The African Union Compliance and Accountability Framework (AUCF) Project, in partnership with the European Union and the United Nations, successfully concluded a two-day Working Session to Review the Draft African Union Policy on Compensation of Third-Party Claims for Peace Support Operations, from 29 to 30 October 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting brought together representatives from AU Peace Support Operations (PSOs), Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs), Troop and Police Contributing Countries (T/PCCs), and international partners to refine a draft policy aimed at enhancing accountability, transparency, and fairness in the management of third-party claims arising from AU PSOs.

The session sought to critically examine the draft policy to ensure it comprehensively addresses the management of third-party claims within AU PSOs, aligns with international legal obligations and AU’s broader commitments to ethical and responsible peace operations. It further aimed to incorporate the insights, concerns, and recommendations of diverse stakeholders—including AU PSOs, T/PCCs, RECs/RMs, and partners—to refine the draft and strengthen its applicability, while also discussing the resources, institutional responsibilities, and timelines required for its effective implementation the policy.

Participants included representatives from AUSSOM, MNJTF, and the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission for Ethiopia; Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms such as ECCAS, ECOWAS, NARC, SADC, and EASFSEC; Troop Contributing Countries including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Egypt, Kenya, and Uganda; and Police Contributing Countries including Egypt, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. International and institutional partners such as the OHCHR-Addis Ababa, the United Nations Office of Legal Affairs, and the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) also took part in the discussions, contributing best practices and comparative experiences from UN and regional operations.

Day One featured opening remarks by Mr. Joseph Noubadoum, AUCF Coordinator (OHCHR), and Mr. Christoph Pelzer, Policy and Programme Officer (EU), setting a collaborative tone for the sessions, moderated by Mr. Rahmon Adebayo Kareem, Compliance Coordinator, African Union. This was followed by a presentation of the Draft AU Policy on Compensation of Third-Party Claims by Ms. Adey Tamire, Senior Compliance Policy Officer. The discussions highlighted the need for policies that balance operational realities with legal integrity, fairness, and protection of community interests. The meeting facilitated experience sharing among AUSSOM, UNSOS, and UN Legal Affairs, where participants exchanged lessons learned and best practices on managing third-party claims in peace operations.

Day Two was dedicated to in-depth working group discussions where participants analyzed the draft policy, identified gaps, integrated lessons from ongoing missions, and developed practical recommendations to strengthen coordination, resourcing, and accountability frameworks. The session concluded with presentations of the working group outcomes and the roadmap for finalization and adoption of the policy, presented by Ms. Adey Tamire, followed by closing remarks from Mr. Rahmon Adebayo Kareem and Mr. Joseph Noubadoum, who commended the constructive engagement of participants and reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to ensuring that the final policy becomes a cornerstone for fair and transparent management of third-party claims in AU peace operations.

The draft policy will undergo further review before submission to the AU policy organs for consideration and adoption. Once operationalized, it is expected to strengthen institutional accountability, foster trust between peacekeepers and host communities, and provide clear, transparent, and equitable mechanisms for resolving third-party claims. The African Union remains steadfast in promoting responsible peacekeeping and upholding the principles of accountability, justice, and the rule of law as fundamental pillars of its peace and security architecture.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Adey Tamire | Senior Compliance Policy Officer, Peace Support Operations Division | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security | African Union Commission | E-mail: TamireA@africanunion.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Mr. Abraham Kebede Gizaw | PAPS Digital Support Officer | Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security | African Union Commission | E-mail: abrahamk@africanunion.org  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web: www.au.int  | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | Follow Us: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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