Egypt assumes presidency of African Union Peace and Security Council

Egypt has today assumed the presidency of the African Union’s (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the month of October, as announced by Mohamed Gad, Egypt’s ambassador to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the AU. The presidency comes at a critical time, with rising security challenges across the continent.

During its presidency, Egypt aims to strengthen the role of the PSC in addressing these issues. “Egypt’s upcoming presidency comes within a complex regional and international context marked by growing security challenges, requiring concerted efforts and transparent consultation,” said Gad. The goals align with the AU’s Agenda 2063, which focuses on promoting peace, security and sustainable development.

Egypt will assume the Presidency of the African Peace and Security Council on Oct. 1, 2024 for a month.
For more details 👇https://t.co/t2fBQewWkN pic.twitter.com/JZb5Jf42Oz

— State Info. Service (@SISEGY) September 30, 2024

A key part of Egypt’s agenda will include organising events and consultations. This will start with a PSC visit to Cairo, where an interactive session with Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs will be held. Further consultations are planned with the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, as well as discussions on the links between peace, security and development.

Egypt’s presidency will also feature the PSC’s first visit to Port Sudan since the outbreak of the Sudan crisis in April 2023. Cairo’s assumption of the presidency comes at a time when the North African country has enhanced its defence ties with East African state Somalia.

Other focus areas will include consultations with the UN on peacebuilding, financing African peace operations, combating terrorism and addressing the impact of climate change on security. Egypt was elected unanimously to the PSC for a two-year term in February 2024, representing the North Africa region.

The PSC is composed of 15 non-permanent members elected by the AU Executive Council, with ten members serving two-year terms and five serving five-year terms.

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