• Representatives of ministries, institutions and public administrations,

• Ladies and Gentlemen Experts and Resource Persons,

• Distinguished Participants,

• Ladies and gentlemen,

Hello!!

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1368^th meeting held on 2 September 2026, dedicated to an Open Session on the theme: "Protection of Child Soldiers in Africa (UNSCR 1612 (2005))".

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling Assembly Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.718(XXXII)] adopted by the 32^nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2019, which, inter alia, endorsed the strengthening of AU and Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) mechanisms for the protection of children in situations of conflict and the development of a Child Protection Architecture as a sub-aspect of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA); and Assembly Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.753(XXXIII)] adopted in February 2020, which encouraged the Union, Member States and RECs/RMs to redouble efforts to mainstream child protection in their programmes;

Also recalling its previous decisions on the prevention of the recruitment and use of children in situations of conflict and protection of children in conflict situation, particularly Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1262 (2025)] adopted at its 1262^nd meeting held on 20 February 2025, [PSC/PR/COMM.1290.1 (2025)] adopted at its 1290^th meeting held on 22 July 2025, and [PSC/MIN/COMM.2(DCLXI)] adopted at its 661st meeting held on 23 February 2017, among others;

Making reference to the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, particularly Article 22; the AU Policy on Mainstreaming Child Protection in the African Peace and Security Architecture; the AU Policy on Child Protection in African Union Peace Support Operations; and the Revised AU Policy on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development;

Recognising that the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups is both a grave violation of children's rights and a peace and security concern that can sustain armed actors, prolong cycles of violence, weaken family and community protection systems, and undermine disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR), security sector reform (SSR), post-conflict recovery and sustainable peace;

Cognizant that protracted and fragmented conflicts, violent extremism and terrorism, forced displacement, attacks on and military use of schools, poverty, food insecurity, school exclusion, weak birth and civil-registration systems, cross-border recruitment networks and other structural and immediate vulnerabilities can increase children's exposure to recruitment and re-recruitment;

Underscoring the importance of relying on credible and verified information coming from sources recognized by the AU in order to ensure acceptance by Member States concerned and their contribution to the process of protecting children in armed conflicts;   

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Hervé Djokpe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to the African Union and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council for September 2026; the introductory statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador H.E. Ambassador Losi Nancy Nonceba, Permanent Representative of South Africa on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and H.E. Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the African Union, in their capacities as Co-Chairs of the African Platform on Children Affected by Armed Conflicts (AP-CAAC); and the presentations by H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, African Union Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict, and Honourable Robert Doya Nanima, Member of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC) and Special Rapporteur on Children in Conflict Situations;

Also taking note of the statements by H.E. Ms. Vanessa Frazier, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict; H.E. Dr Laila Omar Gad, UNICEF Representative to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa; Ms Chantal Mutamuriza, African Union Lead, Save the Children International Pan Africa Office, representing the Save the Children Pan-Africa and AU Liaison Office in its capacity as Secretariat of the AP-CAAC; and

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1367^th meeting held on 1 September 2026 on the Review of the Situation in the Central African Republic (CAR).

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in the Central African Republic (CAR), in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1338 (2026)] adopted at its 1338^th meeting held on 9 April 2026, and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1302 (2025)] adopted at its 1302^nd meeting held on 19 September 2025;

Reaffirming the AU’s steadfast commitment to the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national unity of the CAR, as well as its solidarity with the Government and people of the CAR in their efforts toward durable peace, security, stability, national reconciliation, democratic governance, and sustainable development;

Underscoring the critical role of the AU as a guarantor of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR (PAPR-CAR), signed on 6 February 2019, and the importance of the continued implementation of the 2021 Joint Roadmap for Peace in the country;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Hervé D. Djokpe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC of the AU for September 2026, as well as the introductory statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS);

Also taking note of the statement by Her Excellency Mrs. Sylvie Valérie Baïpo-Témon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francophonie, and Central Africans Abroad of the CAR; further taking note of the statements by the Representative of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and by H.E. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to the AU and Head of the UN Office to the AU (UNOAU); and

Organised by the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), with support from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the three-day workshop brought together strategic, operational and technical experts to document and share experience from AU Peace Missions, with particular focus on the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission in Ethiopia (AU-MVCM), the AU Support and Stabalization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) in the Lake Chad Basin.

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1364th meeting held on 24 August 2026 on Coordination between AUCTC-APRM-CISSA-AFRIPOL on CEWS: Validation of the Continental Threats Assessment and Risks Mapping Tool and APRM Early Warning System (EWS)

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all previous decisions and pronouncements on early warning, peace, and security in Africa, particularly Communiqués: [PSC/PR/COMM.1320 (2025)] adopted at its 1320^th Meeting held 16 December 2025, [PSC/PR/COMM.1298 (2025)] adopted at its 1298^th meeting held on 27 August 2025, and [PSC/PR/COMM.1251 (2024)] adopted at its 1251^st meeting held on 17 December 2024;

Reaffirming the central role of the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) in conflict pre-vention under the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the vital necessity of analytical convergence among AU specialized institutions and the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs);

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and Chairperson of the PSC for August 2026, and the introductory remarks by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Polit-ical Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS);

Also taking note of the presentation by Mr. Mohamed Lamine Nait Youcef, Expert of the Peo-ple’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and Chairperson of the CoE for the month of August 2026; and by Mr. Lallal Idriss Lakhdar, Acting Director, AU Counter Terrorism Centre (AUCTC);

Further taking note of the statements by H.E. Ambassador Marie-Antoinette Rose-Quatre, Chief Executive Officer of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), read by Mr. Batlokoa Makong, Advisor to the APRM CEO; H.E. Ambassador Jackson Victor Hamata, Executive Secretary of the Com-mittee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA); and H.E. Ambassador Jalel Chelba, Acting Director of the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation (AFRIPOL);

COMMUNIQUÉ

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1360^th meeting held on 12 August 2026 on "progress made in the Silencing the Guns in Africa Roadmap: Revitalization";

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling Assembly Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.630(XXVIII)] through which the 28th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa, from 30 to 31 January 2017 endorsed the AU Master Roadmap (AUMR) of Practical Steps for Silencing the Guns in Africa by the Year 2020; and Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.843(XXXVI)] adopted by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 36^th Ordinary Session, held in Addis Ababa, from 18 to 19 February 2023, through which the Assembly extended the duration of the AUMR implementation to 2030 and underlined the responsibility of Member States to fully implement the relevant AU normative frameworks and instruments;

Also recalling the AU Declaration on Silencing the Guns in Africa adopted in Johannesburg in 2020, as well as all previous decisions and pronouncements of Council towards Silencing the Guns in Africa, in particular Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1252 (2024)], adopted at its 1252^nd meeting held on 18 December 2024;

Faithful to the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the PSC of the AU; and the commitment to the implementation of Agenda 2063, the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Governance Architecture (AGA), the AUMR, the AU Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Policy, the Common African Defence and Security Policy (CADSP), the Tunis Declaration on a Code of Conduct for Inter-African Relations, the direct connection between peace, security, governance, humanitarian support and development;

Take note of the opening remarks by H.E. Dr. Ambassador Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of August 2026; the briefing by H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns in Africa; the statement by H.E. Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (WPS); Representatives of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU) and Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs); and

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1364^th meeting held on 26 August 2026 on Briefing on the Latest Developments in South Sudan.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in South Sudan, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1343 (2026)] adopted at its 1343^rd Meeting held on 30 April 2026, on the adoption of the outcomes of the PSC field mission to Juba, South Sudan, conducted from 23 to 25 April 2026; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1326 (2026)] adopted at its 1326^th meeting held on 23 January 2026;

Also recalling the decisions of the Summit of the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5 Plus), held on 15 February 2026, which called for the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the urgent resumption of inclusive dialogue, and the organization of credible elections by December 2026 without any further extension of the transitional period;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for August 2026, as well as the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS);

Further taking note of the briefings provided by H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea; H.E. Geoffrey Onyeama, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Head of the AU Assessment Mission to South Sudan; and H.E. Ambassador Nonceba Losi, Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the AU, in the capacity as Chair of the C5, on the C5 Ministerial Visit to Juba held from 6 to 8 July 2026; as well as the statements delivered by the representatives of the Republic of South Sudan and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD);

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1365^th meeting held on 24 August 2026, on the Consideration of the Conclusions of the 2^nd Joint Consultative Meeting between the PSC of the AU and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), held at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 19 August 2026:

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions on its engagements with the PAP, particularly Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1290.2 (2025)] adopted at its 1290th meeting held on 22 July 2025, which adopted the Conclusions of the 1^st Joint Consultative Meeting between the PSC and the PAP held in Midrand, South Africa from 17 to 18 July 2025;

Taking note of the Opening Statement by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for August 2026; and the presentation by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, as well as statement and presentation by H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, President of the Pan-African Parliament, on the strategy of the new PAP Bureau to promote peace and security in Africa;

Recognizing the critical role of parliamentary diplomacy as an integral component of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA), complementing the constitutional mandates of Member States, the PSC, and Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs); and

Determined to further strengthen working ties with the PAP in the promotion of good governance, peace, security, stability, and development in Africa;

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1362^nd meeting held on 21 August 2026 on Consultation with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR).

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all previous decisions of Council pertaining to the consultations and cooperation with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), particularly, Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1284.2 (2025)] adopted by Council at its 1284^th meeting held on 19 June 2025; and [PSC/PR/COMM. 1019 (2021)] adopted by Council at its 1019^th meeting held on 10 August 2021;

Mindful of the relevant provisions of the AU Constitutive Act and Article 19 of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union, which provides for the working relationship between the Council and the ACHPR, alongside Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which provides for enhanced cooperation between the ACHPR and other institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights;

Reaffirming the interdependence among human rights, peace, security, governance, and sustainable development, and stressing that the effective protection and promotion of human rights are essential prerequisites for effective conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and lasting stability across the African Continent;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Dr. Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC of the AU for the month of August 2026; and the introductory remarks by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, read on his behalf by Ms. Patience Zanelle Chiradza, Director of the Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate (GCPD) within the Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) Department; as well as the presentation by Honourable Idrissa Sow, Chairperson of the ACHPR; and

25-28 AUGUST 2026 | AUC – HQ | ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA | DRAFT AGENDA

Draft Concept Note: Click here 

Draft Agenda: Click here

Pan African Youth Leadership Manual

Table of Contents

4   Foreword

6   Preface

8   Vote of T hanks

10  Introduction

11  Opportunity

11  Objectives

12 The Pan-African Youth Leadership Manual: An AGA-APSA Contribution to Agenda 2063

13   About the manual

14  Context: Continental normative and policy frameworks

16   Section A – Future Leaders: Advocate, Negotiate, Include

16   Module 1: Youth led policy advocacy

23   Module 2: Dispute Resolution and Negotiation

32   Module 3: Inclusive Leadership Models

39   Section B – Youth in Action: Lead and Resolve

39   Module 4: Digital Leadership Skills

46   Module 5: Design Thinking and solution building

53   Module 6: Emotional Intelligence

57   Ref/Source list

See more at: 

Excellencies Honourable Ministers of Information and Communication and Heads of Delegations of AU Member States here present

Excellencies Ambassadors of AU Member States accredited to the People’s Republic of China

His Excellency Sima Hong, Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipal People’s Government

Representatives of African and Chinese Media Houses

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning

It is both a distinct pleasure and a profound honour for me to address this distinguished gathering on behalf of His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, whose warm greetings and highest regards I have the honour to convey to the Government and People of the People's Republic of China, and to all AU Member States attending this important Forum.

Allow me, at the outset, to express the deep appreciation of the African Union Commission for the steadfast commitment of the Government of China to the advancement of Africa-China relations. Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Xi Jinping, China and Africa have continued to elevate their partnership to unprecedented heights, transforming a relationship forged in solidarity and mutual support into one of the most consequential strategic partnerships of the twenty-first century.

We commend President Xi for advancing multilateral cooperation through his Four Global Initiatives on Development, Security, Civilization and Governance. The African Union welcomes these Four Initiatives as they align with Africa’s transformative agenda, and reinforce multilateralism by expanding the voice of the Global South in international decision-making.

1. The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) and the Pan-African Parliament (PAP) held their 2^nd Joint Consultative Meeting on 19 August 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the AU Headquarters, under the theme: “Leveraging Parliamentary Diplomacy to Promote Peace and Security in Africa”. The Joint Consultative Meeting was co-chaired by H.E. Amb. Dr. Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for August 2026 and H.E. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, President of the PAP.

At the invitation of the Government of the Republic of Zambia, the African Union Commission (AUC), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), , deployed a joint African Union and COMESA Election Observation Mission (AU-COMESA EOM) to observe the 13 August 2026 General Election of the Republic of Zambia.

The AU-COMESA EOM is led by H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, former Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and deputised by H.E. Ambassador Marie-Pierre Lloyd, a member of the COMESA Committee of Elders from Seychelles. The AU and COMESA Preventive Diplomacy Team, led by Hon. Justice Effie Owour, a member of the AU Panel of the Wise, supported the Mission.

The Mission comprised 93 Short-Term Observers (STOs), 52% of whom were women. The observers were drawn from 27 African countries.¹ They included election management body officials, representatives of civil society organisations, election experts, governance and human rights practitioners, youth representatives, legal professionals, diplomats, media experts and gender specialists.

The Mission was deployed in accordance with the relevant African Union instruments governing democratic elections, including the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), the AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections in Africa, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), and the African Union Guidelines for Election Observation Missions.

Prior to the deployment of the STO Mission, the AU and COMESA deployed a Pre-Election Assessment Mission (PAM) to Zambia from 4th to 8th May 2026 to assess the state of preparedness for the elections and the broader political, legal and security environment.

Since arriving, the AU – COMESA EOM has engaged with a range of Zambian stakeholders, including the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ), government officials, political parties, civil society organisations, faith-based organisations, citizen observer networks, development partners, the diplomatic community, and other relevant actors. Through these consultations, the Mission gathered diverse perspectives on the level of preparations, strengthened collaboration and built momentum for a credible process.

The Mission also reviewed the legal framework governing the elections and assessed the political, electoral and security environment in the lead-up to the polls.

Prior to election day, the Mission deployed 33 observer teams across 8 provinces of Zambia, namely Central, Copperbelt, Eastern, Lusaka, Muchinga, North–Western, Southern, and Western. The Mission observed voting procedures in 740 polling stations across 226 constituencies, covering urban and rural areas. Mission observers assessed the final campaign period, opening of polling stations, voting, and closing and counting procedures to assess compliance with national laws and regional and international standards.

This Preliminary Statement is based on the overall assessment of the pre-election period, election day, the close of polls, and the early stages of results tabulation. Recognising that the electoral process is still ongoing, this statement does not constitute the overall or final assessment of the electoral process. The Mission will continue to observe the immediate post-election environment, including the results management process and the resolution of electoral disputes, if any. To further strengthen future electoral processes in Zambia, the Mission will publish its final report, outlining detailed findings, recommendations, and lessons learned.

Recalling Articles 3 and 4 of the Constitutive Act of the African Union, which emphasize the promotion of democratic principles, popular participation, good governance, human and peoples’ rights, and sustainable peace; and also recalling Articles 3(f) and 7(m) of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council, which mandate the PSC to support democratic practices, good governance, the rule of law, and conflict prevention;

Further recalling Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.304 (XV)] adopted by the 15^th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held on 27 July 2010, which provided the mandate  for the establishment of a Pan African Architecture on Governance, which was subsequently established as the African Governance Architecture (AGA), as a platform for dialogue between and among stakeholders; and all its previous decisions on the joint engagement with the PRC Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance (HRDG), and the African Governance Architecture–African Peace and Security Architecture (AGA-APSA) Platform; as well as Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1295 (2025)] adopted by Council at its 1295^th meeting held on 8 August 2025; and Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1095 (2022)] and [PSC/PR/COMM.1098 (2022)], which institutionalized the annual engagement between the PSC, the PRC Sub-Committee on HRDG, and the AGA-APSA Platform;

Recognizing that governance deficits, democratic backsliding, violations of human rights, and weaknesses in constitutional order remain some of the underlying fundamental and structural root causes, drivers and factors that give rise to violent conflict and instability on the continent;

Acknowledging that democratic governance, human rights, peace, and security are mutually reinforcing and require coordinated, integrated, and preventive approaches;

Also acknowledging the importance of strengthening synergies among AU Organs, Institutions, Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), and other stakeholders in advancing the AU governance, peace, security and development agenda;

Mindful of the strategic importance of the African Union’s 2028 Theme of the Year, “Promoting Human Rights, Democracy and Governance to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063 in Africa,” as an opportunity to accelerate collective efforts towards strengthening democratic governance and sustainable peace;

Taking note  of the opening remarks by H.E. Dr. Ambassador Mohamed Khaled, Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU (AU) and Chairperson of the PSC for the month of August 2026, the introductory Statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; as well as the statements by H.E. Ambassador Willy Nyamitwe, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi and the First Vice Chairperson of the PRC Sub-Committee on Human Rights, Democracy and Governance (HRDG) and by H.E. Ambassador Jevin Pillay, Vice Chairperson of the AGA-APSA Platform and Permanent Representative of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) to the AU; and

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

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1360^th meeting held on 12 August 2026 on the Presentation of the Outcome of the 34^th Meeting of the Military Staff Committee held on 6 August 2026 on the Implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on the African Standby Force (ASF).

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling all Assembly decisions on the African Standby Force, in particular, Decision [Assembly/AU/Dec.978 (XXXIX)] adopted by the Assembly of the Union at its 39^th Ordinary Session held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 14 to 15 February 2026, through which the Assembly directed the Commission to expedite the signing and operationalisation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the African Union (AU) and the Regional Economic Communities and the Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) on the Use of the African Standby Force and to report regularly on the status of its implementation;

Also recalling all its decisions and pronouncements on the African Standby Force, in particular, Communiqués: [PSC/PR/COMM.1346.1 (2026)] adopted at its 1346^th meeting held on 15 May 2026 and [PSC/PR/COMM.1257 (2025)] adopted at its 1257^th meeting held on 30 January 2025;

Taking note of the presentation by Colonel Bekkar Soltane, Defence Attaché of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria as Chairperson of the Military Staff Committee for the month of August 2026; and

It is a great pleasure to join you today at this gathering of the Youth Creative Consortium 2.0, held within the framework of the 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security and Women, Peace and Security.

WE, the Youth Creative Consortium (YCC) and Participants from across the African Continent, having convened YCC 2.0 as Session One of the official side events of the 5th Annual Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and Women, Peace and Security (WPS), held in Bujumbura, Republic of Burundi, in partnership with the African Union Commission, and under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency, Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, Chairperson of the African Union and African Union Champion for Youth, Peace and Security;

? Excellency, First Lady of the Republic of Burundi;

? Excellency, Former President of the Republic of Burundi and Chair of the AU Panel of the Wise;

? Excellency, Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the month of August 2026;

? Excellency, AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security;

? Excellency, UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region and Representative of the UN Secretary General;

? Distinguished Co-Chairs of the FemWise-Africa and Women Leaders here present;

? Esteemed members of the WiseYouth Network;

? Distinguished African Youth Ambassadors for Peace;

? Representatives of Development Partners;

? Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

On behalf of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, it is my distinct honor to participate at this 5th Continental Dialogue on Youth, Peace and Security and Women, Peace and Security. I wish to express profound appreciation to His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye, for your leadership as Chair of the African Union, and the AU Champion on Youth, Peace and Security. I thank the Government and good people of Burundi for the continued commitment to hosting this important continental platform consistently over the past five years.

ON THE OCCASION OF THE COMMEMORATION OF THE AFRICA DAY OF DECENTRALISATION AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT

UNDER THE THEME:
“Empowered Local Governments for Sustainable Water and Sanitation: Advancing Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Territories towards Agenda 2063”

10 AUGUST 2026

Fellow Africans,
As we commemorate the Africa Day of Decentralization and Local Development, on behalf of His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, I convey warm greetings to all Africans, local government leaders, public servants and communities whose daily efforts practically contribute to democratic governance and inclusive development.

Given that 10 August of every year is dedicated to the Commemoration of the Africa Day of Decentralization and local governance development as enshrine in Article 20 of the African Charter on the Values and Principles of Decentralization, Local Governance and Local Development, this Day affirms a simple truth that the Africa We Want must be built to advance the lives and wellbeing of our people.

This year’s theme is especially timely as It aligns with the 2026 AU Theme of the Year, titled “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” and with the Africa Water Vision 2063, an AU Policy endorsed by our Heads of State and Government.

Day One:

Dialogue with His Excellency President Évariste Ndayishimiye on the state of play of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda and the Women, Peace and Security Programme

Intervention and Remarks By

Lady Justice Rtd Effie Luhombo Owuor Co-Chair, FemWise-Africa Network

10 August 2026 Bujumbura, Burundi

1. Your Excellency, President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Chair of the African Union and AU Champion for Youth, Peace and Security, Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, Allow me to stand on existing protocol,

Speaking on behalf of H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ms. Jocelyne Nahimana underscored that the workshop marked an important milestone in the AU–UNODA partnership. She noted that it provided a valuable platform for Member States and partners to exchange experiences, identify good practices and develop practical approaches to strengthening national and regional capacities for the implementation of Resolution 1540.

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1356^th meeting held on 27 July 2026, on Update on the Political Transition in the Republic of Burkina Faso and Republic of Niger;

The Peace and Security Council,

Referring to its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in Burkina Faso and Niger, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1/1062 (2022)] adopted at its 1062^nd meeting held on 31 January 2022; Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1168 (2023)] adopted at its 1168^th meeting held on 14 August 2023;

Recalling Communiqué [PSC/MIN/COMM.1304 (2025)] adopted at its 1304^th meeting held at Ministerial level on 30 September 2025; Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1212 (2024)] adopted at its 1212^nd meeting held on 20 May 2024; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1180.1 (2023)] and [PSC/PR/COMM.1180.2 (2023)] adopted at its 1180^th meeting held on 23 October 2023; as well as the Informal Consultation of Council with AU Member States in political transition, held in February 2026;

Also recalling  the provisions of all relevant AU normative instruments, including the AU Constitutive Act; the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union; the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; and the Declaration on the Framework for an OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 36^th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Lomé, Togo, July 2000 (the Lomé Declaration); as well as Declaration [Ext/Assembly/AU/Decl.(XVI)] on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government adopted by the 16^th Extraordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held from 27 to 28 May 2022, in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea;

Reiterating the AU Zero Tolerance Policy on any forms of unconstitutional changes of government in line with Article 4 (p) of the AU Constitutive Act;

Reaffirming the AU solidarity with the people of Burkina Faso and Niger in their relentless quest to restore democratic rule, peace, security and stability in their countries; and also reaffirming the AU unwavering commitment to respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the two sisterly countries;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the AU and PSC Chairperson for July 2026; and the Introductory Statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, of the AU Commission; as well as the briefing by H.E. Dr. Mamadou Tangara, the High Representative/ Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for Mali and Sahel and Head of AU Mission in Sahel (MISAHEL); and