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Director
Ms Patience Chiradza

AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development

Building and Sustaining Peace




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At a Glance

African Union Journal on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development
PCRD CANVAS AUG

Agenda 2030

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels


Agenda 2063

Aspiration 3: Aspires towards a “An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law”

Aspiration 4: Aspires towards a “peaceful and secure Africa.”

PCRD is conceived within the African vision of renewal and sustainable development and while its activities are integrated, and many must be pursued simultaneously, they are envisaged in the emergency (short-term), transition (medium-term) and development (long-term) phases.
This Unit will function as a liaison between the PCRD Centre in Cairo and the Department, regarding alignment and coordination of policy, programmes and lesson learning.
Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) is a comprehensive set of measures that seek to:

  • address the needs of countries emerging from conflict, including the needs of affected populations;
  • prevent escalation of disputes;
  • avoid relapse into violence;
  • address the root causes of conflict;
  • and consolidate sustainable peace.

PAPS Commissioner: Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria (elected in February 2021)
Governance and Conflict Prevention - Director: Patience Zanelie Chiradza, Zimbabwe
CMD - Director: Dr. Sarjoh Bah

@AUC_PAPS Hashtags: #AUPCRD #SilencingTheGuns

"It is my strong belief that the revised Policy will enable the AU to leverage the agency of its citizens, as well as with existing partnerships to deliver and ensure peace in the continent.” Amb. Bankole

About

Introduction

In 2006, in recognition of the need for a comprehensive framework to address the seemingly distinct but interrelated challenges of post-conflict countries and countries in relatively unstable situations, the Executive Council of the African Union called for the development of a Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy guided by the Executive Council Decision EX.CL/191 (VII) of July 2005.

The African Union (AU) Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Policy was adopted by the Executive Council of the African Union during its 9th Ordinary Meeting held in Banjul on 28-29 June 2006. The policy is a distillation of provisions from the AU’s main legal frameworks on peace and security, which include the Constitutive Act and the Protocol for the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council. The Policy, which provides strategic guidance for planning and implementing integrated strategies and programmes in relevant countries, envisages collaboration between all relevant actors – AUC, RECs/RMs, Member States, CSOs and the international community.

The PCRD Policy is based on the following principles: - African Leadership, - National and Local Ownership - Inclusiveness, Equity and NonDiscrimination, - Cooperation and Coherence - and Capacity Building for Sustainability.
The five core principles embody the fundamental values and standards that underpin all PCRD processes and activities so as to ensure that PCRD activities address the root causes of conflict, contribute to the creation of sustainable peace, social justice, renewal and participatory governance.

The AUC has developed a number of Guideliness on various aspects of PCRD. These include the Operational Guidelines on Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Capacity Program (national DDR frameworks; Detention and DDR, Reintegration, DDR for Women, and DDR and Children) as well as Gender and Security Sector Reform, among others. In addition, there is the Draft AU Transitional Justice Policy, the Guidelines on the African Standby Force (ASF) in Humanitarian Assistance and Natural Disaster Support, as well as the AU Guidelines on Quick Impact Projects.
It was drafted with the intention to assist African countries in the process of consolidating peace and preventing a relapse into conflicts down the road.

The AU PCRD Policy is underpinned by five core principles namely: African leadership, national and local ownership, inclusiveness, equity and non-discrimination, cooperation and cohesion, and capacity building for sustainability.
AU Liaison Offices (AULOs) in countries emerging from conflicts Following the adoption of the PCRD Policy, the AUC has taken a number of steps towards its implementation. These include the establishment of AU Liaison Offices (AULOs) in countries emerging from conflicts such as Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Comoros, CAR, DRC, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, South Sudan and Sudan. The AULOs have continued to engage with these countries and continuously followed up on the implementation of specific PCRD activities such as the implementation of QIPs and PSPs as well as the effective coordination of peace and stabilisation efforts == In the decade that followed, AU PCRD efforts took various forms, including the implementation of quick impact projects (QIPs) and peace strengthening projects (PSPs), the development of stabilization strategies for both the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, supporting the establishment of state institutions (constitutional, rule of law, human rights bodies), as well as the implementation of programs of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR), security sector reform (SSR), transitional justice and rule of law.
Following the adoption of the PCRD Policy, the AUC has taken a number of steps towards its implementation. These include the establishment of AU Liaison Offices (AULOs) in countries emerging from conflicts such as Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Comoros, CAR, DRC, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, South Sudan and Sudan. The AULOs have continued to engage with these countries and continuously followed up on the implementation of specific PCRD activities such as the implementation of QIPs and PSPs as well as the effective coordination of peace and stabilisation efforts




Revised AU Policy on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development



  • POLITICAL GOVERNANCE AND TRANSITION
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Existence of opportunities and mechanisms that enhance popular participation in, and access to, the processes of constitution making, etc.;

    b. Decentralisation of power, authority and resources;

    c. Separation of power between the executive, judiciary and the legislature;

    d. Increased government transparency and accountability, and public confidence in governance structures;

    f. Existence of institutions that promote democracy such as electoral commissions, office of the ombudsperson, public protector’s office, etc.;

    g. Flourishing of functioning national civil society organisations, and support for community-based organisations;

    h. Increased numbers of women in decision-making positions in public institutions as well as the private sector;

    i. Periodic, competitive, peaceful, free and fair elections;

    j. Existence of mechanisms to manage, prevent and resolve conflicts;

    k. Existence of effective and independent media that is protected within the constitution;

    l. Ratification or, accession to, domestication and implementation of, relevant African and international instruments for democracy and good governance, and relevant conventions relating to eradication of corruption and corrupt practices; and

    m. Congruence of national constitutions with the Constitutive Act of the African Union

  • SECURITY GOVERNANCE
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. National implementation of the Solemn Declaration on the Common African Defence and Security Policy, including all common African positions such as the Windhoek Position on SALWs, as endorsed by the Executive Council Decision EX.CL/Dec.255 (VIII) of 2006;

    b. Establishment of resource mobilisation mechanisms;

    c. Functional strategic coordination mechanisms;

    d. Right-sizing and professionalisation of the security forces;

    e. Civil oversight of the security sector;

    f. Compliance to International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Law frameworks;

    g. Engagement of security sector in the reconstruction of the country; and

    h. Ratification of, accession to, domestication and implementation of, all African and international instruments relating to peace and security.

  • HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Ratification and domestication of relevant AU and international instruments;

    b. Lead roles played by Member States and local authorities supported by the AU Centre for PCRD and the African Humanitarian Agency;

    c. Resolution of protracted situations of refugees and IDPs in the continent;

    d. Sustainable return and reintegration in countries emerging out of conflict;

    e. Integration of displaced populations in national socio-economic programmes;

    f. Protection of all populations from attacks, harassment, abuse, exploitation, discrimination and deprivation of their human rights;

    g. Adequate and appropriate basic welfare services, including food, clean water, basic health, sanitation, education and shelter;

    h. Reunification of family members who were separated during conflict;

    i. Mechanisms for registration and appropriate identification/ documentation of affected populations for themselves, their children, spouses, property, land and other possessions which might have been lost during the conflict;

    j. Exercise of the right to return to their places of origin and/or live in other areas of their choice;

    k. Appropriate medical care, trauma and psychosocial counselling, assistance and legal redress for girls, women and other disadvantaged groups;

    l. Re-establishment of reasonable means of livelihood including gainful employment;

    m. Guaranteed participation of women’s groups, CSOs and other representatives of affected groups in reconstruction processes, including peace processes;

    n.Guaranteed access to civilian populations in need, for their protection and assistance;

    o. Increased awareness of prevention of HIV/AIDS and other communicable diseases, and pandemics; and

    p. Strengthening of the capacity of African humanitarian NGOs and other relevant African institutions.

  • SOCIO-ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Improved human development indicators and progress towards the attainment of Agenda 2063 and SDGs and other indicators related to socio-economic development;

    b. Improved and sustained economic growth,evidenced by a stable socio-economic environment, including macro-economic stability and micro-economic growth, reduced unemployment and reduced inflation;

    c. Increased access of the population to social services such as housing, health, water, education, employment;

    d. Fiscal and budgetary discipline in the management of public resources;

    e. Sustainable management of the environment and natural resources; and

    f. Equity and inclusivity to address social, economic, recovery and development aspects.

  • WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Existence of gender sensitive and responsive legal frameworks and budgets;

    b. Effective implementation of constitutional provisions and laws that promote and protect the rights of women and girls;

    c. Full, meaningful and effective participation of women in all aspects of public life, particularly in the political and economic spheres;

    d. Increased number of women in decision-making positions and processes accompanied by gender-sensitive and responsive frameworks;

    e. Existence of gender expertise and capacities at the local, national, regional and continental levels responsive to current and emergent challenges;

    f. Compliance with the continental WPS agenda, Agenda 2063, “Silencing the Guns” reporting in the Continental Results Framework on WPS initiative and SDGs;

    g. Robust partnerships with national, regional, continental and international organisations that promote the WPS agenda, and build African capacities;

    h. Full enjoyment of rights by differently abled persons;

    i. Security and justice systems that are responsive to gender-based violence and the specific needs of women and girls;

    j. Gender equality in decision-making positions in public institutions and the private sector; and

    k. Ratification of, accession to, domestication and implementation of, the relevant AU instruments protecting the rights of women and girls, including the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and other relevant international instruments such as the Convention to End all forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the UN General Assembly Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, among others.

  • HUMAN RIGHTS, TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE & RECONCILIATION
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Context-specific approach in implementation of human rights, transitional justice and reconciliation;

    b. Institutional coherence and approach among relevant stakeholders;

    c. Equal protection for all under the law;

    d. Implementation of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, Maputo Protocol on Women’s Rights, and the African Union’s Transitional Justice Policy;

    e. Existence of structures, mechanisms and programmes that deal with transitional justice, reconciliation and psychosocial support;

    f. Overall enjoyment and protection of fundamental rights and freedoms in the country;

    g. Tolerance across political, social, religious, ethnic and cultural divides;

    h. Operational, well supported and effective institutions that protect human rights such as a National Human Rights Commission and Office of the Public Protector, that provide oversight and contribute to public awareness of human rights principles and the country’s international human rights obligations;

    i. Independence of and public confidence in the judiciary – as indicated by the tenure of the judiciary and the availability of resources for its operations;

    j. Restorative justice measures are put in place including reparations for survivors of abuse; and

    k. Ratification, accession to, domestication and implementation of, international instruments guaranteeing respect for all human rights (social, economic, civil, cultural and political rights); and fulfilment of human rights reporting obligations.

  • YOUTH INCLUSION
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Existence of youth-sensitive policy frameworks, programmes and financing in national, regional and continental post-conflict reconstruction and development plans, in line with the AU Decade on Women’s Financial and Economic Inclusion 2020-2030 and the Women and Youth Financial and Economic Inclusion (WYFEI 2030) initiative of the AU;

    b. Enhance public sector efficiency to respond to the demographic dividend;

    c. Stimulate solution-focused research and development, through youth innovation hubs;

    d. Entrepreneurship opportunities for Africa’s youthful populations for improved socio-economic well-being;

    e. Meaningful and effective participation of youth in decision-making processes, policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of peace agreements;

    f. Policies, legislations and programmes aimed at effective repatriation, resettlement, disarmament, deradicalisation, demobilisation, rehabilitation and reintegration of youth disengaged from armed, criminal or extremist groups in accordance with national, regional and continental legal frameworks;

    g. Post-trauma counselling, mental health and psychosocial support for youth, especially those disengaged from conflicts, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, returnees and displaced persons;

    h. Establishment/support of youth platforms, and facilitate entry points for youth to undertake prevention activities including youth-led or support to PCRD;

    i. Development and implementation of programmes to encourage youth leadership and meaningful participation in PCRD through the promotion of exchanges and collaboration in existing national, regional and continental structures;

    j. Establishment of investments and funds that enable the inclusion of youth into different projects in rebuilding, rehabilitation and reconstruction;

    k. Financing of Quick Impact Projects and Peace Strengthening Projects to empower youth through capacity building, training and skills development, mentoring, placements and related income generating employment initiatives;

    l. Capacity building and strengthening of youth participation in prevention and training for youth to support peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts, ensuring that the specific needs of youth are met, and the capacities of youth to act as providers and peacebuilders in post-conflict situations are strengthened and reinforced;

    m. Existence of employment opportunity to facilitate an increased understanding of youth as an ecosystem that ensures their full engagement in the job market (as employees and employers);

    n. Existence of education and training systems including key players and interventions in tertiary institutions, Technical and Vocational and Educational Training (TVET), private sector engagement and transitions to employment – issues of apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities including volunteerism, internships, mentorships and placements;

    o. Existence of tertiary education and TVET integration with economic recovery, enhancing resilience and possible contextualised package of priority interventions as a pathway to sustained peace;

    p. Access to education, information, food and medical care for the most vulnerable youth, vocational training as well as employment opportunities;

    q. Reduce youth unemployment and underemployment and their attendant incidence of vulnerabilities to exploitation, manipulation and radicalisation; and

    r. Youth participation in PCRD initiatives through the use of New Technology Information and Communication tools (Digital media).

  • CHILD PROTECTION
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Existence of child rights-based and responsive legal frameworks and budgets;

    b. Effective implementation of constitutional provisions and laws that promote and protect the rights and welfare of children;

    c. Existence of child protection expertise and capacities at the local, national, regional and continental levels responsive to current and emergent challenges;

    d. Compliance with the Agenda 2063 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child;

    e. Robust partnerships at national, regional, continental and international organisations that promote the protection of the rights and welfare of children in situations of conflict;

    f. Full enjoyment of rights by differently abled children;

    g. Security and justice systems that are responsive to child protection concerns for children;

    h. Ratification of, accession to, domestication and implementation of, the relevant AU instruments protecting the rights of children, including the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, Policy for Mainstreaming Child Protection in the African Peace and Security Architecture and other relevant international instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child, among others.

  • ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
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    Benchmarks and standards:

    a. Implementation of the AU Climate Change and Resilience Development Strategy and Action Plan;

    b. A Common African Position on Climate Change is developed and pursued towards prioritised interests, joint efforts and speaking with one voice;

    c. The African Adaptation Initiative Framework (2017-2020) sustained and improved holistically to cater for evolving integrated climate security initiatives;

    d. Communicate the importance of delivering on pledges and commitments made by developed countries towards enhancing adaptation and mitigation efforts on the continent and the direct effect of these pledges on continental peace and security;

    e. Encourage Member States to formulate and update their Nationally Determined Contributions according to the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change;

    f. Just transition encouraged in building resilience towards sustainable livelihoods;

    g. Alternative sources of energy explored, developed and in use;

    h. Mechanisms established for addressing loss and damage, as well as special needs and circumstances; and

    i. African Climate Change Fund established and operationalised.



    • Resource Mobilisation

    Securing adequate resources and sustained support, creating mechanisms for the transparent allocation and accountable management of resources, and establishing processes and mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of peacebuilding/ PCRD are important preconditions for the realisation of the goals of consolidating peace and long-term sustainable development.

    The planning for resource mobilisation to engage in PCRD should commence at early stages, even before hostilities have ceased or peace agreements signed. Besides providing an opportunity to kickstart stabilisation activities as opportunities arise, this early action could create an incentive for, and encourage, the parties to reach an agreement and cease hostilities.
    Introduction
    The magnitude and complexity of challenges of PCRD, weak capacity and shortage of resources limit the ability of local and national authorities and other actors to respond to the full spectrum of needs. This necessitates the mobilisation of financial, material, human and technical resources at the national, regional, continental and international levels. In order to effectively meet this challenge, conflict-affected countries need to have a comprehensive resource mobilisation strategy.

    The continent continues to face increasingly complex and multifaceted threats, necessitating the availability of resources to address them. This context is matched with dwindling resources being allocated for the AU’s PCRD and peacebuilding initiatives, programmes and activities. Further complicating this scenario is the wide range and scope of PCRD and peacebuilding mandates, initiatives and tasks required for sustainable peace. Adequate financing for PCRD thus remains a critical success factor in consolidating peace in the continent, against the backdrop of complex and intractable conflicts, and the need to prioritise conflict prevention and peacebuilding approaches. With a view to tackling these challenges, the AU’s focus on conflict prevention must be matched by adequate, sustainable, and predictable funds from Member State contribution. In doing so, the AU’s strategic policy direction will be underpinned by ownership of its PCRD and peacebuilding mechanisms and processes which are largely financed by external partners.

    At the 19th Ordinary Session of the policy organs of the AU, in July 2012, the African Solidarity Initiative was launched as an AUled process for mobilising support from within the continent for countries emerging from conflict. A Decision – Assembly/ AU/Dec.425 (XIX) – on the ASI, was adopted, requesting the AUC, in close collaboration with the countries concerned and all other Member States, RECs, and other relevant African institutions, to roll-out a full implementation plan, and to mobilise in-kind, capacity building, as well as financial contributions, to support post-conflict reconstruction activities and efforts in the continent.

    The African Peace Fund12 covers Mediation and Preventive Diplomacy, Institutional Capacity and PSOs. PCRD efforts can benefit from the three windows. However, given the capital-intensive nature of PCRD initiatives, funding would need to be sought from other sources as well.

    To attain this objective, the following actions should be undertaken at different levels of action from the national to the international level:

    National Level
    a. At the national level, conflict-affected countries should:
    • ii. Mobilise national resources, by attracting investment and seeking the return of resources that may have been inappropriately moved out of the country, for reconstruction and development that benefits all sections of the society;
    • iii. Pursue strategies that enable them to access resources including financial assistance, capacity building and training, the provision of expertise, sharing of best practices, from the AU and its Member States;
    • iv. Seek unconventional sources of financial and other support for PCRD mechanisms and processes, e.g. through south-south and triangular cooperation;
    • v. Use AU institutions particularly the AU Centre for PCRD and other pan-African partners, such as the AfDB, to mobilise and leverage resources for PCRD;
    • vi. Specify modalities for engagement of international actors in PCRD to ensure local capacity building and encourage use of local actors;
    • vii. Encourage the private sector to participate in PCRD and to build capacity and transfer skills, including through public-private partnerships, involvement of domestic enterprises, remittances and engagement of the Diaspora; and
    • viii. Prioritise the rehabilitation or creation of transparent financial systems and controls to manage resources effectively for PCRD, and inspire confidence on the part of the public.
    Regional Level
    b. At the regional level, actors should support PCRD in line with the designated role of the RECs/RMs as the building blocs for Africa’s peace and security, and development agenda, and the regional character and impact of most conflicts:
    • i. Provide technical support and expertise to post-conflict countries, including capacity building, training, mentoring and placement of especially the youth;
    • ii. Encourage the sharing of best practices and lessons learned by other countries in the region which have experienced conflict;
    • iii. Encourage the involvement of regional financial mechanisms, including development banks, in PCRD processes; and
    • iv. Offer solidarity and partnership in the consolidation of peace in the region.
    Continental Level
     c. At continental level, the AU, in pursuit of its strategic leadership, should leverage the role of the AU Centre for PCRD to create and/or improve existing mechanisms that:
    • i. Address issues relating to the quantity and quality of support, including technical assistance and exchange, to ensure that support is determined by, and used in line with, coordinated and streamlined needs assessment and peacebuilding priorities of the country concerned;
    • ii. Ensure that support packages to countries emerging from conflict are provided under the most favourable terms and remain demand driven;
    • iii. Support negotiations with partners to simplify procedures and requirements for accessing funds, improve coordination, harmonisation and predictability of support, for PCRD and peacebuilding;
    • iv. Encourage partners to promptly translate their commitments and pledges into concrete support and fast-track the disbursement of resources and expertise to cover immediate humanitarian and recovery needs during the transition period;
    • v. Support affected countries to monitor the translation of pledges into concrete support;
    • vi. Provide technical support to post-conflict countries in developing their national PCRD/peacebuilding plans and resource mobilisation strategies;
    • vii. Advocate debt cancellation for post-conflict countries that do not traditionally qualify under heavily-indebted poor country criteria and other debt relief initiatives;
    • viii. Monitor debt cancellation for countries emerging from conflict, in line with its mandate for the socio-economic regeneration of the continent; and
    • ix. Provide ‘seed money’ to kick-start PCRD activities, while other sources of funding are being sought, including through public-private partnerships and harmonisation of such partnerships across national, regional, continental, and international levels.
    International Level
     d.At the international level, actors need to:

    • i. Recognise and provide support to cater for the special needs of countries and regions emerging from conflict, such as the lack of resources to finance the basic functioning of the state, including salaries and pensions for the civil service and security sector, as well as outstanding unpaid salaries and pensions, which have a critical impact on the stabilisation of the immediate post-conflict period situation;
    • ii. Improve coordination, harmonisation and flexibility of support to post-conflict countries and regions, in line with the priorities determined in national and regional needs assessments;
    • iii. Ensure that all support to conflict-affected countries and regions builds capacity and utilises local actors at all levels, while accounting for context specificity and conflict sensitivity;
    • iv. Support PCRD through sound investment, improved resource flows including official development assistance, debt relief particularly by conferring the status of heavily-indebted countries emerging from conflict, as well as improving trade conditions; and
    • v. Foster partnerships with the AU Centre for PCRD to fund peacebuilding activities in Africa. This can include exploring avenues to cooperating with the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF).
    Benchmarks and standards

    • a. Inclusion of provisions for wealth-sharing and mobilisation of national resources in support of PCRD in peace agreements;
    • b. Strategies that optimise both internal and external resources, and capacities for the benefit of PCRD;
    • c. Systems in place for tracking international commitments and pledges;
    • d. AU and REC mechanisms that support the resource mobilisation strategies, capacities for project/programme management, negotiation for favourable arrangements with strategic partners, international and continental financial institutions, international and continental private enterprises, chambers of commerce, small and medium enterprises and trade organisations, of countries emerging from conflict;
    • e. Reduction in debt burden for countries emerging from conflict;
    • f. Strengthened AU mechanism for coordination of support from Member States as well as donor/solidarity conferences for countries emerging from conflict;
    • g. Utilisation of resources of the AU Peace Fund to provide seed money to jump-start and sustain PCRD activities;
    • h. Simplified and improved coordination and accelerated disbursement of support to countries emerging from conflict;
    • i. The ASI is operationalised through the implementation of its resource mobilisation strategy, the development of strategies and mechanisms to operationalise all aspects of the ASI (including identifying post-conflict needs, channelling funds, reporting and monitoring, etc.);
    • j. A mechanism developed in the frame of the ASI to support Member States to engage with each other directly on addressing post-conflict needs, and the necessary capacities are to be established at the level of the AUC in order to keep the ASI operational; and
    • k. Needs of conflict-affected Member States are assessed regularly and systematically, and linked to resource mobilisation efforts.


    Actors, Governance Mecanisms and Processes

    The implementation of PCRD is dependent on a range of state and non-state actors operating at the national, regional, continental and international levels. In recognition of the limited capacity in conflict-affected countries, actors at the continental level provide strategic leadership in PCRD efforts, regional actors augment this leadership while affected countries implement the various PCRD activities within their capabilities. These continental, regional and national efforts are supported by international actors and civil society. In line with this framework of cooperation, complementarity and subsidiarity, the activities of the myriad actors engaged in PCRD should be coordinated by the country emerging from conflict, supported by regional organisations, with strategic leadership from the AU, in line with the underlying principles of this Policy.

    Ensuring optimal performance of various actors undertaking PCRD requires mechanisms and processes that ensure all activities are aligned with the needs and priorities of the country emerging from conflict, that they are pursued through the emergency, transition and development phases of reconstruction, and that they are comprehensive, ranging from needs assessment, implementation, monitoring, to impact assessment.
    Continental Level
    At the continental level , Key actors are the AU Organs , such as the AU Commission including the AU Centre for PCRD, the PSC, the Pan African Parliament and the African Commission and Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, among others, all its specialised institutions , and other Pan African institutions , including the AfDB .

    a) At this level, the AU provides overall strategic political leadership in PCRD and acts as a guarantor of PCRD processes on the continent. In doing so, it shall:
    • i. Avail this Policy and template for adaptation by countries or regions emerging from conflict;
    • ii. Encourage RECs, Member States and relevant AU offices and specialised institutions to adopt and implement the revised AU PCRD Policy;
    • iii. Advocate and monitor international support to countries emerging from conflict;
    • iv. Monitor progress in the implementation of PCRD in affected countries and/or regions;
    • v. Leverage resources and support for the implementation of PCRD;
    • vi. Create and manage an active and effective database of African experts on various aspects of PCRD, to be deployed in, and backstop, affected countries and regions, as required; and
    • vii. Utilise its specialised agencies to provide training that creates human resource capacity in affected countries and regions.

    b) The key mechanisms to ensure that Africa remains seized with the PCRD of an affected country are the following, which form an overall PCRD architecture:

    • i. The AU Centre for PCRD to conduct conflict analysis and needs-based assessments in affected countries and regions (including joint analysis with relevant partners), and to design PCRD/peacebuilding activities and programmes, and pursue their implementation including through partnerships and mobilisation of required resources as well as through coordination with relevant actors at all levels to ensure complementarity and effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts;
    • ii. A PSC Standing Committee on PCRD to monitor the activities of all actors, provide support to affected countries and regions, and to review the state of reconstruction on the continent on a regular basis;
    • iii. A Ministerial Committee on the reconstruction of each post-conflict country or those undergoing political transition;
    • iv. An AU Working Group on PCRD to effectively deliver, perform and coordinate PCRD activities of the Commission, AU liaison and regional offices, as well as specialised agencies of the AU; and
    • v. A multidimensional AU Committee on PCRD, to interact on a constant basis, with international actors including the UN Peacebuilding Commission, and ensure that Africa’s vision and priorities are reflected in these structures and regional centres of excellence to incorporate the AU PCRD Policy in their training curricula and CSOs to help with its dissemination.
    Regional Level
    At the regional level: The successful implementation of this Policy requires the active engagement of regional groupings and their institutions in order to take advantage of existing resources, mechanisms, processes and synergies. Owing to their proximity to and knowledge of countries emerging from conflict, RECs/ RMs/RBs are well placed to serve as the regional focal points for PCRD. Key actors at the regional level include RECs, RMs and other regional entities. These actors are also the link between the national and continental levels and well positioned to inform the design of peacebuilding activities of the AU Centre for PCRD. a) Regional actors and processes will:

    • i. Prioritise the adaptation of the AU PCRD Policy and develop guidelines for its implementation, at regional level;
    • ii. Coordinate the harmonisation of national policies and legislation on PCRD;
    • iii. Guide implementation of regional and cross-border and transnational programmes relating to PCRD;
    • iv. Provide regular reporting on the state of PCRD activities within their regions to the PSC, as per Art. 16(3) of the PSC Protocol; and
    • v. Ensure harmonisation, coordination and exchange of information on PCRD with other RECs, called for in Art. 16 (4) of the PSC Protocol.
    b) To undertake these responsibilities, the following regional mechanisms are envisaged:

    • i. Regional guidelines, frameworks and plans of action for the implementation of PCRD; and
    • ii. A regional focal points mechanism to support PCRD processes;
    National Level
    At the national level: The success of PCRD will ultimately be determined by the political will, leadership and capacity of national and local actors in conflict-affected countries. Notwithstanding the weak capacity, which often characterises post-conflict situations, national and local authorities and actors should take the lead in planning, implementation and monitoring all PCRD activities with support provided by the AU Centre for PCRD. National leadership of the process will ensure a broad-based sense of ownership and enhance the chances of sustainable PCRD.

    a) Actors at the national level will:

    • i. Develop policies and strategies, and put in place mechanisms, structures and processes that ensure comprehensive, integrated and coherent PCRD programmes;
    • ii. Promulgate enabling legislation, simplify administrative processes and eliminate obstacles to the implementation of PCRD activities;
    • iii. Provide leadership in the process of determining an inclusive national vision, and, as early as possible, clarifying the division of labour, roles and responsibilities of actors involved in PCRD;
    • iv. Lead, coordinate and monitor all PCRD activities; and
    • v. Seek, where needed, regional and international support for humanitarian assistance, recovery, rehabilitation and development, including capacity building.


    b) To undertake these responsibilities, the following mechanisms are envisaged:

    • i. A national focal point on PCRD to coordinate actors and monitor implementation of PCRD, ensuring alignment with the country’s needs and priorities;
    • ii. Inter-departmental/Ministerial Committees to implement multisectoral programmes and activities in a coordinated fashion; and
    • iii. Mechanisms that ensure the participation of all relevant sectors of society including CSOs, women’s organisations, and other national and local actors.
    International Level
    At the international level:
    While recognising that Africa takes the leadership and ownership of its reconstruction and development agenda, international multilateral organisations, to which Member States also belong, have a duty to support the successful implementation of PCRD in the continent. These organisations should, therefore, put at the disposal of the AU, the RECs, RMs and Member States, their expertise, experience and resources in the area of PCRD. These multilateral organisations include the UN system, the World Bank, IMF, and other related institutions. The broader international community also includes multilateral and bilateral partners, with whom the AU and its Members already have relations. a) Actors at this level will:

    • i. Strengthen the relationship between the UN PBC and the AU, including through leveraging the annual consultative meetings between the AU PSC and the UN PBC, with regard to mobilising international support to peacebuilding and development activities conducted by the AU Centre for PCRD;
    • ii. Promote the twinning of non-African partner institutions with African institutions for effective capacity building of local actors; and
    • iii. Encourage participation of specialised technical agencies to support the reconstruction and development of conflict-affected countries.


    b) Mechanisms needed to fulfil the above objectives are:

    • i. Institutionalised partnership between the AU (the multidimensional committee on PCRD and the AU Centre for PCRD) and the UN PBC and its PBSO and PBF, at the UN Secretariat and other concerned departments of the UN; and
    • ii. Strengthening of existing and creating new fora for dialogue between the AU and its development partners.
    Civil Society
     Civil Society:
    Art 20 of the PSC Protocol, which “encourages non-governmental organisations, community-based and other CSOs, particularly women’s organisations, to participate actively in the efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and stability in Africa”, provides a mandate for the engagement of non-state actors in PCRD processes and activities. Civil society actors, as defined by the ECOSOCC statute, should therefore be involved in PCRD activities at all levels, as a way of complementing the capacity of state actors. a) Actors at this level will:

    • i. Generate information and analysis to input into PCRD processes;
    • ii. Undertake, within their capability and expertise, PCRD activities as defined within the national framework;
    • iii. Partner with national authorities in all aspects of PCRD with a view to building and enhancing capacity and accelerating realisation of PCRD objectives;
    • iv. Engage in advocacy in support of national PCRD programmes and activities;
    • v. Mobilise resources for PCRD;
    • vi. Raise awareness and popularise the contents of PCRD policies and strategies;
    • vii. Ensure participation of CSOs, including the academia, private sector, among others in multilateral processes such as the PSC sessions on PCRD; and
    • viii. Partner with academic institutions and centres of excellence to develop peace curriculum and promote peace studies.
    Benchmarks and standards
    • i. The AU remains seized with and provides strategic leadership for each post-conflict situation;
    • ii. The AU Centre for PCRD is fully operational, conducts conflict analysis and needsbased assessments in affected countries and regions, and designs peacebuilding activities and programmes and pursues their implementation including through partnerships and mobilisation of required resources as well as through coordination with all relevant actors;
    • iii. Regional frameworks, operational guidelines, plans of actions and budgets on PCRD;
    • iv. Functional regional focal points on PCRD and adequately resourced mechanisms;
    • v. Comprehensive national policy on, and functioning institutions to implement
      • PCRD;
    • vi. The synergy between the AU Centre for PCRD and the PCRD Unit, in the framework of the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department is the cornerstone to improve efficiency of PCRD programmes and activities. Coordination with other AU Departments is crucial. Therefore, the AUC Inter-Departmental Task Force will provide a robust coordination platform;
    • vii. A functional Working Group co-chaired by AU PAPS Commissioner and the CEO of AUDA-NEPAD to support the wide coordination efforts, notably in terms of mobilising funds and technical assistance;
    • viii. A functional Continental Framework of Practitioners and National Agencies of Development and International Cooperation to support African endeavours of self-reliance and solidarity between Member States;
    • ix. The AU PSC is encouraged to establish Ministerial Committees on PCRD in order to boost the engagement of African countries towards peacebuilding settings in Africa;
    • x. Enhanced international support for PCRD through respect for African leadership, national ownership, greater coherence and synergy of activities, in line with the needs of the country emerging from conflict;
    • xi. Active engagement of civil society actors in PCRD processes;
    • xii. Member States, RECs, RMs, RBs, CSOs and all concerned stakeholders are encouraged to commemorate the AU Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development Awareness Week annually in November; and
    • xiii. Number and quality of initiatives undertaken to promote the PCRD Awareness Week.
    Benchmarks and standards
     Benchmarks and standards:

    • i. The AU remains seized with and provides strategic leadership for each post-conflict situation;
    • ii. The AU Centre for PCRD is fully operational, conducts conflict analysis and needsbased assessments in affected countries and regions, and designs peacebuilding activities and programmes and pursues their implementation including through partnerships and mobilisation of required resources as well as through coordination with all relevant actors;
    • iii. Regional frameworks, operational guidelines, plans of actions and budgets on PCRD;
    • iv. Functional regional focal points on PCRD and adequately resourced mechanisms;
    • v. Comprehensive national policy on, and functioning institutions to implement
      • PCRD;
    • vi. The synergy between the AU Centre for PCRD and the PCRD Unit, in the framework of the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department is the cornerstone to improve efficiency of PCRD programmes and activities. Coordination with other AU Departments is crucial. Therefore, the AUC Inter-Departmental Task Force will provide a robust coordination platform;
    • vii. A functional Working Group co-chaired by AU PAPS Commissioner and the CEO of AUDA-NEPAD to support the wide coordination efforts, notably in terms of mobilising funds and technical assistance;
    • viii. A functional Continental Framework of Practitioners and National Agencies of Development and International Cooperation to support African endeavours of self-reliance and solidarity between Member States;
    • ix. The AU PSC is encouraged to establish Ministerial Committees on PCRD in order to boost the engagement of African countries towards peacebuilding settings in Africa;
    • x. Enhanced international support for PCRD through respect for African leadership, national ownership, greater coherence and synergy of activities, in line with the needs of the country emerging from conflict;
    • xi. Active engagement of civil society actors in PCRD processes;
    • xii. Member States, RECs, RMs, RBs, CSOs and all concerned stakeholders are encouraged to commemorate the AU Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development Awareness Week annually in November; and
    • xiii. Number and quality of initiatives undertaken to promote the PCRD Awareness Week.

    PCRD Key Milestones at a Glance

    Footprint of Success

    2006-2020

    2006

    PCRD Policy
    • Development of the AU’s Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) policy

    2012

    The African Solidarity Initiative (ASI)
    • Launch of the African Solidarity Initiative (ASI) in 2012 as a flagship continental mechanism for mobilising resources within the African continent to build the institutional capacity of African states that were, and are, emerging from conflict
    • Milestone 3

    2014

    African Solidarity Conference (ASC)
    • Launch of the African Solidarity Conference (ASC) at level of Heads of State and Government as part of activities marking 50th anniversary of the OAU/AU and to assemble varying resources for projects in post-conflict African states;

    2016

    Inter-Departmental Task Force on PCRD
    • Inter-Departmental Task Force on PCRD established on 18 May 2016 to facilitate an effective, timely and coordinated Commission-wide approach on the implementation of the AU PCRD Policy.

    2017

    Second ASC
    • Second ASC to mobilise multifaceted support for the implementation of AU PCRD projects in the Central African Republic (CAR)
    Examples that highlight the increasing implementation of PCRD support in member states
    • Implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) and Peace Strengthening Projects (PSPs) in Somalia
    • Development of Regional Stabilization Strategy for the Lake Chad Basin and the Stabilization Strategy for the Sahel
    • Support in the areas of reconciliation and healing in South Sudan
    • Support in the establishment of Human Rights Commission and in the areas of disarmament
    • Demobilization and reintegration (DDR) as well as security sector reform (SSR) in Central African Republic
    • Support in the areas of SSR, rule of law, and transitional justice in the Gambia, where the AU deployed a PCRD mission
    2021
    • Through the deployment of multidimensional needs assessment missions and the implementation of quick impact and peace strengthening projects, the Commission supported Burundi, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau and Madagascar.
    • The Commission also contributed towards processes aimed at developing regional guidelines for implementing specific PCRD activities in EAC, IGAD and ECCAS.
    • Launch of a PCRD Awareness Week from 7 to 13 November 2021 on continent-wide basis. This initiative, the first of its kind, and endorsed by the PSC, brought together stakeholders from across the AU peacebuilding sphere to exchange views on practical ways to support countries in political transition, strengthen resilience and avoid a relapse into violent conflict, instability and political crises.
    • AU Centre on PCRD was formally launched on 23 December 2021 in Cairo with the mandate to serve as a hub of operational excellence on peacebuilding efforts on the continent, including by implementation of PCRD programmes.
    2022
    Strengthening Humanitarian-PCRD nexus


    • Successful holding of the African Humanitarian Summit & Pledging Conference held between 25 - 27 May 2022 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea under the theme ‘Humanitarian Financing: Addressing the Current Humanitarian Challenges in Africa.’ The Extraordinary AU Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference deliberated on efforts by African leaders to address the humanitarian challenges that the continent is facing, identified durable solutions to address the current humanitarian challenges especially of humanitarian financing and those that contribute to postconflict recovery, peace and development.
    • Revitalization of the Inter-Departmental Task Force on PCRD
    • The AU Commission commemorated the second Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Awareness Week. The theme of the week was ‘Towards Repositioning Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development in Africa - ‘Greater Awareness, Sustained Peacebuilding’. The objective of the week was to raise awareness and ensure an increased buy-in from stakeholders in supporting effective PCRD and peacebuilding responses through the mobilization of the necessary human, financial, material and institutional resources, at the national, regional and continental levels.
    • Deployment of a team of Experts to Comoros to support the capacity building on Constitutional and Governance institutions in the Union of Comoros ahead of the 2024 elections was undertaken
    Strengthening the nexus between peace, security and development


    • The Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department and Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals Department of the AUC in partnership with the African Import-Export Bank, the African Development Bank, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Development Programmme held the first African Union Policy Conference on the Nexus between Peace, Security and Development from 25 to 27 October 2022 in Tangiers, Morocco.
    • The Policy Conference aimed at addressing the increasing challenges against African economies that weigh heavily on their security and stability, particularly countries emerging from conflicts and those in political transition. It also provided an opportunity for the AU and its Member States, RECs/RMs, as well its Partners, to reflect on the measures and strategies to simultaneously promote development, regional integration, and peace and security on the continent, in line with the AU PCRD policy.
    2023
    211. During the year under review, the African continent has experienced a notable reduction in violent conflicts, reflecting the collective determination and unwavering efforts of the AU in collaboration with its partners. The progress in conflict reduction has underscored the imperative of continued commitment to peace consolidation and post-conflict reconstruction. The complex nature of operating environments, often characterized by multifaceted conflicts, has hindered a systematic and comprehensive implementation of PCRD pillars and interventions. The intricacies of conflict zones necessitate a flexible approach, which can be challenging to implement cohesively.

    i. Revision of the AU Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Policy


    • 212. From May 30 to June 1, 2023, the AU convened a second workshop to finalise the comprehensive revision of the PCRD policy, which had begun in 2022. This revision is a critical milestone in fine-tuning strategies for post-conflict recovery across Africa. It empowers the AU to respond more effectively to post-conflict challenges, ensuring a structured approach to peace consolidation. This updated document will further be enhanced by the ongoing development of draft Guidelines on Stabilisation drawing from rich experiences in the Lake Chad Basin and elsewhere on the continent.
    ii. Launch of the AU Working Group on PCRD


    • 212. From May 30 to June 1, 2023, the AU convened a second workshop to finalise the comprehensive revision of the PCRD policy, which had begun in 2022. This revision is a critical milestone in fine-tuning strategies for post-conflict recovery across Africa. It empowers the AU to respond more effectively to post-conflict challenges, ensuring a structured approach to peace consolidation. This updated document will further be enhanced by the ongoing development of draft Guidelines on Stabilisation drawing from rich experiences in the Lake Chad Basin and elsewhere on the continent.
    iii. Operationalization of the AU Centre for PCRD


    • 214. In September 2023, the AU Centre for PCRD became fully operational with the recruitment of its Executive Secretary. This development enhances the AU\'s capacity to provide expertise and resources for post-conflict reconstruction. The Centre further solidifies the AU\'s role in post-conflict environments, contributing to long-term peace and stability.
    • 215. The Assembly may wish to endorse the revised Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy, while requesting the Commission to work with the RECs/RMs to implement measures for its effective implementation. Furthermore, the Assembly may congratulate the African Union Champion for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development, His Excellency Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, for his continued commitment and leadership.
    2024
    Development of the Mental Health Psychosocial Support Guidelines


    • 367. The Commission is developing Mental Health Psychosocial Support Guidelines, aimed at enhancing mental health and psychosocial support services in post -conflict contexts. Key outcomes included the establishment of a clear framework for these guidelines, incorporating best practices and culturally appropriate approaches. The work towards the development of the Guidelines fostered collaboration among mental health professionals, policymakers, and community leaders, ensuring that the guidelines will be practical, inclusive, and sustainable. It is expected that this initiative will significantly improve mental health support systems and outcomes across the region, addressing critical gaps in care and support.
    • 368. The PSC held its 1234th meeting on Peace, Security and Development Nexus in Africa: Bridging Gaps Between Policy and Practice, in Cairo, Egypt. In particular, the PSC noted, with serious concern, the exponential growth of violent conflicts and complex crisis situations threatening peace, security and stability in Africa. The Council reiterated the imperative to redouble PCRD, stabilization, transition and peacebuilding efforts to prevent relapses and adoption of renewed and integrated approaches to effectively address emerging threats, in the pursuit of the AU flagship of Silencing the Guns and Agenda 2063.
    AU Journal on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development and Peacebuilding


    • 369. The AU through its PCRD Centre launched the first edition of the AU Journal on PCRD and Peacebuilding with articles contributed by scholars and practitioners from the five regions of the continent. This journal provides insight into the state peace, security, and development on the continent, the prospects, and challenges, and proposes ways of improving different peacekeeping/building interventions in relevant contexts.
    Support to Post-Conflict Countries


    • 370. A Capacity Building Program for States Institutions and CSOs was held on 28 – 30 October 2024 in Juba, South Sudan. This program aimed to introduce and expose the stakeholders in South Sudan to the newly adopted AU revised PCRD Policy with a focus on specific indicative elements such as Political Governance/Transition, Security, and Transitional Justice. This contributes to their capacity building in developing their democratic-governance mechanisms, especially as they prepare for the 2026 elections.
    PCRD Awareness Week


    • 371. The 4th Edition of the AU PCRD Awareness Week was commemorated from 18 – 23 November 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia under the theme ‘Collaborative Strategies & Pathways for Effective AU PCRD Policy Implementation’. This edition aimed to enhance the awareness of the general public and the main stakeholders on the consequences and risks of the resurgence of violence focusing on the lessons shared to maintain and consolidate peace as well as facilitate robust engagement with all stakeholders towards building a network of African and non-African practitioners of PCRD activities in Africa. The activities of the week also sought to mobilise resources and technical assistance to assist Member States that are recovering from conflicts.
    2025

    F. POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (PCRD)



    • 264. The Commission, through its Member States, RECs/RMs and partners has continued to advance the post-conflict, reconstruction and development agenda across the continent. The AU Centre for PCRD provides support to Member States in political transition and post-conflict contexts. Since the operationalization of the Centre in September 2023, efforts have been made to popularize the revised PCRD policy and engage MS to identify needs and jointly design relevant support programmes.
    • 265. A Capacity Building Program for National/States Institutions was held in April 2025 in Mogadishu, Somalia. The aim of this program was enhancing capacities of the stakeholders in Somalia on the four pillars of the newly adopted revised AU PCRD Policy (2024) in the areas of political governance, security sector, women, peace & security and human rights and transitional justice. The purpose was to contribute in Somali efforts towards democratic-governance mechanisms, especially as they continue to strive towards sustainable development.
    • 266. Inclusion of Women and Youth in Political Spaces and Peacebuilding is a key priority in the revised PCRD policy. A dialogue on the inclusion of youth and women was held in Madagascar in April 2025, the objective of which was to identify effective mechanisms for the involvement and amplification of women and youth voices as active players and participants in decision-making/leadership processes and as drivers of the development agenda in Madagascar. Participants were drawn from key sectors such as Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Interior, CSOs and other relevant national stakeholders. A roadmap was developed on future steps to reshape the discourse of women and youth in different policy and action-oriented platforms, thereby enhancing their role as agents of change for transparent, inclusive and accountable governance.
    • 267. Pursuant to Article 8 (5) of the PSC Protocol, and relevant decisions of the Assembly of the African Union on peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and post-conflict reconstruction, the Centre provided a broad briefing to the PSC Committee during validation of the Terms of Reference for reactivation of the PCRD Sub-Committee, held at Debre Zayit, Ethiopia in July 2025. The objective of this briefing was to provide a comprehensive overview of the African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (AU PCRD) Centre, particularly its mandate, strategic pillars, objectives, achievements, and current projects and contributions to sustainable development & peacebuilding across Africa such as the on-going quick impact project on school renovation in Liberia.
    • 268. The 3rd Coordination Meeting of the African Union High Level Working Group (HWG) held on 27 August 2025 under the leadership and co-chairship of the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace & Security and the CEO for AUDA-NEPAD had as main objective to update themselves on the state of play vis-à-vis the implementation of PCRD & Peacebuilding initiatives in relevant contexts, and keep abreast and enhance collaboration in peacebuilding efforts. This was instrumental in paving the way for the implementation of the triple nexus project on ‘peace-security-development’ in the pilot countries.

    F. POST-CONFLICT RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (PCRD) continued



    • 269. A technical engagement was held between AU Organs, RECs/RMs and relevant Stakeholders on the implementation of the revised AU PCRD Policy on the continent. The aim of this engagement was to update on the level of progress in the implementation of this important policy in identified contexts, discuss common areas for joint planning and implementation and above all support the RECs/RMs, where applicable, in developing their regional PCRD Policies which should be aligned to the continental one.
    • 270. The validation workshop of the Guideline on Mental Health Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to affected persons in pre-conflict, conflict and post-conflict contexts was successfully held, pending its final approval/endorsement by the AU Policy Organs. This validation workshop brought in AU MS representatives from the priority countries, experts in this area and other relevant entities such as Africa CDC, among others. The guideline will serve as a tool for the provision of mental health support to persons affected by the cycles of conflict in the post-conflict contexts.
    • 271. The fifth (5th) Edition of the AU PCRD Awareness Week was commemorated on 16 - 18 November 2025 in Addis Ababa and on 19 – 23 November 2025 in Cairo, under the theme ‘Rebuilding Lives After Conflict through Reparative Justice’. The aim of this edition was to enhance the awareness of the general public and the main stakeholders on root causes, consequences and risks of resurgence of violence focusing on the lessons to maintain and consolidate peace as well as facilitate robust engagement with all stakeholders towards building a network of African and non-African practitioners of PCRD & Peacebuilding activities in Africa. The PCRD Awareness Week seeks to harness the full potential of post-conflict recovery landscape as a force for positive change, driving sustainable and inclusive peacebuilding towards the achievement of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 – “The Africa We Want”. Consequently, post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding are interconnected, complementing each other as development enablers.
    • 272. During the 5th edition of the AU PCRD Awareness Week, the Centre launched the second (2nd) edition of the AU Journal on PCRD & Peacebuilding efforts on the continent. Generation of the annual PCRD Journal is a platform which presents opportunity for African youth, scholars, experts and other think tanks to contribute on research and provide critical thinking on post-conflict challenges and opportunities facing our continent, in view of the nine pillars of the Policy. This initiative is a platform for African writers to share insights and solutions rooted in African experience and expertise.




    PCRD Data Story

    Deliver as One.


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    PARTNERSHIP FOOTPRINT OF SUCCESS

    No one institution is capable of meeting all the continent's governance, peace and security needs. The progress made so far has been possible through joint efforts between the Commission, the RECs and RMs, Member States, multilateral and bilateral Partners and international, continental and national civil society organisations. Our ability to effectively and efficiently deliver on our mandate is dependent on deepening our strategic partnerships, understanding the strengths and limitations of each Partner and maximising the opportunities each presents.
    Smart partnership and cooperation to enhance global governance, peace and security organisations
    In our new business model, co-creation is the hallmark of our partnerships. At the multilateral level, technocrats in the Department are working with their counterparts in other organisations, particularly the UN, in setting up joint task teams on critical elements in governance, peace and security. These joint task teams allow for collaborative analysis, horizon scanning and scenario development to guide decision makers in their organisations.

    To harness the opportunities provided by the continental free trade regime to promote peace, security and stability, we collaborated with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Mining, and other multilateral organisations, to organise a continental policy conference on Promoting the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus: The Promise of Regional Integration. The outcome of the policy conference offers concrete recommendations for promoting inclusive growth and development to minimise inequalities that could be mobilised to foment insecurity and proactively use the opportunities of Africa's free trade regime to promote peace and security.

    "In our new business model, co-creation is the hallmark of our partnerships"

    As part of our determination to use evidence­ based knowledge for policy development and implementation, we have instituted formal structures of engagement with African civil society organisations. The idea is to provide a platform to strategically interact and use civil society expertise to generate evidence­ based policy-oriented research to guide the Department's work, thereby ensuring use of the various studies being conducted.


    2021

    2021

    United Nations


    • Significant progress has been recorded in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security of April 2017 despite increasing threats to peace, security and good governance on the Continent amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes sustained policy dialogue, horizon scanning and clustered meeting, joint high-level missions, coordinated messaging including during electoral processes, and country-level coordinated action.
    • The 18th Joint Task Force in peace and security was held on 5 November 2021. The PAPS Commissioner and the UN Under Secretary Generals for the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Peace Operations as well as Operational Supports respectively (DPPA, DPO and DOS) discussed peace and security challenges on the Continent. Joint technical-level conflict prevention cluster meetings also held virtually with increased frequency in 2021 on country-specific situations, including in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Sudan, Mozambique, eSwatini as well as on elections.
    • The Commissioner for PAPS and the UN USG-DPO undertook a joint mission to CAR in June 2021 , in collaboration with ECCAS and the EU. The AU and UN have also worked closely with regional organizations such as IGAD in Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia. They also worked with ECOWAS for unified messaging on the situations in Mali and Guinea and are closely engaging in the Libya peace process. The Commission and the OSE-WPS collaborated with the UN to organize the annual Africa Women's Leadership Network (AWLN) Third Women Leaders Forum.
    • Through the joint project between AUC and UNDP on enhancing AU's capacities on Conflict Prevention , several programmes were implemented in line with the Project Initiation Plan (PIP). This include the CSVRA/CSVMS processes in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, Zambia and Ghana, with ongoing efforts to ensure sustained support for the implementation of the mitigation strategies as well as operationalization of peace architectures in Member States; capacities of CSOs in Eastern and Southern African regions were also enhanced on early warning; as well as the conduct of a training of trainers course by the Youth4Peace programme on "Art, Culture and Heritage" for peace, leveraging the AU theme of the year 2021.
    • The Commission also collaborated with the UN to develop its strategic documents such as policy guidelines, monitoring and reporting and accountability mechanisms for the Maputo Five-Year Work plan to operationalize the ASF. In collaboration with the RECs/RMs, as well as the African Peacekeeping Training Centres of Excellence (TCEs), the AU and UN enhance capacities of RECs' planning and management of peace operations as well as supported the operationalisation of the Continental Logistics Concept and Continental Movements Control Centre.
    • Collaboration between both institutions also facilitated the development of the training curriculum on gender mainstreaming for PSOs, the revision and harmonisation of the gender training package for AU PSOs; and the production of "She Stands for Peace" Podcast series on different thematic issues of the WPS agenda. In addition, the two organisations have worked together in the implementation of the Gender, WPS agenda, implementation of the AU Compliance Framework on the Conduct and Discipline and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; and the finalization of the AU Board of Inquiry policy for AMISOM.
    • Furthermore, the AUC Department of PAPS and the UN developed the AU Safety and Security Policy and Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) for AUC staff and installations in the field missions, as well as the AU policy on the management of recovered weapons in PSOs. Under the DOS Knowledge Experience Exchange Program (KEEP), the AU has been allocated licenses to access the Supply Chain schoolhouse, training facilities and opportunities. Medical support to AMISOM troops, including personal protective equipment and COVID-19 vaccines were enhanced.

    2021

    The European Union


    • The strategic partnership between the AU and EU continued to bolster and benefited from the guidance of the 2018 MoU on Peace, Security and Governance. Within the implementation of this MoU, key notable achievements were recorded. The political dialogue between the two institutions increased in frequency, scope and depth. In 2021, the Ministerial Meeting in Kigali among other things reaffirmed the need to reinforce the cooperation and work towards the effective delivery of the MoU. Furthermore, the Commissioner for PAPS engaged with EU counterparts on the strategic priorities to strengthen key partnership issues in the peace and security arena especially continuous EU support to AMISOM especially in the post-2021 period.
    • Despite the decade of flourishing engagement between the EU and the AU, concerns have been raised about the dissolution of the African Peace Facility (APF) and the creation of the European Peace Facility (EPF). The global nature of the EPF funding mechanism implies enhanced competition for resources which could potentially diminish support to the AU. Furthermore, the political role of the AU in disbursing funds from the APF to the RECs/RMs and Member States has been removed in the EPF structure; thereby allowing the EU to fund African Member States and RECs/RMs directly without consulting the AU.
    • These concerns were raised in Kigali and during the Commissioner's engagement with EU counterparts. The AU continues to call on the EU to reconsider the political nature of the EPF disbursement and to uphold the principle of responsive partnership. Looking ahead, the AU-EU Summit on 18 to 19 February 2022 is an opportunity to re-engage on these issues while strengthening the partnership.
    2022

    2022

    Partnerships for Peace


    • Several activities were implemented to strengthen the AU's partnership with multilateral regional and subregional organisation on peace and security. Through sustained policy dialogue, joint high-level missions, coordinated messaging and country-level coordinated actions, for instance, significant progress was recorded in the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. Further, in the context of AU-UN Partnership, there were regular engagements between the President of the UNSC and the Chair of the AUPSC between the AUPSC and UNSC on region-specific, as well as thematic issues.
    • Recognizing the challenge that political instability poses to sustainable development, the AU Commission was supported and joined by the UN and partners in organizing a Reflection Forum on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, in March 2022 in Accra, Ghana. The outcome of the Forum fed into the Malabo Declaration on Terrorism, and Unconstitutional Changes of Government adopted by the 16th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly held on 28 May 2022, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea as well as the adoption of the Accra Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa.

    2022

    Partnership for Peace


    • In partnership with the UNDP, the PAPS department established the African Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) during the year under review. AFSIT will support countries going through complex political transitions to peacefully navigate their pathway back to more stable democratic development, with a specific focus on ensuring the inclusion of women, young people and other marginalized groups. AUC and UNDP worked to operationalize the AFSIT and, guided by the Accra Declaration and various PSC directives, articulate the specific scope, structure, programmatic interventions, and criteria for supporting transitions.
    • The AUC-PAPS and ETIM, in partnership with UNDP, UNECA, African Development Bank and Afrexim Bank, the convened the inaugural AUC Policy Conference on Promoting the Peace, Security and Development Nexus in Africa, from 25 to 27 October 2022 in Tangier, Kingdom of Morocco. The Policy Conference allowed the AUC and its partners to reflect on measures and strategies to promote development, regional integration, and peace and security. The Conference adopted the Tangier Declaration. The joint organization of the Policy Conference demonstrated strong partnership between the AUC and development partners.
    2023

    2023

    Strengthening Partnerships for African Peace and Security


    • Milestones
      • The PSC and the European Union Political and Security Committee (EUPSC) held their 6th Informal Joint Seminar and the 14th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting (AJCM) and the from 2-3 May 2023, respectively, in Brussels, Belgium, to exchange views on their joint efforts to address the threats to peace and security in Africa. The Informal Joint Seminar discussed peace support operations in Africa and the global consequences of geopolitical development, while the Consultative meeting discussed the situations in the Horn of Africa, The Sahel and Lake Chad Basin and the Great Lakes Region. However, the PSC with the EUPSC did not reach commonly agreed conclusions for the second time.
      • Article 17 of the PSC Protocol provides for the PSC to cooperate and work closely with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and other relevant international organizations on the issues of governance, peace and security in Africa. In this context, the PSC and the UN Security Council convened their 8th Informal Joint Seminar and 17th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting (AJCM) on 5 and 6 October 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and adopted a Joint Communique. The Informal Joint Seminar discussed, among others, the issue of financing AU Peace Support Operations and the Consultative Meeting discussed the situations in Sudan, the Sahel region, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia, as well as the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). While underscoring the primary responsibility of the UN Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security, the two Councils reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to working together to address the challenges in these theatres in a coordinated manner.
      • Underscoring the importance of post-conflict and reconstruction activities in Member States emerging from conflict, the PSC convened a consultative meeting with the UN Peacebuilding Commission (UN-PBC) on 13 November 2023 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The session focused on enhancing collaboration between the two bodies and coordinating peacebuilding efforts on the continent.

    2023 (continued)

    • In December 2023, the PSC and the three elected African Members of the UNSC (A3) participated at the Tenth High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa: Assisting Incoming African Members of the United Nations Security Council (A3) in Preparing to Address Peace and Security Issues on the Continent, in Oran, Algeria, pursuant to communiqué [PSC/AHG/COMM/1.(CCCXCVII)], adopted by the PSC at its 397th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government on 23 September 2013. Key outcomes centred on enhancing PSC-A3 cooperation in advancing and promoting Africa's agenda and interests in the UNSC agenda.
    • The PSC and A3 commemorated its 10th Anniversary and considered the Manual on Modalities for Enhancing Coordination between the Peace and Security Council of the African Union and the African Members of the United Nations Security Council.
    • The Manual aims at providing guidance on how the PSC and A3 can promote and defend common African positions within the UNSC in accordance with the UN Charter, AU legal instruments and relevant decisions of the AU Policy Organs. The Conclusions of the 10th High Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, the Oran Process, have been adopted by the PSC at its 1193rd meeting of 22 January 2024, and attached herewith as Annex III.
    2024
    Partnerships for Peace, Security and Governance
    429. Inclusive, smart, and mutually beneficial partnerships continue to be the topmost priority for the PAPS Department. To this end, the Department pursues enhanced interconnectivity with all stakeholders and partners toward promoting good governance, peace, and security. Furthermore, the department seeks to continue to engage think tanks, do-tanks, the academia, and CSOs within and outside the continent, towards rethinking and proposing the pragmatic role of women and youth in peace and security as well as on other thematic areas, to make peace happen.
    United Nations
    • 430. Significant progress has been recorded in the implementation of the Joint UN- AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security of April 2017 despite increasing threats to peace, security, and good governance on the continent. AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and DPAPS senior staff held a strategic dialogue with UNOAU on 20 February 2024 which reflected on the experiences of the AU-UN partnership in peace and security in 2023 and the priorities for 2024.
    • 431. The 23rd Joint Task Force of USGs and CPAPS consulted at the UN Headquarters on 16 April 2024, comprising the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and the UN Under Secretaries General for Political & Peace Building Affairs; Peace Operations and the Special Representative of the Secretary- General to the African Union; along with the Assistant Secretaries-General (Africa) and Operational Support.
    • 432. The consultative platform examined the peace and security developments in the CAR, DRC, Ethiopia, Libya, Mozambique, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan, as well as West Africa and the Sahel region. It also considered the way forward, following the adoption of UNSC Resolution 2719 (2023). A senior-level Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the efforts of the Secretariat and its engagement with the AU towards the implementation of UNSCR 2719.
    • 433. The Joint Working Group on PSOs and Ad-hoc Security Initiatives continued interaction and coordination throughout the year. The AUC and the UN Secretariat maintained technical-level contacts on regional, country-specific, and thematic files. As part of the revitalization of the AU climate security cluster and the UN climate security mechanism , the first interdepartmental retreat on climate, peace, and security convened on 11 May 2024; the Retreat built on the consultative process conducted as part of the African continental climate security risk assessment, as requested by the AU PSC, as well as collaboration towards the development of the common African position on climate, peace and security. This includes sustained policy dialogue, horizon scanning and clustered meetings, joint high-level missions, coordinated messaging including during electoral processes, and country-level coordinated action.
    • 434. The Commission also collaborated with the UN to develop strategic documents namely; policy guidelines, monitoring and reporting, and accountability mechanisms for the Maputo Five-Year Work plan to operationalize the ASF. In collaboration with the RECs/RMs, and the African Peacekeeping Training Centers of Excellence (TCEs), the AU and UN contributed to enhancing the capacities of RECs/RMs’ planning and management of peace operations and supported the operationalization of the Continental Logistics Concept and Continental Movements Control Centre.
    • 435. AU/UN Partnership also resulted in the development of the training curriculum on gender-mainstreaming for PSOs, the revision and harmonization of the gender training package for AU PSOs; and the production of “She Stands for Peace” Podcast series on different thematic issues of the WPS agenda.
    • 436. In addition, the two organizations worked together in the implementation of the Gender, WPS agenda , and implementation of the AU Compliance Framework on the Conduct and Discipline and Sexual Exploitation and Abuse ; and the finalization of the AU Board of Inquiry policy for ATMIS .
    • 437. The UN and AU continued to hold strategic dialogues , both at Headquarters and in the field, to assess conflict situations, complementarities, and coordination of actions, and explore areas for common messaging. In this regard, the Annual Conference also officially established the High-Level Strategic Dialogue on Sustainable Development, to be chaired by the Deputy Secretary-General and the Deputy Chairperson. The High-level Strategic Dialogue held its 3rd meeting on 29 May 2024, at which they reviewed implementation mechanisms for the operationalization of the five “college-to-college” formations as a new method of working between AU Commissioners and their United Nations counterparts in the context of AU Agenda 2063 and SDGs 2030.
    • 438. On 8 July 2024, the Military Staff Committee of the AUPSC and representatives of the Military Staff Committee of the UN engaged in their first informal consultations at the AU headquarters. This enabled the two Committees to better understand their respective mandates, working methods, and challenges while laying the foundation for more effective collaboration to provide timely and informed advice to the two Councils.
    • 439. On 15 October 2024, the Peacebuilding Commission and the AUPSC scheduled at the UN Headquarters, their seventh annual consultative meeting, which explored the opportunities for enhancing cooperation with a view to supporting the African Union’s PCRD and peace-building efforts.
    • 440. The 18th AUPSC / UNSC Annual Joint Consultation took place on 18 October, in New York, preceded by the 9th Informal Joint Seminar on 17 October 2024. The deliberations considered matters about financing AU-led Peace Support Operations (PSOs), Youth, Peace and Security, and the working methods of the joint meetings and other engagements; as well as the review of the conflict situations in the Sudan, Sahel, Somalia, and eastern DRC.
    • 441. The meetings of the two Councils were preceded by two-day consultations of the AUPSC Committee of Experts and the Security Council’s Ad-hoc Working Group on Peace and Security in Africa, which included comprehensive briefings by the AU Commission.
    • 442. The eighth Annual Conference between the Secretary-General and the AUC Chairperson took place on 21 October 2024. The Secretary-General and Chairperson reviewed progress in the implementation of the “UN-AU Joint Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security” and the “AU-UN Framework for the Implementation of Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” and signed the AU-UN Joint Framework on Human Rights. Then discussions covered Unconstitutional changes of government and political transitions on the continent; the coordination of peace efforts in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa (Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan) and the Great Lakes region; the progress on Security Council negotiations on predictable financing of the AU-led peace support operations; Africa’s socio-economic recovery and the reform of the international financial architecture. The annual conference also endorsed the jointly developed roadmap for the implementation of UNSCR 2719 (2023) on the financing of AU-led PSOs.
    European Union
    • 443. The strategic partnership between the AU and EU continued to bolster and benefit from the guidance of the 2018 MoU on Peace, Security, and Governance . The formulation of the combined EU support programme for the AGA and APSA is nearing completion. Set to begin in January 2026, the programme is designed to capitalize on the synergies between the AGA and APSA, with a planned duration of four years. Key areas of cooperation include early warning, mediation, climate and security, human rights, and the promotion of good governance and democracy. This integrated programme will enhance human rights adherence in AU-led Peace Support Operations and will place a strong emphasis on increasing citizen participation in governance, peace, and security. Additionally, EU support through the Early Response Mechanism will be redirected to support the initiatives under the Crisis Reserve Facility of the AU Peace Fund.
    • 444. The Joint Financing Arrangement (JFA) has evolved into a non-binding coordination framework, now referred to as the "Joint Framework Arrangement (JFA)." The JFA is designed to strengthen coordination among all stakeholders involved in managing and supporting AU Commission initiatives. This framework encompasses both partners contributing earmarked funding and those providing non-earmarked funding for the Commission 's activities, with the coordination platform now extended to include AUC Member States. The JFA is set to remain in place until December 2028, with Canada, Denmark, the EU, Germany, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, already committed to it.
    TICAD Ministerial

    • 445. In preparation for the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) scheduled for August 2025, the PAPS Department participated in the TICAD Ministerial session in Tokyo, Japan, from August 24-25, 2024. This strategic engagement aimed to enhance partnerships and advance Africa's peace and security agenda. The session allowed stakeholders to deepen cooperation, sharpening collective approaches toward ensuring human dignity and security in Africa. While underscoring the imperative for robust Global multilateralism to achieve global security and the Peace we want in Africa, the following key reflections were highlighted (i) the free will of African citizens to build innovative capacity in the advanced age of the knowledge economy and new technologies particularly the youth for assured human security; (ii) Political will to boost democratic leadership In Africa evident In constitutionalism, rule of law, and building of resilient Institutions; (iii) Collective will that Is anchored on smart partnerships to achieve global sustainable security for all.
    • 446. The ministerial presented a platform to reaffirm the importance of prioritizing prevention while working to ensure lasting solutions to pervasive security threats including lingering conflicts, terrorism, and violent extremism by tackling the root causes. Overall, it highlighted the need to strengthen African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and African Governance Architecture (AGA) including support to AU-led peace support operations through UNSC Resolution 2719 (2023), sustainable and predictable financing, and capacity building for public institutions, as appropriate.

    Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC)



    • 447. In September 2024, President Xi Jinping hosted 34 African leaders to the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing. The AUC Chairperson, ably supported by the CPAPS and other Commissioners were also in attendance. Chinese President Xi announced China's readiness to work with Africa to implement China 's 10 partnership actions carefully crafted to jointly advance modernization in the two (2) continents and the overall characterization of China-Africa relations to be elevated to an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era. Within the ten (10) partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation, the PAPS related areas reflecting China's confidence and sincerity in promoting modernization with Africa are mutual learning among civilizations in state governance; development cooperation; people-to-people exchanges; and common security.

    Building an African

    Narrative Towards

    2063