AUC Chairperson congratulates Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being proclaimed winner of Nigerian presidential polls

3 March 2023 | The AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat issued a statement  congratulating Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All-Progressives Congress party, for being proclaimed winner of the presidential elections held on 25 February, 2023 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following the announcement of the official election results by the Independent Electoral Commission. The Chairperson further congratulates the people of Nigeria for demonstrating resilience in their commitment to democratic values by casting their votes for the leaders of their choice. Read the full statement here. 

AUPSC holds its 1143rd meeting on the situation in Somalia and ATMIS operations

On 7 March, the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) held its 1143rd meeting regarding the situation in Somalia and operations of the African Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS). The session received statements by the Permanent Representative of Tanzania and Chair of the AUPSC for March, Ambassador Innocent Shiyo; the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS), Bankole Adeoye; as well as by Representatives of Somalia, IGAD, and the European Union (EU). The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) to the AU and Head of UNOAU also addressed the session.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Innocent Shiyo paid tribute to ATMIS and the Somali Security Forces in combating the ongoing security threat posed by Al Shabaab.  While noting the progress made in the fight against the group, he also expressed concerns over the situation in Las Anod, calling for a peaceful resolution to the fighting. Commissioner Bankole, in his statement, highlighted the dire financial status of ATMIS, noting that the ‘AU alone can no longer absorb the financial shortfalls’. He furthermore indicated that ATMIS may consider proceeding with the drawdown of 2,000 troops, previously envisaged for the end of June, according to an earlier 1 April timeframe if the financial gap is not resolved. The SRSG UNOAU in his address to the AUPSC, inter alia, drew attention to the progress made and the challenges that persist in Somalia, including the dire humanitarian situation, and called for continued solidarity with Somalia in its peacebuilding and state building efforts. Read full communique here.

AUPSC issues Press Release on its field mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo

20 March 2023 | The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) issued a Press Release on its field mission to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from 20 to 23 March. The mission took place under the auspices of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Burundi to the AU, Ambassador Willy Nyamitwe, acting for the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Tanzania to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for March, Ambassador Innocent Shiyo. The aim of the field mission was for the AUPSC to obtain first-hand information regarding the situation in the DRC, with a particular focus on the developments in the eastern part of the country, to better inform its decisions on the required steps and interventions to support the Government and people of the DRC to address peace and security challenges more effectively. The PSC engaged various stakeholders in Kinshasa and Goma, including the Government of the DRC, at the National and Provincial Levels, African Diplomatic Corps represented in the Country, the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) and the East African Community (EAC) Regional Force, Civil Society Organisations, Internally Displaced Persons and the International Community. Read more here.

AUC Chairperson issues statement calling for calm in Kenya amidst public protests

27 March 2023 | The AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, issued a statement expressing deep concern about the violence following public protests in Kenya and urging all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation. In this regard, the Chairperson recalled the successful conduct of General Elections in August 2022 in Kenya and the subsequent unanimous confirmation of the election outcome by the Supreme Court. The Chairperson further reiterated the total solidarity with and support to the Government and the People of Kenya's efforts working towards national unity, peace and stability in the country. Read full press statement here.