Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1250^th meeting held on 9 December 2024 on the Adoption of the Conclusions of the 16^th Annual Retreat of the PSC on the Review of its Working Methods, held in Djibouti, Djibouti from 5 to 6 November 2024.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions on its working methods, in particular, Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1190 (2023)] adopted at its 1190^th meeting held on 18 December 2023, on the adoption of the Conclusions of its 15^th Retreat on the review of its Working Methods; and Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.(LXXXV)] adopted at its 85^th meeting held on 8 August 2007, in which Council decided to review its working methods, on a regular basis, and to adjust them as the need arises;

Mindful of the need to constantly review the Council’s working methods, in order to further enhance its institutional capacity, with a view to enabling it to more effectively and efficiently discharge its mandate of promoting peace, security and stability in Africa;

Cognisant of the need for continuous strengthening of the capacity of the PSC, in order to enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate of promoting peace, security and stability in the African Continent; and 

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

1. Commends the Government of the Republic of Djibouti for hosting the 16^th Retreat of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on its Working Methods, from 5 to 6 November 2024, in Djibouti;

2. Expresses deep appreciation to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as Chairperson of the PSC for the month of November 2024, for the successful organization of the Retreat;

3. Adopts the Conclusions of the 16^th Retreat on Working Methods and decides to submit them for endorsement to the upcoming 38^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union to be held in January/February 2025;

4. Requests the AU Commission to ensure full implementation of the Conclusions of the 16^th Retreat of the Peace and Security Council of the African Union on its Working Methods;

5. Looks forward to the next Retreat on the review of its working methods on dates and venue to be agreed in due course; and

6. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS