AUPSC’s 1067th meeting on Youth, Peace and Security in Africa
On 10 March, the AUPSC issued a communiqué of its 1067th meeting held on 3 March on the theme: Youth, Peace and Security in Africa. The communiqué welcomed the appointment of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the AUC on Youth, and the assumption of office of the second cohort of the African Youth Ambassadors for Peace (AYAPs).
AUPSC convenes a meeting to consider the joint AU-UN proposal on the reconfigured mission to replace AMISOM
The AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) convened its 1068th meeting on 8 March to consider the joint AU-UN proposal on the reconfigured mission to replace AMISOM. Statements were delivered by the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye; the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the AU Commission to Somalia and Head of AMISOM, Ambassador Francisco Caetano Madeira; the Representative of the Federal Republic of Somalia, SRSG UNOAU Hanna Tetteh, and the Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the AU, Ambassador Birgitte Markussen. In her address, SRSG Hanna Tetteh noted the strong international support to the Somali security transition and underlined that successful implementation of the Somali Transition Plan (STP) will be critical in determining the achievement of objectives within determined timelines. She called upon the FGS and all stakeholders to demonstrate political commitment, and to ensure timely and accelerated implementation to achieve objectives as set out in the STP. A communique was issued after the meeting.
AUPSC adopts a Communiqué of its meeting on the situation in Guinea
On 17 February, the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) issued a communiqué of its 1064th meeting held on 10 February, on the situation in Guinea. The AUPSC called on the AU Commission to work together with ECOWAS and the UN, to undertake a needs assessment mission to Guinea with a view of engaging Guinean authorities and other stakeholders on the adoption of transitional plan that is in accordance with AU and ECOWAS norms.
AUPSC holds its 1063rd session on the nexus between Urbanisation, Women, Peace and Security in Africa
The AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) held an open session at Ministerial level to discuss the nexus between Urbanisation, Women, Peace and Security in Africa on 8 February. In a communique adopted after the meeting, the AUPSC recognised that the African continent is witnessing remarkable population growth and rapid urbanisation amid other prevailing challenges that include a mismatch between the supply of services and pace of urbanisation, persistent violent conflicts and crises, and highlighted the adverse effects of COVID-19 on social, economic and political efforts on the continent. The AUPSC commended Member States for their efforts in addressing and overcoming the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and emphasised the need for further enhancement of national, regional, and continental early warning mechanisms geared towards identifying risks and drivers of conflict in urban areas to prevent, manage and resolve conflicts, and achieve durable peace.
AUPSC convenes an open session on “Promoting Constitutionalism, Democracy, and Inclusive Governance to Strengthen Peace, Security and Stability in Africa”
On 27 January, the AUPSC convened an open session on “Promoting Constitutionalism, Democracy, and Inclusive Governance to Strengthen Peace, Security and Stability in Africa”. All participants acknowledged a regressive trend in respect of constitutionalism, democracy, and inclusive governance on the continent. Two decades on from the adoption of the Lomé Declaration, inconsistency in the application of provisions to prevent unconstitutional changes of government had emerged – in particular in respect of military versus “civilian coups”. At the 8th High-level Conference on Peace and Security in Africa between the AUPSC and UNSC A3, held in Oran, Algeria on 2 December 2021, observations regarding inconsistencies or selectivity in the application of the instruments led to a call for a fundamental review, to ensure a consistent, efficient and decisive response to unconstitutional change of government. A communique was issued after the meeting.
