

AUPSC holds a meeting on the situation in Chad

On 22 April, the AUPSC held its nine-hundred and ninety-third (993) meeting on the situation in Chad. In a communique adopted after the meeting, he AUPSC expressed grave concern with respect to the establishment of the Military Transitional Council and called for the restoration of constitutional order and handing over of political power to the civilian authorities. It underscored the urgent necessity of an all-inclusive national dialogue between all stakeholders in Chad, with the aim of restoring constitutional order, and called on all Chadian stakeholders to immediately engage in the national dialogue, and to refrain from any actions that may further inflame the current situation.

AUPSC holds a meeting on prevention of the ideology of hate, genocide and hate crimes in Africa

The AUPSC held its nine-hundred and eighty-ninth (989) meeting on the prevention of the ideology of hate, genocide and hate crimes in Africa on 12 April. In his statement, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye,called for the strengthening of AU early warning/response to situations of grave violations of human rights and atrocities. In addressing the UN Security Council members present at the open session, the Commissioner urged the Council to support the rapid deployment to protect civilians under threat of atrocities. He finally noted the need for the AU to increase its advocacy efforts on the ideology of hate, genocide and hate crimes through the appointment of an AU Special Envoy. Read full communique here

Regional Highlights

SADC holds a Double Troika Summit of Heads of State and Government

On 27 May, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held a Double Troika Summit of the Heads of State and Government (troika for the SADC regional body and the troika for the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation). Read full communique here

ICGLR mini-summit convenes on the situation in the Central African Republic

The International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) mini-summit convened on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR) on 20 April in Luanda, Angola. The mini-summit welcomed the consultations on the National Republican Dialogue to revitalise the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation (PAPR), and congratulated President Touadera, President of the Central African Republic, for his efforts in this regard, as well as the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) and the countries that have supported the CAR.

SADC convenes a Double Troika Summit on the situation in Mozambique

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) held an Extraordinary Double Troika Summit in Maputo, Mozambique, following the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the north of the country which continued to draw regional and international concern on 8 April. The Double Troika brought together both the leadership of the SADC regional organisation and the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security. The Summit noted with concern the acts of terrorism perpetrated against innocent civilians, women and children in some of the districts of Cabo Delgado Province; condemned the terrorist attacks in strongest terms; and affirmed that such heinous attacks cannot be allowed to continue without a proportionate regional response. Read more