The United Nations-African Union Joint Task Force on Peace and Security held its Twenty Seventh consultative meeting on 26 September 2026, in New York.
The meeting reviewed the status of the partnership between the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) including the implementation of the Joint UN-AU Framework for Enhanced Partnership in Peace and Security. In this context, the meeting discussed peace and security developments in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Horn of Africa, and progress in the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2719 adopted on 21 December 2023.
The AU Commission and the UN Secretariat were represented respectively by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye (Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security) and; the Under-Secretaries-General Rosemary DiCarlo (Political and Peacebuilding Affairs), Jean-Pierre Lacroix (Peace Operations), Atul Khare (Operational Support), as well as Parfait Onanga-Anyanga (Special Representative of the Secretary-General to the African Union) and Martin Kimani (Assistant Secretary-General for Africa for Political Affairs, Peacebuilding and Peace Operations). The meeting was also attended by other senior officials from the two organizations.
The Joint Task Force took note of the considerable progress achieved in the UN-AU partnership including with Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (REC/RMs) in Africa. These include sustained collaboration on support to AU-led peace support operations, early warning, prevention initiatives, and mediation processes, as well as for the promotion and protection of human rights.
The meeting welcomed efforts to deepen collaboration on operational support matters, including through joint learning and the exchange of knowledge and expertise. The meeting acknowledged the positive impact these efforts have had on mandate implementation across various operational contexts. In this regard, they welcomed the signing between the UN and the AU, on 21 September 2026, of the renewed Memorandum of Intent on Cooperation in Operational Support and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Knowledge and Expertise Exchange Programme (KEEP).
Both organizations emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration in mediation support and increase focus on their joint initiatives on the women, peace and security, and youth peace and security agendas, as well as promoting the protection of children in conflict situations.
On the Horn of Africa, both organizations expressed concern over recent security incidents and heightened tensions in northern Ethiopia. They reiterated their steadfast support for the renewed efforts of the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former President Obasanjo, to resume the direct talks and dialogue between the parties and the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. The organizations stressed the risk of miscalculations leading to further escalation and reiterated the urgency in upholding the cessation of hostilities. The Joint Task Force urged the parties to pursue dialogue in good faith to address outstanding issues and agreed to enhance coordination in support of de-escalation and regional stability.
On Somalia, the meeting reaffirmed its support for AUSSOM and underscored its indispensable role in safeguarding Somalia’s security and stability. The meeting acknowledged the critical role of UNSOS in providing logistical and operational support to AUSSOM. It stressed the importance of an orderly and structured security transition, including through sustained international support, to preserve the gains achieved over the past decade. The Joint Task Force underlined the importance of continued dialogue among Somali stakeholders to reach an inclusive agreement on the elections, while sustaining the work on national priorities.
With regard to the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the United Nations and the African Union commended the efforts deployed by the AU Mediator and facilitators under the auspices of the AU and welcomed international and regional efforts to advance the implementation of peace agreements brokered under the auspices of Qatar and the United States. They commended the African Union for steps it had taken to ensure better coordination and harmonization of these efforts. The meeting also emphasized the need for an effective and permanent ceasefire to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population and create the conditions humanitarian access and for a lasting peace, in accordance with various decisions of the United Nations Security Council and the African Union Peace and Security Council. The meeting welcomed the decision of Congolese authorities to convene a national dialogue and stressed the importance of ensuring that the process is inclusive.
The meeting expressed concern on the political, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan and called for a national consensus on the way forward towards elections. The JTF noted the progress made by South Sudan in preparation for the planned elections in December 2026 and underscored the critical role of H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea and the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5). The TJFunderscored the need for the Transitional Government to urgently fill the gaps in preparations for elections identified in the 1365th Communiqué of the AUPSC on South Sudan of 26 August 2026. The meeting affirmed that a level playing field for all participants in the upcoming elections is necessary for long term peace and stability in South Sudan. The Joint Task Force expressed grave concern on the humanitarian situation in the country and appealed to the Government and international partners to work together to alleviate the suffering of the people of South Sudan.
On the Sudan, the meeting expressed serious concern over the devastating humanitarian situation in the country and stressed that there can be no viable military solution to the current crisis and called the belligerents to stop pursuing military solutions, which can only result in more losses of lives and destruction of the country. The meeting rejected the establishment of any parralel government and reiterated its call on the warring parties for an immediate cessation of hostilities, prioritize inclusive Sudanese dialogue, which mainstreams the meaningful participation of women and youth, as the only viable path towards a consensual and durable solution to the current crisis and work towards the establishment of a civilian-led governance.
The Joint Task Force condemned external interferences and military and other supports that continue to fuel the conflict in Sudan and reaffirmed the critical partnership between the African Union and the United Nations on Sudan, notably in the context of the Quintet, which remains essential as we work collectively toward a swift and sustainable resolution to the conflict.
The meeting underscored that UN Security Council resolution 2719 (2023) remains an important framework for the predictable financing of AU–led peace support operations on a case-by-case basis. The Joint Task Force also highlighted the need to sustain engagements on the resolution with all relevant stakeholders to reinforce shared understanding and commitment.
The next statutory meeting of the Joint Task Force will be hosted by the AU Commission at a date to be mutually convened by both organizations.
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