The situation in the Sahel, Sudan and Somalia was the focus of the 12th Annual Consultative Meeting between the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union and the EU Political and Security Committee (PSC) on 26 October. This meeting in virtual format was co-chaired by Mr Osama Abdelkhalek, Permanent Representative of Egypt to the AU, who is chairing the PSC this October, and Sofie From-Emmesberger, Chairperson of the EU PSC.
Sahel. According to a joint communiqué, both sides expressed their deep concern over the increasingly deteriorating security situation. They condemned the attacks against the civilian population, the armed and security forces of the countries of the region and other regional and international forces.
They reaffirmed their commitment to support the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and stressed the need to make additional resources available to it. They also called on all stakeholders and the international community to provide the necessary resources for the G5 Sahel joint force.
The AU PSC and the PSC underscored the importance of the peaceful organisation of elections in Burkina Faso and Niger and welcomed the establishment of a civilian-led transition in Mali.
Sudan. Both parties reconfirmed their commitment to accompany the country on the path of political, economic and social reform. They welcomed the announcement of Sudan's removal from the United States list of state sponsors of terrorism and looked forward to the speedy implementation of that announcement.
Somalia. Europeans and Africans welcomed the agreement on the electoral model for the national elections of 2020/21 and the resumption of a dialogue between the federal government and the federated states. They encouraged both parties to accelerate the force generation processes to occupy and secure all areas liberated from al Shabaab by AMISOM.
To read the joint communiqué: https://bit.ly/35Gndiy (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)