In this month of May, we commemorate the Twentieth Anniversary of the official launch of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) that took place on 25 May 2004. Throughout the month, we will reflect on the significant strides made by the Council for the past 20 years in promoting peace, security, and stability across Africa.
The commemoration will run throughout the whole year of 2024, but the month of May, being the month in which the PSC was officially launched, will have the grand activities with the active participation of all AU Member States, AU Organs, Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), think tanks, academic institutions, as well as bilateral and multilateral partners.
The celebration presents a unique opportunity for the Council to assess its accomplishments and the challenges faced over the past two decades in discharging its mandate of promoting peace, security and stability in Africa. Our goal remains steadfast: to silence the guns, realizing a conflict-free Africa, aligning with the principles outlined in the Solemn Declaration adopted by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government on 26 May 2013.
The activities for May 2024, will include an Open Session on May 15th to review the implementation of the Protocol establishing the AU PSC, and a High-Level Colloquium as the main commemorative event coinciding with African Day, on May 25th. The theme of the Colloquium will be "20 Years of the AU PSC as a Standing Decision -Making Organ Peace and Security: The Next Two Decades". On the same day, there will also be an E-photo Gallery exhibition and the unveiling of the PSC Visual Identity.
Each week of May 2024, the PSC will focus on thematic issues which have been featuring in the activities of the PSC for the past two decades. These includes Mediation and Dialogue; Humanitarian Peace and Security; Women & Youth, Peace and Security; Child Protection; and Peace Support Operations.
While reflecting on the achievements recorded, challenges faced and lessons learned in the past twenty years, the PSC looks forward to exploring innovative ideas on how to enhance its efficiency and effectiveness in discharging its mandate in the next two decades.
For further information, please contact:
Ms. Lulit Kebede, Communication Officer | Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department | African Union Commission Tel: +251 115 517 700 | E-mail: lulitk@africa-union.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org Web: www.au.int & peaceau.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
Notes to Editor
Key Achievements
Over the past two decades, the AU PSC has made significant progress in deploying Peace Support Operations (PSOs) to stabilize delicate security contexts, protect civilians and prevent further escalation of situations. PSOs such as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic (MISCA), and the Mission de l'Union africaine pour le Mali et le Sahel (MISAHEL) are among the landmark examples.
Enhanced collaboration with other stakeholders in conflict prevention, management and resolution on the continent has been strengthened, exemplified by greater coordination and consultation between the Council and RECs/RMs, is a testimony of the Council's commitment to collective security and regional stability. Notably in this regard, is the recent inaugural joint consultation held with the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council towards enhancing coordination, complementarity and sharing good practices between the continental body and its regional counterpart. The establishment of the AU Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on Early Warning and Conflict Prevention (I-RECKE) is also noteworthy.
Moreover, enhanced collaboration and institutionalization of interactions between the PSC and sisterly AU Organs, such as the Pan-African Parliament (PAP); the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR); and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), as well as AU Specialized Agencies as NEPAD/AU Development Agency (AUDA) and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA), all constitute some of the glowing hallmarks of the Council's milestones over the past two decades.
Additionally, the institutionalized strategic partnership between the AU and the UN in general, through the AU-UN Framework Agreement of April 2017 and the growing partnership between the PSC and the UN Security Council, as well as between the PSC and the EU Political and Security Committee, as well as with other international organizations such as International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on humanitarian issues, are also noteworthy achievements. Through inclusive and smart partnerships, the Council aims to promote durable peace and security in Africa effectively.
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To address the challenges faced in the course of the past 20 years, collaboration has been intensified, and the AU Peace Fund has been operationalized and new partnerships are being explored and forged. The emphasis has remained one of promoting and pursuing 'African Solutions to African Problems'.
True to its mandate, the PSC has also emphasized preventive diplomacy, with the active utilization of all available mechanisms, that include the Panel of the Wise, FEMWISE and WiseYouth. Support has also been extended to countries in political transition and post-conflict phases, under the auspices of the Cairo-based AU PCRD Centre. Additionally, the AU PSC recognizes the efficacy of inclusive approaches to peace and security and in this context, it has emphasized the mainstreaming of women and youth participation, as well as child protection in all peace processes and decision-making for sustainable peace in Africa.
