Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1214th meeting (open session) held on 13 June 2024, on the theme: ‘Looking into the Future: Artificial Intelligence and its Impact on Peace and Security in Africa’, in the commemoration of 20th anniversary of the PSC.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1196 (2024)] on the Common African Position on the Application of International Law to the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in the Cyber Space, adopted at its 1196th PSC meeting held on 29 January 2024;

Also recalling Communiqué [PSC/PR/COMM.1097.1 (2022)] on Emerging Technologies and New Media: Impact on Democratic Governance, Peace and Security in Africa adopted at its 1097th meeting of the PSC held on 4 August 2022;

Further recalling the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention) adopted in 2014 and the UN General Assembly Resolution [A/78/L.49] on “Seizing the Opportunities of Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence Systems for Sustainable Development,” adopted on 21 March 2024;

Acknowledging the potential of Artificial Intelligence systems to revolutionize societies, as well as contribute towards the promotion of peace, security, stability, democracy and development in Africa, as well as in accelerating global development and the achievement of the aspirations of AU Agenda 2063 and the UN Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development Goals;

Taking note of the Opening Remarks of H.E. Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uganda to the AU and PSC Chairperson for the month of June 2024; the introductory statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, as well as the presentations by H.E. Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy; also taking note of the presentations by H.E. Ambassador Abdel Latif Ahmed, Director General of the Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA) and Co-Chair of NeTT4Peace; H.E. Mr. Bernardo Mariano Joaquim Junior, the Chief Information and Communications Technology Officer and Assistant Secretary-General for the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (UNOICT); H.E. Mr. Samson Itodo, from YIAGA Africa; and Dr. Kennedy Javuru, from Greater London Authority; as well as the statements by representatives of AU Member States and International Organizations; and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Commends the efforts of the AU Commission in exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in promoting peace, security, and development nexus in Africa, in implementing the decision of the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council, [EX.CL/Dec.1234(XLIV)] which endorsed the Conceptual framework and tasked the AU Commission to expedite the development of a Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy that is comprehensive, forward-looking, and action-oriented to effectively harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence potential to transform the continent in line with the goals of AU Agenda 2063, while managing associated risks and harm;

2. Underscores the importance of continuous dialogue and enhanced collaboration on the use of Artificial Intelligence between and among Member States, Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), the private sector and think tanks, as well as between the AU, the United Nations and other stakeholders, to ensure a harmonized approach towards harnessing Artificial Intelligence;

3. Appeals to Member States, that have not yet done so, to urgently sign, ratify and domesticate the AU Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (Malabo Convention);

4. Encourages all Member States to embrace public and private partnership approaches in the use of Artificial Intelligence and to actively engage in the development and implementation of national and regional Artificial Intelligence strategies that align with AU guidelines and principles; as well as to put in place regulatory and institutional frameworks on the responsible design, development and use of Artificial Intelligence, consistent with their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law;

5. Also encourages Member States and the AU Commission to advocate for equal access and utilization of Artificial Intelligence technology products and services by developing and leastdeveloped countries to bridge the technological, digital and development divides between the North and the South;

6. Urges Member States to ensure ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence technologies and to ensure that they are developed and deployed in adherence to international law and human rights norms to minimize harm and promote ethical use;

7. Instructs the Special Rapporteur on International Law and Cyber Space of the AU Commission on International Law, working in consultation with relevant Departments within the AU Commission and other relevant AU Organs, to prepare a Common African Position on the Rules of International Humanitarian Law that governs the use of Artificial Intelligence in armed conflicts;

8. Requests the AU Commission to:

i. Undertake a comprehensive study on the impact and implications of Artificial Intelligence on peace, security, stability, democracy and development in Africa and submit the Report to the PSC as soon as possible;

ii. Mainstream Artificial Intelligence in all peace processes, including facilitating its integration in peace building initiatives, leveraging Artificial Intelligence for mediation, reconciliation, and post-conflict reconstruction;

iii. Develop frameworks to oversee the responsible integration of Artificial Intelligence in military operations, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and international humanitarian law;

iv. Enhance efforts to combat misinformation and disinformation, as well as fake news, through Artificial Intelligence-driven tools while also addressing the risks associated with AI-generated false information;

v. Strengthen cyber security measures by incorporating Artificial Intelligence technologies that can efficiently identify and mitigate digital threats, and ensure robust protection of digital infrastructures;

vi. Promote the use of Artificial Intelligence-driven early warning systems to detect and analyse potential conflict indicators, enabling proactive conflict prevention measures;

vii. Encourage the empowerment of youth and women through Artificial Intelligence-driven educational and entrepreneurial opportunities, fostering inclusive and resilient communities;

viii. Foster cross-border governance and cooperation on Artificial Intelligence, developing harmonized regulatory frameworks that promote responsible and ethical AI use; and

ix. Provide relevant guidance on data protection and transparency in the context of the adoption and use of Artificial Intelligence on the Continent;

9. Requests the AU Commission, in particular the Political Affairs Peace and Security Department, in coordination with the Department of Infrastructure and Energy, to establish a multidisciplinary Advisory Group on Artificial Intelligence, peace, security and good governance in Africa; and to propose options for Continental Artificial Intelligence governance, including its military application and to report to Council every six months;

10. In light of the upcoming UN Summit of the Future, calls for the urgent development of a Global Compact on Artificial Intelligence and, in this respect, requests the AU Commission to expeditiously develop a Common African Position on Artificial Intelligence and its impact on peace, security, democracy and development in Africa; and

11. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS