The African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) and the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) are set to reconvene for their 2nd Joint Consultative Meeting at the Ambassadorial level in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The strategic gathering underscores a renewed commitment to consolidating peace, good governance, and regional security across West Africa and the broader continent.
This high-level dialogue builds upon the inaugural session held on 24th April 2024 at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria. The Addis Ababa meeting will focus on evaluating the implementation of previously agreed outcomes, identifying lessons learned, and enhancing institutional synergy moving forward.
The overarching objective is to deepen the strategic collaboration between the two institutions in addressing the multifaceted challenges confronting peace and security in Africa. The meeting comes at a time when the continent faces complex threats, ranging from political instability and unconstitutional changes in government to terrorism and violent extremism in the Sahel and coastal West Africa.
In this context, both ECOWAS and the AU will use the Addis Ababa forum to reaffirm their joint dedication to “democratic governance, constitutionalism, and sustainable peace and security.” The sessions will be held in alignment with the African Union’s Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture (EPSA), both of which form the institutional frameworks guiding peacebuilding across Africa.
Joint Talks Tackle Governance And Peace
One of the major items on the agenda will be a reflective stocktaking of ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary. Delegates will examine the organization’s milestones, ongoing challenges, and future direction with a particular focus on peace, governance, and regional stability. The dialogue aims to create a roadmap that both recognizes past achievements and critically addresses emerging security gaps.
Another priority will be the formulation of joint strategies to combat terrorism and violent extremism, threats that have escalated in regions such as the Sahel. The collaboration between AU PSC and ECOWAS MSC is expected to provide more synchronized efforts in preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, and peace support operations.
Also on the table will be a review of how effectively the outcomes from the April 2024 meeting in Abuja have been implemented. This includes analyzing hurdles encountered and the practical lessons that can inform future policy decisions. The two councils are expected to agree on a joint communiqué that reaffirms their shared responsibility for addressing pressing governance and security issues across the continent.
Senior officials from key departments and directorates — including Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Early Warning, and Communication—will also be in attendance. Their participation ensures that the discussions are policy-driven and grounded in operational realities.
By bringing together representatives of both the AU PSC and ECOWAS MSC at the ambassadorial level, the meeting symbolizes a unified continental front in confronting Africa’s peace and security challenges. The collaboration signals an evolution from isolated institutional efforts to coordinated, region-wide action aimed at sustainable stability.
In an era where Africa’s security dynamics are increasingly interconnected, such consultative meetings are vital in fostering unity, responsiveness, and accountability among member states and their governing bodies. The outcomes from Addis Ababa are expected to influence regional strategies and policy frameworks well into the future.
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