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

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

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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.

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:

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;

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.

? 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

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), at its 1356^th meeting held on 27 July 2026, on Consideration of the Outcome of the 2^nd Meeting of the PSC Sub-Committee on Sanctions that was held on 15 July 2026 on “Engagement on Political and Socio-Economic Developments on Preventive Measures against Unconstitutional Changes of Government”;

The installation of floating boundary buoys on Lake Kariba marks the first operational demarcation of an international boundary on a lake in Africa, representing a historic milestone in the implementation of the African Union Border Programme and a significant contribution to peaceful border governance on the continent.

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1355^th meeting held on Wednesday, 22 July 2026 on Consideration of the Report of the African Union Commission Chairperson on Elections in Africa for the period January to June 2026.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG); the OAU/AU Declaration on the Principles Governing Democratic Elections and the Guidelines for AU Electoral Observation and Monitoring Missions;

Referring to the AU Constitutive Act and Article 3 (f) of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the PSC; as well as all previous decisions and pronouncements on elections in Africa, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1327 (2026)] adopted at its 1327^th meeting held on 26 January 2026;

Emphasizing the importance of regular, transparent, inclusive, and credible democratic elections in the promotion and maintenance of peace, security and stability in Member States; 

Reiterating the AU Zero tolerance policy on unconstitutional changes of government;

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 Presentation by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, of the Report of the Chairperson of the AU Commission on Elections in Africa for the period January to June 2026;

Also taking note of the statements delivered by the representatives of the Member States that organized elections or referenda during the reporting period, namely: the Republic of Benin, the Republic of Cape Verde, the Republic of Congo; the Republic of Djibouti, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia; and the Republic of Uganda; and

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1354^th meeting held at Ministerial Level on 21 July 2026 on Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Africa.

The Peace and Security Council,

 Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on preventing and combating terrorism and violent extremism in Africa, particularly Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1297.2 (2025)] adopted at its 1297^th Meeting, held on 15 August 2025; Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1266 (2025)] adopted at its 1266^th meeting held on 19 March 2025; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1237 (2024)] adopted at its 1237^th meeting held on 23 October 2024;

Noting the opening remarks by Honourable Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda and Chairperson of the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) for July 2026; the briefing by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and the Statement by the Representative of the United Nations (UN); and

Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1352nd meeting held on Thursday, 25 June 2026 on Update on the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalls all previous decisions and pronouncements of Council on the AU Compliance and Accountability Framework, in particular, Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCLXXV)] adopted at its 775^th meeting held on 22 May 2018 on the Principles on Protection of Civilians in Conflict Areas in Africa; and Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCLXXXIX)] adopted at its 689^th meeting held on 30 May 2017 on the AU Peace Fund and the Partnership Between the AU  and the United Nations (UN) with Respect to Predictable Financing of AU Peace and Security Activities;

Takes note of the Opening Remarks of H.E. Ambassador Nasir Aminu, Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the AU as the Stand-In Chairperson of the PSC for June 2026 and the Update by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security;

Also takes note of the Statements by the Representatives of the UN and the European Union (EU); and

The commemoration brought together representatives of the Governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe, the African Union Commission, Regional Economic Communities, international organizations, development partners, border management authorities, technical experts, traditional leaders, local authorities and border communities. The event provided a platform to strengthen dialogue on peaceful border governance, sustainable management of transboundary water resources, effective border delimitation and demarcation, and enhanced cross-border cooperation in support of regional integration and sustainable development.

Honourable Kwami Edem Senanu, Chairperson of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption, and distinguished Members of the Board;

Professor Francis Doodo, Presidential Advisor on the National Anti-Corruption Programme

Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Chair of the Board, and Professor Henry Kwasi Prempeh, Executive Director, of the Ghana Center for Democratic Development;

The leadership of Transparency International, the Open Society Foundations, and the Community of Practice on Money in Politics in Africa;

Distinguished Chairpersons and Commissioners of electoral management bodies and anti-corruption agencies from across our continent;

Leaders of political parties, civil society organisations, academia, faith communities, the private sector and the media;

Development partners and friends of Africa;

Distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen:

The discussions, held between H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security and H.E. Dr. Géza Andreas von Geyr, State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office, reaffirmed the shared commitment of the AU and Germany to strengthening multilateralism, advancing African-led solutions to peace and security challenges, and promoting sustainable peace, stability and prosperity. Commissioner Adeoye expressed appreciation for Germany's continued political and technical support to the AU across a broad range of initiatives, including border governance, mediation and preventive diplomacy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and institutional capacity-building. State Secretary von Geyr recalled the German support for an adequate representation of African voices in international fora, including the UN Security Council.