Rabat – Morocco starts today taking over the presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC-AU) decision-making body during the current month of March.
Morocco’s fourth presidency of the PSC-AU reflects the North African country’s commitment to the continent’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
Morocco has previously led the presidency of this pan-African decision-making organ in February 2024, October 2022, and September 2019.
Morocco’s vision embodies a common African action that sets Africa’s noble questions and the continent’s citizens’ vital interests at the heart of the pan-African agenda.
The country’s appointment comes at a critical time when Africa faces increasing security challenges, exacerbated by drought, epidemics, and the proliferation of violent extremism.
These issues demand innovative and comprehensive responses within the framework of the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus approach, endorsed by the Tangier Declaration that African Union heads of state and government adopted in February 2023.
Morocco’s presidency over PSC will have several important and pivotal issues on its agenda. These include “Climate change: challenges for peace and security in Africa,” “Deradicalization as a lever in the fight against violent extremism in Africa,” and “Women, peace and security in Africa.”
The PSC will also lead informal talks with Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Sudan to speed up the return of these countries to the pan-African institution.
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A key of Morocco’s chairing this African body is a ministerial meeting on “Artificial Intelligence and its impact on peace, security, and governance in Africa,” which is included for the first time in the PSC at the country’s initiative.
This is Morocco’s third presidency of the AU’s decision-making body during its second three-year term (2022-2025), following October 2022 and February 2024.
In February 2024, Morocco’s PSC presidency worked on themes that targeted strengthening dialogue and cooperation in Africa, promoting a multi-dimensional approach to peacekeeping, enhancing continental and international cooperation, as well as addressing humanitarian issues. Morocco also worked on sharing its expertise in different fields with African fellow countries of the organization.
Morocco also presided over the PSC in September 2019, during its first term (2018-2020).
The country has consistently reinforced its position as an African leader committed to peace, security, and sustainable development, emphasizing the principles of dialogue, good neighborliness, and preventive diplomacy.
During all three previous appointments, the North African country has also aligned its diplomacy with respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, combining diplomatic wisdom with innovation to contribute to a more stable and prosperous future for Africa.
