The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) dedicated its 1226th meeting on 6 August 2024, to an Open Session on the theme: “Constitutionalism, Democracy and Governance”.

Council recalled its previous decisions and43 pronouncements, relating to constitutionalism, governance and democracy in Africa, particularly, Communiques [PSC/PR/COMM.1167 (2023)] adopted at its 1167th meeting held on 11 August 2023, on the topic: “Experience Sharing between the PSC and the African Governance Architecture”; and [PSC/PR/COMM.1061 (2022)] Adopted at its 1061st meeting held on 27 January 2022, which was an Open Session on “Promoting Constitutionalism, Democracy and Inclusive Governance to Strengthen Peace, Security and Stability in Africa”; as well as Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR.(CDXXXII)] adopted at its 432nd meeting, held on 29 April 2014, in which Council reiterated its total rejection of unconstitutional changes of government; the Conclusions of the Council’s Retreat held in Ezulwini, Swaziland, from 17 to 19 December 2009 and the Conclusions of the 8th High-Level Seminar on Peace and Security in Africa, held in Oran, Algeria from 2 to 4 December 2021.

Council also recalled relevant OAU/AU instruments on unconstitutional changes of government; in particular the Malabo Decision adopted by the 16th Extraordinary Summit on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Changes of Government held in Malabo Equatorial Guinea on 28 May 2022; Decision [AHG/Dec.141 (XXXV)] and [AHG/Dec.142 (XXXV)], adopted by the 35th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Algiers, Algeria, from 12 to 14 July 1999; Declaration [Assembly/ AU/Decl.1 (XVI)] adopted by the 16th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa in January 2011 on the theme: “Towards Greater Unity and Integration through Shared Values”, and the Declaration on the Framework for the OAU Response to Unconstitutional Changes of Government, adopted by the 36th Ordinary Session of the OAU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Lomé, Togo, from 10 to 12 July 2000 referred as “the Lomé Declaration’’.

Council further recalled the AU Constitutive Act; the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union; the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance; the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and other relevant AU human rights instruments.

Council took note of the opening statement by H.E. Ambassador Tebelelo Alfred Boang, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Botswana to the African Union, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of August 2024; the Introductory remarks by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; and the presentation by Professor Mpho Molomo, the statements by the representatives of Member States and Regional Economic Communities (RECs/RMs) and the United Nations.

Council acknowledged that domestically rooted constitutionalism, democracy and good governance constitute some of the key ingredients of success factors for building resilient, strong, peaceful, secure, stable and prosperous societies. In this regard, Council underscored the importance of promoting the nexus between Democracy, Human Rights and Development.

Council congratulated all Member States that continue to demonstrably uphold constitutionalism, deepening and consolidating democracy, and promoting good governance, including by respecting and adhering to the AU shared values, respecting human rights, rule of law, upholding the principle of separation of powers and organizing transparent, free, fair and credible democratic elections, as well as promoting predictably peaceful and smooth transfer of power following the election of new leaders.

Council encouraged all Member States to ensure that constitutionalism, democracy and governance, is responsive to the legitimate needs and aspirations of their people, as well as to invest more in creating conducive conditions for promoting inclusive societies and meaningful participation of women and the youth in all national processes.

Council reiterated its deep concern over the threats that continue to face constitutionalism and democracy in Africa, including the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government through military coup d’etats, terrorism and violent extremism, as well as external interferences, which are collectively undermining the collective quest to silence the Guns in Africa by 2030 and to realize the aspirations of the AU Agenda 2063.

Council reiterated its call for the AU Commission to expedite the finalisation of its assessment of the structural root causes/drivers and impact of Unconstitutional Changes in Governments in Africa and submit to Council by December 2024.

Council expressed deep concern over the stalled and seemingly complex political transitions in Member States that have experienced unconstitutional changes of government and encouraged the transitional authorities in those Member States to expedite the process of restoration of constitutional order.

Council underlined the need for Member States to holistically address the underlying causes and drivers of instability and factors that sustain unconstitutional changes of government in the Continent, particularly governance deficits; and the need to build strong, resilient, independent and professional government institutions.

Council called upon Member States to endeavor to put in place socio-economic empowerment programs as one of the ways of addressing some of the root causes and drivers associated with youth participation in violence and ushering them into the money economy to re-orient them away from the politics of identity to the politics of interests.

Council condemned all forms of external interference in the internal affairs of Member States with the complicity of certain Member States, particularly in governance.

Council underlined the critical importance of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and encouraged Member States to continue to work with the Mechanism towards further strengthening their constitutionalism, democracy and good governance, and in this context, underscored the importance of enhancing the capacity of APRM to continue supporting Member States in the promotion of democracy and good governance with a view to preventing governance-related crises.

Council reiterated the request for the AU Commission to undertake an in-depth analysis of the 2000 Lomé Declaration on unconstitutional changes of government and the AGA, with a view to ensure that these frameworks and instruments respond appropriately to the contemporary challenges facing the Continent and submit to the PSC for consideration, as soon as possible.

Council stressed the need for the RECs/RMs to continue to encourage their Members to respect and adhere to the principles of constitutionalism, democracy and good governance.

Council further reiterated the call to all AU Member States to enhance their efforts to deepen the culture of respect for human rights, democracy, accountability, inclusivity, rule of law, reconciliation, good governance, equitable distribution of resources among the people and the fight against corruption in order to foster peace, security and stability on the Continent.

Council requested the AU Commission to expedite the implementation of the Malabo Decision adopted by the 16th Extraordinary Summit of May 2023. To this end, Council welcomed the Inaugural Meeting of the PSC Sub-Committee on Sanctions and underscored the importance of its reactivation and to effectively support our Council in following up on the implementation of AU sanctions imposed in response to UCGs.

Council stressed the need for further strengthening the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA).

Council underlined the critical role that can be played by civil society and the media in the promotion of constitutionalism, democracy and good governance on the continent, and reiterated the need for the CSOs to complement and support the initiatives of their respective countries in accordance with their respective national legislations.

Council emphasized the need to increase the frequency of the Open Sessions on constitutionalism, democracy, and governance.

Council agreed to remain actively seized of the matter.

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