COMMUNIQUÉ

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1352nd meeting held on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on Update on the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalls all previous decisions and pronouncements of Council on the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLXXV)] adopted at its 775^th meeting held on 22 May 2018 on the Principles on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Areas in Africa; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCLXXXIX)] adopted at its 689^th meeting held on 30 May 2017 on the AU Peace Fund and the Partnership Between the AU  and the United Nations (UN) with Respect to Predictable Financing of AU Peace and Security Activities;

Takes note of the Opening Remarks of H.E. Ambassador Nasir Aminu, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the AU as the Stand-In Chairperson of the PSC for June 2026 and the Update by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security;

Also takes note of the Statements by the Representatives of the UN and the European Union (EU); and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Welcomes the significant progress made by the AU Commission in strengthening the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework and in advancing measures to ensure that AU  Peace Support Operations (PSOs), including their personnel, operate in compliance with applicable International Humanitarian Law (IHL), International Human Rights Law (IHRL),  Protection of Civilians (PoC) principles, and Conduct and Discipline standards;

2. Expresses appreciation for the continued support and collaboration of strategic partners, including the EU, the UN, and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in advancing the implementation of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework; commends the achievements of the AU-EU-UN Tripartite Partnership Project on Compliance and Accountability and encourages the continuation of such collaborative initiatives;

3. Requests the Commission to:

a) Further institutionalize the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework through effective dissemination, implementation, and monitoring of adopted policies, guidelines, tools, and operational mechanisms, both at the Headquarters and within AU-mandated and AU-authorized PSOs;

b) Continue strengthening and expanding the normative and operational framework for compliance and accountability, including through the development and implementation of policies, guidelines, training programmes, and operational tools aimed at preventing, responding to, and addressing misconduct and violations of applicable legal and policy standards;

 c)  Maximize the utilization of the AU Case Management System (CMS) as a strategic tool for the registration, tracking, analysis, and management of compliance-related cases across PSOs, while continuing to further strengthen mission-level investigative and accountability capacities;

d)  Prioritize the operationalization of the remedial pillar of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework, including the development and implementation of policies, procedures, and mechanisms relating to victim assistance and support, protection of victims, witnesses, and whistle-blowers, reparative and compensation measures where appropriate, and initiatives aimed at restoring confidence and addressing reputational harm arising from misconduct or violations; and

e)  Continue promoting the integration and mainstreaming of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework including but not limited to all the relevant AU organs, RECs/RMs, National Institutions, and Peace Support Operations;

4. Requests the AU Commission to undertake periodic assessments, reviews, and lessons-learned exercises on the implementation of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework, with a view to identifying gaps, informing continuous improvement, and providing Council with evidence-based recommendations on priority areas for further strengthening the Framework; as well as to develop a roadmap for the next phase of the implementation of the Framework

5. Emphasizes the importance of continued support for Member States’ efforts to strengthen their national capacities for accountability, civilian protection, and compliance with international legal obligations; 

6. Encourages the Commission to continue promoting the integration and mainstreaming of AU Compliance and Accountability Framework policies, guidelines, training curricula, and operational mechanisms across relevant AU organs, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), PSOs, Training Centres of Excellence, and national institutions, as may be appropriate; as well as for the Commission to strengthen  coordination between the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework and AU human rights, governance, conduct and discipline, and civilian protection mechanisms, in order to promote  a coherent and integrated institutional approach;

7. Stresses the need for the Compliance and Accountability Framework to systematically integrate child-sensitive reporting, monitoring, and response mechanisms to prevent grave violations against children;

8. Also encourages the Commission to continue providing regular updates to Council on progress made in the implementation of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework, including emerging challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations for further strengthening compliance and accountability within AU PSOs;

9. Reiterates that compliance with IHL and IHRL, PoC principles, and Conduct and Discipline standards remains fundamental to the effectiveness, legitimacy, credibility, and sustainability of AU PSOs, and, in this regard, calls on all key stakeholders to continue supporting efforts aimed at further strengthening accountability and civilian protection across the African Continent;

10. Further encourages Member States to demonstrate greater ownership of the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework by supporting its implementation through national institutions, training programmes, policy harmonization and where feasible, financial contributions;

11. Stresses the need for the AU to take full ownership of the Compliance and Accountability Framework, among others, by scaling up the mobilization of predictable, adequate and sustainable funding

12. Calls upon the AU Commission to explore practical options for mainstreaming the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework activities within the regular programmes and budget of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department in order to ensure predictable and sustainable implementation of the initiative;  and

13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS