Egypt to Assume Chairmanship of the African Union Peace and Security Council Starting February 2026
The Arab Republic of Egypt will assume the chairmanship of the African Union Peace and Security Council starting February 1, 2026, for a one-month term, at a sensitive time marked by growing security, political, and development challenges facing the African continent, amid complex regional and international conditions requiring close coordination and cooperation among member states.
In a press statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Egyptian chairmanship aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Peace and Security Council as the primary body responsible for maintaining stability and establishing security across Africa, through a comprehensive approach focused on developing the continent’s peace, security, and governance architecture, contributing to conflict resolution, stability support, and the achievement of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 development goals.
The statement stressed that Egypt’s chairmanship will uphold the core principles enshrined in the AU Constitutive Act, foremost among them respect for state sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, protection of national institutions, non-interference in internal affairs, and strengthening multilateral action within the Union to support stability and development.
The Egyptian chairmanship period is expected to feature intensive activities addressing developments in Sudan and Somalia, including informal ministerial-level consultations with the foreign ministers of both countries, followed by two ministerial sessions to discuss the latest developments. The period will also include adoption of the annual report on the Peace and Security Council’s activities, to be presented by the Egyptian delegation participating in the AU Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The Egyptian program will also include sessions on climate, peace, and security issues, post-conflict reconstruction and development, the role of artificial intelligence in governance and peace and security, and consultations with specialized agencies on the nexus between food, peace, and security, as well as addressing political transition challenges in African countries.
The statement added that Egypt will also continue organizing field visits and intensifying coordination with various stakeholders to strengthen AU efforts in supporting stability, security, and sustainable development across the continent.
