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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 “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.”



Re-elected to head the Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) department. In March 2021, H.E Amb. Bankole Adeoye became Commissioner of the newly established Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) in the African Union (AU) Commission.

The Department, one of the creations of the AU's institutional reforms, is a merger of units of the former Departments of Political Affairs with Peace and Security.

PAPS Commissioner: Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria (re-elected in February 2025)
Peace and Security Department - Commissioner: Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Nigeria

@AUC_PAPS Hashtags: #APSA #AGA #AUPSC #SilencingTheGuns #NeTT4Peace

"Peace dividends can be only achieved only through efficient governance." Amb. Bankole

Our Collective efforts

Our Collective Efforts Effective Governance, Peace Dividends

On 15 March 2021, I took the oath of office and became Commissioner of the newly established Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) in the African Union (AU) Commission. The Department, one of the creations of the AU's institutional reforms, is a merger of units of the former Departments of Political Affairs with Peace and Security.

The rationale for the new Department is to enhance the Commission's efficiency in delivering on its mandate to promote peace, security and stability on the continent, based on integrating political governance in all peace and security initiatives of the AU. By this merger, the Department is expected to leverage the strengths of the two Directorates through enhanced synergy and coordination of efforts and maximise resources to deliver as one.

Realizing the goal of the merger requires meaningful integration that goes beyond co-location to include institutional and behavioral changes, a shift from the old business model, an openness to innovation and a willingness to transform. Even though the most critical element of the merger is a willingness to do things differently, change can be viewed as threatening. In the case of the PAPS Department, the effort to creater a leaner and smarter Commission also implies rationalisation of the human resources and systems. This has created an additional layer of challenges, particularly concerning the integration of tasks and operational synergies.

In addition to the related organisational issues, the merger commenced amid the global uncertainty and unpredictability occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to prevent and contain the pandemic's spread led to mobility restrictions. With global lockdowns in place, Commission staff had to work away from their offices, which significantly affected the Department's integration efforts at that stage.

We are progressively building trust and confidence, and our collective efforts have begun to yield some positive results

Despite the huge challenges, the Department is working to build an integrated and cohesive team that is strategically aligned and able to leverage its capabilities to promote complementarity and engender innovation for operational efficiency. We are developing structures that foster an appreciation of what needs to change and how things must change. The initial resistance brought about by the fear of the unknown is gradually giving way as staff realise that measures being put in place are meant to enable and enhance their work. We are progressively building trust and confidence, and our collective efforts have begun to yield some positive results.

In two years, we have recorded some modest successes in implementing the Department's mandate. We have supported some Member States in navigating complex crises and put in place measures to transform the drivers of conflict towards peaceful co-existence. We successfully shepherded the transition of the All's flagship peace operation, AMISOM, to a support mission, ATMIS, to assist the host state (Somalia) in taking control of its security and reconstruction. We have evidence to show that our efforts at stabilisation are yielding results.

We continue to work on fostering inclusion and meaningful participation, ensuring no population group is left behind in electoral processes

On political governance, we have initiated platforms to facilitate insightful conversations on eliciting compliance for our legal and normative provisions and strengthening national institutions for promoting democracy. We continue to work on fostering inclusion and meaningful participation, ensuring no population group is left behind in electoral processes to consolidate democracy via integrated approaches to election observation. We are developing structures to promote our institution's strategic partnerships with national, regional, continental and global actors, including the United Nations, and, in particular, provide strategic guidance on one of the most critical issues in the partnership: financing of peace operations.

Member States, RECs and RMs have continued to be central to the delivery of the mandate of the PAPS Department. We salute their continued singular and collective actions in promoting robust responses to the security challenges of the continent, while providing leadership towards the deepening of democracy and assuring collective security. We are extremely grateful to them.

Even so, we are confronted with several critical challenges. Democratic governance is facing an unprecedented assault, and we are grappling with the spread of terrorism and violent extremism on the continent. We have a considerable population of discontented young people, with some choosing perilous journeys in search of greener pastures. Even though the array of challenges we are called upon to address is growing, our resources are dwindling. Our human resources are being stretched thin. Funding for our activities is limited, and disbursements should be timeous. Simply put, the resources available do not match the tasks the PAPS Department has to execute.

Development Partners have been invaluable in our two-year journey. They have provided surge human resource capacity to address the Department's human resource challenges, offered catalytic and sustained funding to kick-start critical processes, and supported our endeavours. Through technical support. Partners have assisted us in developing strategic guidance for our processes.

The list is long, and I would like to use this opportunity to express the appreciation of the Department for the immeasurable support we have received so far. I hope we can continue to count on your support in the years ahead.

Bankole Adeoye _Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department_

Core Functions of Office
of Commissioner PAPS (OCPAPS)

3. CORE FUNCTIONS OF OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER PAPS (OCPAPS) The Office of the Commissioner of PAPS is responsible for the formulation and implementation of Political Affairs, Peace and Security policies, programmes, and strategies in line with the aspirations of Agenda 2063, the associated medium-term plans and other key continental legal and policy frameworks. The Office leads engagement with the AU Member States and strategic partners in the delivery of the PAPS continental priorities and programs.
Core functions

  • a. Sets the overall goals of the Political Affairs, Peace and Security portfolio in line with the AU Agenda 2063;
  • b. Drives follow up and implementation of all AU decisions relating to the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts and crises as well as peacebuilding, post-conflict reconstruction in Africa;
  • c. Drives the implementation of the Africa Peace and Security Architecture and the African Governance Architecture including related flagship programmes and projects;
  • d. Drives the ratification and domestication of key governance and democratization instruments in AU Member States;
  • e. Sets annual performance targets for the Political Affairs, Peace and Security portfolio and report on annual progress to the Peace and Security Council, Specialized Technical Committees and other AU Policy Organs;
  • f. Provides regular reports to the Chairperson of the Commission on portfolio delivery;
  • g. Carries out effective regular engagement and collaboration with, and timely reporting to the PSC, PRC and respective subcommittees;
  • h. Drives the implementation of the AU Institutional Reform Agenda as part of the senior leadership team;

  • i. Provides leadership and guidance to Directors in the implementation of policies and programs within the portfolio;
  • j. Leads partnership negotiations and resource mobilization with Strategic Partners to finance continental programmes and priorities;
  • k. Co-ordinates Specialized Technical Committees to promote the achievement of the portfolio mandate;
  • l. Drives coordination and cooperation with Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms for the Prevention of Conflicts and Crises in Africa in promoting sustainable peace and stability in Africa;
  • m. Ensures effective collaboration in programme development with the AU Development Agency (AUDANEPAD);
  • n. Collaborates with other members of the senior leadership team to ensure strategic coherence and overall synergy in the implementation of the Commission's programme and the delivery of high impact results for the continent;
  • o. Cultivates a knowledge management culture through promotion of research and publications that will ensure knowledge sharing and transfer within the department and with other departments across the Commission; and
  • p. Supervises Directors and inspires high performance and delivery across the portfolio.

AU PAPS COMMISSIONER’S REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

PEACE DIVIDENDS: Newsletter of the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security - April 2024 – Vol. 2, Issue 2

- PEACEFUL, SECURE, CONFLICT-FREE AND DEMOCRATIC: ‘THE AFRICA WE WANT’

Insecurity in Africa is growing, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Commissioner Amb. Bankole Adeoye told delegates at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa in February. This despite Member State security forces’ ‘sustained efforts … to Silence the Guns by 2030, within the larger context of the realisation of the aspirations of Agenda 2063’.

Adeoye was presenting highlights of the 2023 Report on the State of Peace and Security in Africa on behalf of AU Commission Chair H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, complementing the presentation of February 2024 Peace and Security Council (PSC) Chair, Morocco. He said Africa’s multiplicity and complexity of security threats continued last year, with the African Governance Architecture (AGA) and African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) taking strain.

Terrorism and violent extremism, rising insecurity and growing cross-border tensions flourished among AU Member States. This included climate-induced conflicts. Adeoye said the evidence was clear that climate change was a ‘threat multiplier that we should collectively address. … We remain resolute to contributing to the Common African Position on climate change peace and security in close collaboration with relevant actors’

"climate change was a ‘threat multiplier that we should collectively address. … We remain resolute to contributing to the Common African Position on climate change peace and security in close collaboration with relevant actors’"

From Libya to the Lake Chad Basin, and the wider Sahel zone, from Somalia in the Horn of Africa to Cabo Delgado in northern Mozambique, he said, ‘the security picture is depressing’. Private military contractors and mercenaries were present in many parts of Africa. Also worrying was the trend of democratic regression through unconstitutional changes of government (UCGs), complex and prolonged political transitions, and governance deficits. He referred to the successful military coups in Gabon and Niger, and several attempted coups, since last year’s AU Summit. Six Member States were suspended; the highest in AU history. Global conflicts such as the Russia/Ukraine war and the Israeli-Gaza situation, in the face of dwindling multilateralism, also negatively impacted Africa, he said.

Light house
PEACE DIVIDENDS: Newsletter of the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security - April 2024 – Vol. 2, Issue 2

One ‘positive’ was Member States’ greater commitment to constitutionalism and the rule of law. This was partly reflected in the successful presidential and legislative elections of 13 countries. A ‘shining light for democracy’ was Liberia’s peaceful transfer of power, where George Weah conceded defeat and handed the reins to President Joseph Boakai. ‘This historic demonstration of constitutional respect and adherence to the rule of law is exemplary, and this Assembly may wish to salute former President George Weah for upholding the cherished values of democracy and transfer of power.’

The AU Assembly had consistently reaffirmed zero tolerance for UCGs, he said. ‘This is greatly commendable. If the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063 are to remain on track, we must consign military dictatorship to the heaps of history. This Assembly has no room for military rulers.’

He said the Commission would continue leveraging AU Election Observation Missions to help Member States anchor constitutionalism and the conduct of regular, inclusive, credible and peaceful elections. Women and youth were also better represented in AU election observation processes last year (women at almost 60 percent). This year, 15 of the world’s over 50 expected elections worldwide will be held by AU Member States.

On another positive note, the AU had achieved numerous institutional milestones on its way to Agenda 2063 and Silencing the Guns by 2030, Adeoye said. The Commission and United Nations Development Programme launched the Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT) last July. This collaborative initiative will provide a strategic framework for integrated programmatic support to African countries undergoing political transitions.

The AU continues to re-energise the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) through operationalisation of the Inter-Regional Economic Community Knowledge Exchange (I-RECKE) platform. Last year this served as a platform for the AU Commission and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs) to intensify their collaboration. ‘We are also stepping up partnerships with think tanks through the Network of Think Tanks for Peace (NeTT4Peace) as we inject fresh ideas into promoting conflict prevention and conflict resolution.’ The AU Centre for Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) is now operational in Cairo, and the Revised AU PCRD Policy, which takes into account environmental sustainability, youth inclusion and child protection, has been finalised.

‘African solutions to African problems’ is being actualised through the Peace Fund, which the Commission operationalised in 2023. The Crisis Reserve Facility is fully functional, with US$7 million for 2023 and US$10 million for 2024. ‘The complex security challenges in Africa, compounded by increasing geostrategic competition, again confirm the imperative for sustainable, predictable, and adequate funding for AU peace interventions,’ Adeoye said. ‘The revitalised Peace Fund is a great success, and we will build on its potential.’

PEACE DIVIDENDS: Newsletter of the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security - April 2024 – Vol. 2, Issue 2

The AU, through its PSC and African Representatives on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), draws global attention to the UNSC’s part in the sustainable funding of AU-led Peace Support Operations. In December the UNSC adopted Resolution 2719, authored and sponsored by the A3 and co-sponsored by 28 African member states in the UN system. It’s a step towards sustainable financing for AU peace and security operations through UN-assessed contributions. The Commission is continuing its work towards operationalising the African Standby Force through mobilising the RECs/RMs.

It is also intensifying the Women, Peace and Security agenda working with the AU Special Envoy. ‘Given the critical and catalytic role of women in peacebuilding, the Commission is building capacity for women working with the Africa First Ladies Peace Mission and the Organization of African First Ladies for Development for effective coordination and impact,’ he said.

The AU Commission has scaled up mobilisation of partners in areas of governance, peace and security with a touch of innovation and flexibility based on its strategic priorities in the AGA and APSA. Regarding peace and security in 2024, Adeoye said it was important to scale up mutual solidarity and build local, national, regional, and continental resilience. He said the Commission needed to renew its commitment to mobilise support for general elections in South Sudan slated for December 2024. ‘We commend the C5 chaired by South Africa, with the membership of Nigeria, Algeria, Chad and Rwanda, for the consistent support,’ he said. It also needed to ‘intensify efforts to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and commence political dialogue in Sudan’.

‘The AU High-Level Panel on Sudan, led by H.E. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, is poised to work with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other stakeholders to engage the Sudanese parties.’ He reaffirmed the PSC’s position calling for constructive dialogue in finding amicable solutions to the Ethiopia-Somalia conflict, and said the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement for Northern Ethiopia was vital. He said the AU would work to consolidate and protect the gains of ATMIS in Somalia post-December 2024. He reminded delegates of the importance of maritime security – saying the AU was to consolidate its plan for the first-ever continental maritime exercise, ‘which has reached an advanced stage’.

The Commission is committed to strengthening AUREC cooperation. ‘We … will step up collaboration with IGAD, the Economic Community of West African States, Southern African Development Community, East African Community, and Arab Maghreb Union in addressing peace, security and governance challenges at the regional level,’ he said.

Adeoye noted the Commission’s support for the AU’s theme for 2024, which emphasises the right to inclusive education and education in emergency situations. And the Commission will this year start implementing the AU 10-year Strategic Plan for the protection of human rights.

‘I salute all the Champions, Special Representatives of the Chairperson of the Commission, and High Representatives in the Political Affairs, Peace and Security domain for pushing the continental agenda at the highest level,’ he said. ‘Specifically permit me to duly recognise the immense contribution of the AU Youth Ambassadors for Peace who joined this Assembly

‘We are fighting a second generation for liberation. That is freedom from the ideology of hate perpetuated by terrorism and violent extremism and unconstitutional changes of government. … A peaceful and secure Africa, a conflict-free Africa, and a democratic Africa symbolise the Africa we want.’

AU Peacemaking Programmes

Climate Change, Peace & Security

For a Common African Position on Climate Security


African Union Border Program (AUBP)

From Border to Bridges


Protection of Children in Conflict Situations

Protecting the Future



Women, Peace & Security

Engendering the Peace and Security Discourse


Youth for Peace (Y4P) Africa Programme

Enhancing Youth Agency in Peacebuilding



Career Milestones

Amb. Bankole Adeoye is a Pan-African career diplomat with experience spanning over 3 decades.
A strong advocate for Africa’s transformation, the Commissioner promotes building synergy across the continent for effective governance, durable peace, security and sustainable development.
Ambassador Adeoye assumed office as the African Union (AU) Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace & Security in March 2021, having been elected at the 34th AU Summit in February 2021.
He had served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA and Ambassador to Ethiopia with concurrent accreditation to Djibouti from 2017 to 2020.
With university qualifications in B.A. (Political Science & History - Ife, 1982) and MSc (Political Science - Lagos, 1987), the Commissioner is also a Commonwealth Chevening and British Council Scholar, who obtained a postgraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies (Distinction) from the University of Oxford, England in 1991.

Click here for the full Curriculum Vitae 

With a distinguished career spanning over 3 and half decades in the field of foreign policy and diplomatic practice, Bankole Adeoye has served in various strategic national and continental capacities, including:



2017 - 2020

  • Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the African Union (AU) & UNECA; and Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Republic of Djibouti (June 2017 - March 2020)
  • 3-time Chairperson of the African Union Peace & Security Council (PSC): July 2017; April 2018 & April 2019 and Leader of PSC field missions to Lake Chad Basin (2017) & South Sudan (2018)
  • Co-Convener, Group of Friends on Children Affected by Armed Conflict (CAAC), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2017-2020) and Member, Steering Group of the Group of Friends on AU/UN Partnership based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2018-2020)
  • Co-Chair, AU Working Group on drafting the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) as support mechanism on the role of H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari as the AU Champion-Leader of the 2018 continental theme: “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation” (2018-2020)

2010 - 2015

  • Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Director, Corporate Services Directorate NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency, South Africa - now African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) (2010-2015)

Core Areas of Strength & Performance


  • African Peace & Security Architecture (APSA) and African Governance Architecture (AGA) Implementation
  • Deep knowledge of the inner workings of the African Union, its Organs and bodies including the AU-PSC & processes
  • Nexus between Peace, Security & Sustainable Development
  • Institutional Development & Team/Collaborative Leadership
  • Rights-based Development Approach/Public Policy Analysis

Education


  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A Combined Honours) - Political Science & History (Second Class Upper), University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (1982)
  • Master of Science (M.Sc) Political Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria (1987)
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Diplomatic Studies (Distinction) University of Oxford, England under British Council/Commonwealth Chevening Scholarship Award, Foreign Service Programme (FSP) (1991)

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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