What:

H.E. Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of the Republic of The Gambia to the African Union (AU) and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the AU in April 2024, and Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security, will engage with media representatives based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the occasion of the launch of the 20^th Anniversary Commemoration of the PSC and Flag Ceremony for elected and re-elected Council Members.

The question-and-answer session will focus on the achievements of the PSC for the past 20 years and its prospects in the coming years.

A flag ceremony open to the media will also be held for elected and re-elected members of the Council.

The PSC will commemorate the 20^th Anniversary of its establishment, to reflect on its achievements, challenges faced, and prospects in promoting peace, security and stability in Africa. The celebration will recognize and showcase the PSC's accomplishments over the past twenty years in the peace and security landscape on the continent, reinforcing its role as a vital organ within the AU. Specifically, Council members will reflect on the achievements and challenges of the PSC in discharging its mandate, raise awareness on the importance of peace, security, and stability on the African continent and underscore the PSC’s contributions to sustainable peace in Africa. Additionally, this anniversary will provide an opportunity to foster dialogue, exchange experiences and stimulate innovative ideas for addressing emerging security threats and challenges in Africa.

 When:

At 8:30 am (EAT) to 11:00 am, Wednesday 3^rd April 2024.

Where:

Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Political Affairs, Peace and Security Building, AU Headquarters, Addis Ababa.

Who:

National and international journalists, news editors, bloggers, and media representatives in Addis Ababa are invited to participate in the joint press conference.

Why:

The PSC became operational in early 2004, following the adoption of the Protocol relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the AU in July 2002, in Durban, South Africa and entered into force in December 2003. The Council started its activities on 16 March 2004 and held its official launch on 25 May 2004, which is also African Union Day.

The PSC replaced the Organization of African Unity's (OAU) Central Organ for Conflict Prevention and Management, and it was designed to be a more robust and proactive mechanism for addressing the continent's peace and security challenges. The PSC's establishment marked a significant step in Africa's efforts to enhance its capacity for conflict prevention, management, and resolution.

The PSC has 15 members with equal voting powers. All members are elected by the AU Executive Council and endorsed by the AU Assembly during its ordinary sessions. For continuity, five members are elected for three-year terms and 10 for two-year terms. While there are no permanent members, the PSC Protocol does not prevent any Member States from seeking immediate re-election.

On 25 May 2014, at its 437^th meeting the PSC commemorated its 10^th anniversary. The council stressed the need to enhance its use of all available preventive diplomacy tools with the objective of anticipating crises and preventing them from escalating into full-blown conflict. It also emphasized the importance of strengthening the linkages between early warning and early response, which requires that the relevant AU policy organs operate with urgency and act effectively, in concert, on the information provided to them on potential crises and conflicts. 

Furthermore, on 25 June 2014, at its 444^th meeting, the PSC celebrated its 10^th anniversary at the Heads of State and Government level, adopting a Declaration which, among others, emphasized the need for enhanced cooperation with other stakeholders in conflict prevention, management, and resolution and called for greater coordination and consultation between the Council and regional economic communities and mechanisms  (RECs/RMs) on their interventions in conflict and crisis situations in Africa.

This event will therefore raise awareness ahead of the 25 May 2024 20^th anniversary celebration of the establishment of the PSC.

The press conference will be conducted in the English language.