1. The African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) and the European Union Political and Security Committee (EU PSC) held their Seventeenth (17th) Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in Addis Ababa on 6 November 2026. The meeting was preceded by the Ninth (9th) AU-EU PSC Joint Retreat on 5 November 2026 focused on Maritime Security; AU/EU efforts on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa; AI Governance, Peace and Security; and Women, Peace and Security. 

2. H.E. Ambassador Antonin B. Bieke, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to the African Union and PSC Chairperson for November 2026 and Ambassador Lene Mandel Vensild, Permanent Chair of the European Union Political and Security Committee, co-chaired the meeting. Also in attendance were H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security; H.E. Patricia Llombart, EEAS Managing Director for Africa and H.E. Johan Borgstam, EU Special Representative for the Great Lakes region.

3. The AU PSC and the EU PSC reaffirmed their joint commitment to further strengthening multilateral cooperation and coordination in supporting conflict prevention, management and peaceful resolution of conflicts, as well as in addressing humanitarian needs, paying particular attention to the protection of civilians, particularly women and children in conflict situations. Both sides reiterated the importance of implementing commitments and enhancing engagement on Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security and Children and Armed Conflict. They recognised that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women and will work together to ensure that the Women, Peace and Security agenda is fully integrated into all aspects of our peace and security efforts. 

4. The AU PSC and the EU PSC reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to act in accordance with international law, with the Charter of the United Nations and its Purposes and Principles at its core, including the principles of the peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as the prohibition of the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or political independence of any state.

5. The AU PSC and the EU PSC welcomed the 7th AU-EU Summit held on 24 and 25 November 2025 in Luanda, Angola, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the AU-EU partnership, and the adoption of the Joint Declaration, which reaffirmed the determination of the AU and the EU to further strengthen cooperation in the areas of governance, peace and security. They reiterated their unwavering support for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Sudan, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine, the occupied Palestinian Territory, and in other wars and conflicts around the world.

6. The AU PSC and the EU PSC reiterated their support to AU-led peace efforts, while underscoring the importance of African ownership and the primacy of the AU-led Mechanism in addressing conflicts and political crises on the continent, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity and complementarity. The AU PSC and the EU PSC commended joint AU–EU efforts towards a peaceful and stable Africa, including through the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture, EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) engagements, EU support through the European Peace Facility. They also welcomed the financial contributions made by the AU Peace Fund to AU-led peace efforts.

7. The AU PSC and the EU PSC held extensive discussions during their 17th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting focused on the AU-led Peace Support Operation in Somalia – the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission (AUSSOM); the situation in Sudan; the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the situation in the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin.

8. On the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), the AU PSC and the EU PSC commended the Federal Government of Somalia and the AUSSOM, including the Troop/Police-contributing countries (T/PCCs), for the achievements made thus far in the fight against terrorism. They commended all the TCCs who have deployed additional troops on a bilateral basis. They paid tribute to all those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the pursuit of lasting peace and security in Somalia. They expressed deep concern over the financial and forthcoming operational challenges facing AUSSOM with a view to preserving and sustaining the gains made in Somalia, maintaining the current momentum in the fight against Al Shabaab, and supporting a Somali-owned Security Transition. In this respect, they stressed the need for a Somalia-led assessment on the impact of the foreseen drawdown of UNSOS and on the way ahead in the country’s security transition. They welcomed the AU for its enduring commitment and the EU for the long-standing support to Somalia. They reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity, unity, and political independence of Somalia.

9. They underscored the primary responsibility of the UN Security Council for maintaining international peace and security and called for the mobilization of adequate, predictable, and sustainable funding for AU-led PSOs, including through the use of UN-assessed contributions and the application of the UN Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) and the African Union Peace Fund, as well as mobilization of resources from partners.

10. On the situation in Sudan, the AU PSC and the EU PSC expressed deep concern over the devastating effects of the ongoing conflict on civilians and the destruction of public infrastructure, as well as the dire humanitarian situation. They commended the AU for addressing the conflict in harmonizing international efforts and took note of the reopening of the AU Liaison office in Khartoum. They further commended the efforts of the Quintet. They noted the field visit of the AU PSC to Khartoum undertaken in August 2026 to reaffirm the AU solidarity with the State and the people of Sudan and the continued commitment of the AU to support them in their aspiration to restore lasting peace, security and stability, and prosperity in their country for the benefit of Sudan and the entire African Continent. They stressed that there is no military solution to the conflict and demanded the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities; ensure protection of civilians, to allow for unhindered humanitarian access to the population in need and further establish a sustainable, permanent ceasefire and a return to negotiations followed by an inclusive national dialogue and a Sudanese civilian-led political transition. They called for a genuinely inclusive, transparent, credible inter-Sudanese dialogue that leads to the constitutional order through the holding of elections. They condemned all forms of external interference in the internal affairs of Sudan which is jeopardizing the peace process and urged all external actors to cease any military and financial support for the warring parties that continues to fuel the conflict. They strongly rejected any attempts to establish the so-called “parallel government” in Sudan and reaffirmed their respect for the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and national unity of the country.

11. On the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the AU PSC and EU PSC expressed deep concern over the prevailing insecurity, the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the reports of serious violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, and of violations and abuses of human rights, including by the March 23 Movement (M23) and other armed groups. They condemned sexual violence in conflict as well as recruitment and use of children in violation of the international obligations applicable to them, and other violations and abuses against children in contravention of international law and called for perpetrators to be held accountable. They reaffirmed their commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of the DRC. They called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel as well as for safe and unhindered humanitarian access. In this regard, the AU PSC and EU PSC expressed full support to the increasing operationalisation of the AU-led mediation.

12. They also called for the full implementation of Security Council resolution 2773 (2025) by all concerned parties, including the unconditional withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF) from DRC territory, as well as the cessation of RDF support to M23 and of DRC military forces to specific armed groups, in particular the FDLR. They also condemned the establishment of a parallel administration by the M23 and its allies and called for its dismantling.

13. They took note of the letter dated 24 September 2026 from the DRC concerning the process of disarmament, demobilization, cantonment and repatriation of the FDLR, as well as its extension to all FDLR groups. They also took note of the protocol and called for its swift implementation to achieve the effective neutralization of the FDLR, in accordance with Security Council resolution 2773 (2025).

14. The AU PSC and EU PSC reaffirmed their firm condemnation of the illegal exploitation of natural resources by all armed groups and other actors, as well as the support provided by foreign military forces, which constitute a total violation of the ICGLR Protocol and international instruments. They called for an immediate cessation of these illegal activities. They rejected and condemned any initiative to seize power by force and to overthrow democratically established institutions, such as that recently advocated by the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation and its allies. Both sides recalled the importance of a peaceful and inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue involving all Congolese stakeholders as an essential prerequisite for lasting peace in the DRC. They reaffirmed that political differences and grievances cannot be resolved by military means. Guaranteeing rule of law and protection of fundamental rights is crucial to ensure that all political parties and civil society organisations can freely exercise their role.

15. On the situation in the Sahel Region, the EU PSC and the AU PSC expressed concern over the expansion of terrorist activities coupled with the proliferation of illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), the adverse impacts of climate change, the prolonged political transitions in countries of the region that experienced unconstitutional changes of government, and the worsening humanitarian situation. They underscored the need for enhanced cooperation and collaboration between the AU and EU in jointly addressing terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel region and in other parts of the Continent. They further expressed deep concern over the use of the new and emerging technologies by terrorist groups, particularly to finance their activities and underscored the importance of further strengthening joint efforts of AU and EU in the fight against this scourge including through the use of various AU and international instruments.

16. They encouraged enhanced coordination and cooperation among the AU, ECOWAS and other relevant partners, in support of African-led efforts to address the root causes of insecurity, terrorism and violent extremism and emphasised the importance of sustained support to the countries of the region that are undergoing political transitions. They strongly condemned terrorist attacks and all other activities of illegal armed groups, particularly those targeting civilians and public infrastructure, and called for strengthened accountability measures, as well as for full, safe, rapid, and unhindered humanitarian access to the population in need. They encouraged sustained efforts to comprehensively address the structural root causes and drivers of insecurity in the region.

17. The AU PSC and the EU PSC encouraged the transition authorities to continue implementing nationally owned and led political, legal and institutional reforms, promote inclusive political dialogue, strengthen democratic institutions and create conditions conducive to the peaceful restoration of constitutional governance, taking into account the prevailing security environment. They reiterated the obligation of all parties to fully respect international humanitarian law, international human rights law and the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and encouraged the countries of the region to further strengthen accountability mechanisms, civilian protection measures and respect for international humanitarian law, as well as international human rights law, in undertaking counter-terrorism operations.

18. On the Lake Chad Basin, the AU PSC and the EU PSC expressed deep concern over the persistent insecurity in the region, fueled primarily by terrorist attacks and the constant threat posed by groups such as Boko Haram, ISWAP, and other armed factions, which continue to undermine regional stability, socio-economic recovery, sustainable development, and humanitarian efforts. They voiced concerns regarding operational capacity gaps within the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF)—notably shortages in air mobility, amphibious platforms, capabilities to counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and drones, combat and communication equipment and other support resources essential for conducting effective operations in the region. They commended the Lake Chad Basin Commission and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) efforts in fighting against the Boko Haram terrorist group and in stabilizing the region, while expressing deep concern regarding the funding shortfalls. In this regard, they called the international community to provide support. They took note with appreciation of the progress made in the region on the implementation of the Regional Strategy for Stabilization, Recovery, and Resilience (RS-SRR) for 2025-2030 period, with the support of the EU. They expressed their joint commitment towards supporting the efforts in addressing the humanitarian situation, socio-economic recovery, stabilization and development efforts, as well as in addressing the adverse impacts of climate change, linked to factors such as prolonged drought, desertification and shrinking of the Lake and in building resilience. They appealed to the international community to scale up its multifaceted support, in particular support to regional initiatives aimed at sustainable cross-border transhumance.

19. The AU PSC and the EU PSC emphasised the importance of close collaboration between the AU, the EU, the UN, and its specialized agencies, as well as all regional mechanisms in West Africa and the Sahel. They welcomed the EU’s long-standing support to MNJTF and appealed to partners and other stakeholders to enhance their support to the mission and the LCBC. They stressed the need to jointly support development projects in the region, such as quick impact projects through the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Center.

20. The EU PSC and the AU PSC agreed to convene their 10th Informal Joint Retreat and the 18th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in Brussels, in 2027, on dates to be jointly agreed by the two sides in due course.

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