AU-PSC Deliberates on the Future of Peace Operations Under Ethiopian Chairmanship

Addis Ababa, April 28, 2026 —Under the chairmanship of Ethiopia, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) convened on Monday (April 27) to deliberate on the future of Peace Support Operations (PSOs).

According to a social media post by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the deliberation focused on the future of PSOs in Africa.

The session assessed the measures that need to be taken in light of the evolving international order and the changing peace and security landscape across the continent.

In her remarks, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UN-ECA, commended the significant contributions that African PSOs have made over nearly three decades, noting their deployment across the continent, often under stringent financial and security conditions.

She called for regular and sustained discussions on the subject to ensure that PSOs remain effective instruments for peace and stability in Africa, complementing political processes.

The Council emphasized the importance of prioritizing preventive diplomacy and strengthening early-warning systems.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of key decisions expected to guide Africa’s Peace Support Operations in the coming decades.

Ethiopia has entered the final week of its chairmanship of the AU PSC.

During the remaining period, it will steer discussions on the joint retreat between the PSC and APRM, as well as consideration of the report on the PSC’s visit to South Sudan later this week.

The discussion was graced by El Ghassim Wane, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of MINUSMA, as well as Parfait Onanga Anyanga, Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union (UNOAU).