Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1369th meeting held at the Ministerial level on 23 September 2026, on the theme: “Good Neighbourliness and Regional Responses to Security and Terrorism Challenges in Africa”;

The Peace and Security Council,

Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the foundational objectives and principles of the AU, as enshrined in Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitutive Act, particularly the respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity; non-interference in the internal affairs of Member States; peaceful co-existence of Member States and their right to live in peace and security,  the peaceful settlement of conflicts; the prohibition of the use or threat of force; and the inviolability of borders existing on achievement of national independence, as pledged in the historic 1964 Cairo Declaration [AHG/Res. 16(I)] adopted at the first ordinary session of the Organization of African [OB1] Unity (OAU) Assembly in Cairo, Egypt;

Recalling Assembly Decision [Ext/Assembly/AU/Dec.(XVI)] adopted at the 16th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 28 May 2022; as well the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), AU Agenda 2063, the AU Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact, and the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation (Niamey Convention);

Referring to its previous decisions encompassing Good Neighbourliness and Regional Responses to Security and Terrorism Challenges in Africa, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1354 (2026)] adopted at its 1354^th meeting held at the Ministerial level on 21 July 2026;

Further recalling the Tunis declaration on the Code of Conduct on Inter-Africa Relations [AHG/Decl.2(XXX)] which provides for the decision to take necessary operational measures to ensure that Member States’ territories do not serve as training camps or indoctrination centres for terrorist movements and armed rebels, or as sanctuaries for the planning and organization of terrorist and destabilization activities directed against the territorial integrity and security of Member States;

Underscoring the primary responsibility of States to their national peace and security and to combat terrorism and violent extremism;

Noting the opening remarks by H.E. Corinne Amori Brunet, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Benin and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of September 2026, and the introductory statement by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission; also noting the briefing by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and the statement by the Representative of the United Nations; and

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

1. Underscores AU’s efforts, including the adoption of the AU Continental Strategic Plan of Action on Counter-Terrorism in Africa (2026-2030), which provides a framework for strengthening continental coordination and cooperation against terrorism and violent extremism; requests the AU Commission to enhance efforts towards an integrated approach that combines continental policy direction with practical support to Member States; moving from essentially reactive responses to prevention, early warning and rapid action, cross-border cooperation, disruption of terrorist financing, countering online exploitation, and strengthening national and regional resilience; and urges Member States and RECs/RMs to support the full implementation of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan;

2. Reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy measures to address the conditions conducive to the spread of terrorism, to prevent and combat terrorism, to build States’ capacity to prevent and combat terrorism and to strengthen the role of the United Nations system in that regard and measures to ensure respect for human rights for all and the rule of law as the fundamental basis of the fight against terrorism;

3. Recognizes that the principles of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, mutual trust, interdependence, and solidarity constitute the bedrock of collective security in Africa; and underscores that scrupulous respect for these tenets is paramount to prevent conflicts as well as strengthening border cooperation among states that strengthen joint efforts in the against terrorist groups, armed insurgents and rebel groups and transnational organized crime; in this context, reaffirms our collective commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability across the African continent, while strengthening regional integration and sustainable development for all Member States,  in accordance with the relevant legal framework and instruments of the AU, in particular the  AU Constitutive Act;

4. Expresses deep concern over the complex and evolving transnational peace and security challenges facing the continent, including terrorism and violent extremism, armed rebellion, transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking, illicit financial flows,  unconstitutional changes of government, maritime insecurity, cyber threats, as well as adverse impacts of climate change and illegal exploitation of natural resources by non-state terrorists and armed groups; while recognizing the increasing security pressures facing Member States on the continent; particularly the growing expansion of terrorism and violent extremism into coastal and border areas, which is leading to serious security tensions and security pressures on Member States in the Gulf of Guinea; and underscores the importance of cross-border cooperation among AU Member States to address these challenges effectively;

5. Notes with concern the complex regional dynamics and diplomatic challenges currently facing the African continent and underscores the need for regional cooperation through the sharing of information and best practices in order to degrade and prevent terrorism and violent extremism, and to particularly prevent their occurrence and prevent them across the region;

6. Strongly condemns the barbaric attacks perpetrated by terrorist organizations, non-State armed groups, and criminal networks across the continent, which exploit the porous nature of borders, expansive terrain, institutional gaps, and local grievances to cause tragic civilian casualties, mass population displacement, destruction of infrastructures, loss of livelihoods and severe humanitarian crises; commends Member States which have deployed troops to neighbouring countries under regional efforts; and pays tribute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against terrorism; and stresses the vital need for enhanced coordination among AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), and international partners to implement sustainable counter-terrorism and prevention initiatives;

7. Also strongly condemns the increasing instances of external interference, including the  meddling of foreign actors in Africa’s internal affairs, particularly in conflict situations, which unduly prolong conflicts, undermine state authority, and fuel the proliferation of terrorism and non-state armed groups; in this respect, reiterates that African security challenges require African-led and African-owned solutions; and urges all external entities, including African state and non-state entities, to respect the sovereignty of AU Member States and immediately cease any interventions or engagements carried out by proxy;

8. Underscores the imperative to address the structural root causes and enablers of terrorism and violent extremism, including governance deficits, marginalization, youth unemployment, local conflicts, and disinformation; and emphasizes the vital role of local and traditional authorities, civil society, women, and the youth in preventing violent extremism, building community resilience and the facilitation of cross-border socio-cultural interactions, especially for people living in severe poverty in border areas;

9. Encourages the Member States to place the principle of good neighbourliness at the heart of peace and security architecture and to translate it into concrete and lasting security and cooperation, notably through the rapid and secure exchange of information and intelligence, joint assessments of common cross-border threats, coordinated surveillance of borders, the strengthening of liaison and communication mechanisms and, where appropriate, coordinated operations against terrorist groups and transnational organized crime;

10. Expresses solidarity with Member States and communities directly affected by terrorism and violent extremism, in particular those located in vulnerable border regions; and calls for good neighbourliness to be made a true instrument of conflict prevention, notably by improving interoperability between the different prevention mechanisms in order to promote integrated African resets, coordinated and adapted to the realities of each state and region;

11. Commends the efforts of the AU Champion on Counter-Terrorism and violent extremism, President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, H.E. Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, in advancing the AU agenda of combating terrorism and violent extremism, and requests the AU Commission to expedite the finalization of both the African Arrest Warrant and the AU Terrorist Data Bank, in order to facilitate enhanced cross-border judicial cooperation, disrupt illicit supply networks, and effectively address the challenge of regional safe havens;

12. Stresses the need for Member States to prioritize proactive terrorism prevention measures, as well as deradicalization, accelerate judicial cooperation, mutual legal assistance and streamline extradition agreements between neighbouring countries to ensure that terrorist operatives and their financiers find no legal haven anywhere on the continent and to foster constructive engagement with credible civil society actors, ensuring their vital contributions are harmonized within continental security frameworks; in this context, encourages Member States who have not yet done so to sign and ratify all AU anti-terrorism instruments, particularly the OAU Convention on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism adopted by the 35th OAU Summit held in Algiers in July 1999 and its Protocol, to close regional security gaps and strengthen the continent’s normative framework;

13. Encourages Member States to transform the principle of good neighbourliness into concrete security cooperation by enhancing the timely exchange of accurate information, intelligence-sharing regarding terrorist movements and illicit financial and arms flows, and conducting joint risk analyses of shared cross-border threats;

14. Welcomes the AU Commission’s ongoing efforts, through the African Union Border Programme (AUBP), in transforming border governance to translate the principle of good neighbourliness into practical stability; and calls for the advancement of integrated approaches to border governance linking security measures to development, local governance, trade facilitation, community engagement, social cohesion and respect for human rights;

15. Highlights the importance of a coordinated, coherent, and concerted migration governance as a pillar of efforts to strengthen good neighbourliness, and commends His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, African Union champion on the Migration Issue, for His steadfast leadership and sustained commitment to strengthening African migration governance;

16. Calls for enhanced coordination and synergy among the AU Commission, RECs/RMs, the United Nations, and relevant national authorities in order to address the existing gaps in terms of border management, early warning, rapid response, joint operations, and judicial cooperation to make our borders not only lines of sovereignty, but also areas of cooperation, connection and integration, to bring our administrations, our security forces, our intelligence systems, and above all, our populations closer together. Pursuing the construction of road, maritime, and air corridors, as well as rallying points, should be vectors for integration, economic development, and rapprochement;

17. Directs the AU Commission to make full use of the continental platform for cooperation among national and regional counter-terrorism centres, under the AUCTC, to facilitate the harmonization and effective implementation of counter-terrorism efforts across the Continent;

18. Reiterates its request to the AU Commission, in line with the February 2026 Assembly Decision 978, to develop a continental framework on countering the terrorist use of emerging technologies, including drones, encrypted platforms, and digital finance, building on the Algeria Guiding Principles and ensuring alignment with international standards; and calls upon the technology and financial sectors to enhance their partnership with Member States to prevent and counter terrorist recruitment, financing, and propaganda across digital platforms;

19. Appeals for predictable, sustainable, and sufficient financing for African-led peace and security initiatives, and also appeals to international partners to align their cooperation and support through the AU, within the African-defined priorities;

20. Reiterates its appeal to the international community to enhance flexible, sustainable and predictable technical and financial support to African-led peace support operations, including through the effective implementation of UNSC Resolution 2719(2023) and the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy;

21. Acknowledges that good neighbourliness can contribute to the achievement of the Silencing the Guns aspirations, promote regional stability, free movement of people, the objectives of the AfCFTA, border surveillance and coordinated response to the operations of terrorist groups, smugglers and transnational criminal networks;

22. Calls for the support of neighbouring States in peace processes, where necessary; while ensuring that their respective territory is not used to destabilize neighbouring countries; in this context, condemns any form of support to terrorist and insurgent elements and movements hosted, trained and provided logistical support with a mission to undermine the territorial integrity and security of neighbouring countries and the region;

23. Encourages Member States that are yet to do so, to recommit to deepening cooperation with their respective neighbouring countries and regional organizations with a view to promoting good neighbourliness as a guiding principle in the relations with their immediate neighbouring countries;

24. Also calls upon the AU Members to strengthen integrated border governance approaches that promote good neighbourliness, socio-economic development, trade facilitation, and community needs and concerns, including through enhanced participation of local and traditional authorities, women and youth in border-management initiatives; and

25. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter. 

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