The African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) concluded its Twenty-Sixth Ordinary Session at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, following two weeks of deliberations on key legal, institutional and policy issues relevant to the African continent and the development of international law.

Held from 11 to 22 May 2026, the Session brought together members of the Commission, representatives of the AU, AU Organs, Member States and strategic partners to review the work of the Commission, consider ongoing studies and discuss emerging legal challenges affecting Africa and the international community.

The opening ceremony featured remarks by the representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (Amb. Souef Mohamed El-Amine), the Legal Counsel of the AU (Prof. Hajer Gueldich), the Chairperson of AUCIL (Prof. Kevin Ferdinand Ndjimba) and the representative of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (Mr. Nurilign Idris). The opening discussions highlighted the importance of strengthening Africa’s contribution to the development and interpretation of international law, while reaffirming the role of AUCIL as the AU’s independent advisory organ on legal matters. Throughout the Session, the Commission considered several institutional matters relating to the functioning and future direction of AUCIL, including the revision of its Rules of Procedure, review of its Strategic Plan, working methods, budgetary constraints and the implementation of decisions adopted during previous sessions. Discussions also focused on strengthening the visibility of African legal scholarship and improving the effectiveness and institutional positioning of the Commission within the AU system.

A significant portion of the Session was dedicated to the consideration of ongoing studies undertaken by members of the Commission on issues of continental and international relevance. The Commission examined studies relating to immunities under international law, African State practice in international law, environmental law, maritime piracy, mineral and petroleum law in Africa, implementation of the AU Strategy on Pandemics, unconstitutional changes of government and the domestication of African human rights instruments. The Commission also considered studies addressing historical injustices and reparatory justice, including work relating to the legal implications of slavery, deportation and colonization, as well as discussions concerning the classification of certain acts committed during colonization as crimes under international law. The deliberations reflected growing continental and international discussions on historical accountability, memory, reparatory justice and the place of Africa within the evolution of international legal norms.

The Session also reflected on broader transformations affecting the international legal order, including pressures on multilateral institutions, fragmentation in the application of international law and emerging legal questions associated with technology, migration and cyberspace. In this context, Members emphasized the importance of ensuring that African legal perspectives continue to inform international legal debates and global governance processes.

Notes to editor:

The African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL) was established in 2009 as an independent advisory organ of the African Union pursuant to Article 5(2) of the Constitutive Act of the African Union. Its mandate includes advising the Union on matters of international law, undertaking activities relating to the codification and progressive development of international law in Africa, promoting the teaching, study and dissemination of international law, and supporting the development of AU law and African legal positions on emerging international issues.

For more information, please contact:

1.  Mr. Olatoundji Francis Adanlao | Legal Officer | Office of the Legal Counsel | Email: adanlaoo@africaunion.org
2. Ms. Meseret Fassil Assefa | Associate Legal Officer|Office of the Legal Counsel |Email: Meseretf@africaunion.org  

For media inquiries and interviews please contact:

Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org

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