I.  INTRODUCTION

1. Consistent with its established practice, following the election of new Members, from 23 to 25 March 2022, in Maseru, in the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) held an Induction programme for the elected and re-elected Members of the PSC during the 35^th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 5 to 6 February 2022.

II. MAIN OBJECTIVES

2. The main objective of the Induction programme was to acquaint the newly-elected PSC Members with the mandate, functions, powers, work and working methods of the PSC, before the commencement of their respective terms on 1 April 2022. The programme also provided an opportunity for the outgoing and re-elected PSC Members to share with the new Members, perspectives, experiences, lessons learned and best practices, with the new Members with a view to further strengthening and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the PSC in discharging its mandate. In addition, the Programme enabled the newly elected Members to understand the working relationships between the PSC and other strategic entities, including the entire AU Commission within the framework of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the African Governance Architecture (AGA).

3. As part of its scope, the Programme also covered the working relationships between the PSC and:

a) Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution (RECs/RMs);

b) Other sisterly AU Organs whose respective mandates include aspects relating to the promotion of peace, security and stability in Africa, as well as the general wellbeing of African people, namely, the Panel of the Wise, the Pan-African Parliament, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights, the African Court on Human and People’s Rights, the African Peer Review Mechanism;

c) The African Members of the United Nations Security Council (A3);

d) The United Nations Security Council, (UNSC) the European Union Political and Security Committee, and the Peace and Security Council of the League of Arab States; and

e) Civil Society Organizations.
III. PARTICIPATION

4. The Induction programme, brought together the following participants:

a) Nine (9) newly elected PSC Members, namely: the Republic of Congo, the Republic of The Gambia, the Kingdom of Morocco, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Tunisia, the Republic of Uganda and the Republic of Zimbabwe;

b) Six (6) re-elected PSC Members, namely: the Republic of Burundi, the Republic of Cameroon, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of Ghana, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Republic of Senegal;

c) Nine (9) outgoing PSC Members, namely, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Republic of Benin, the Republic of Chad, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the Republic of Kenya, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Malawi and the Republic of Mozambique;

d) The AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, accompanied by staff from the AU Commission; and

e) Facilitators who included a former PSC Ambassador and representatives of think tanks, namely, Amani Africa and Institute for Security Studies (ISS).

IV. OPENING CEREMONY

5. Honorable Matsepo Ramakoae, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations of the Kingdom of Lesotho officially declared open the Induction programme on behalf of the Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho. Opening remarks were also made by H.E. Ambassador Professor Mafa Sejanamane, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the AU as the PSC Chairperson for the month of March 2022, and by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

V. FORMAT

6. Unprecedentedly in the practice of the PSC, the Induction programme began with the Honour Roll Call for the Newly Elected, Re-Elected and Outgoing Members, during which the participants made brief introduction and remarks on some areas of key interest which their respective delegations would seek to promote during their membership in the PSC. The outgoing, re-elected and newly elected Members also candidly shared their observations and perspectives, including achievements and challenges facing the PSC, and proposed recommendations on practical means and ways of further enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the PSC in discharging its mandate.

7. The Induction programme took the format of focused thematic sessions in which theme-specific presentations were made, followed by extensive discussions in which participants raised important issues that require urgent attention. These issues include the mandate, functions, powers, working methods of the PSC and the role of the AU Commission, in line with the provisions of the Protocol Relating to the Establishment of the Peace and Security Council. Participants made the following critical observations and recommendations:

A. On the Legal Foundation and Base Frameworks of the PSC: Mandate, Powers, Functions

8. Participants took note of the comprehensive presentation by Dr. Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, the Director for Conflict Management within the Political Affairs Peace and Security Department of the AU Commission. During the deliberations, participants highlighted the following:

a) The need to further strengthen the relationship between the AU and the RECs/RMs to ensure successful implementation of both, the APSA and AGA;

b) The need for the effective utilization of all existing AU tools for conflict prevention, management and resolution, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and development, including the Continental Early Warning System and the Panel of the Wise;

c) The need for redoubling efforts to effectively support Member States in managing political transitions;

d) The need for effective coordination and complementarity of efforts between the AU and RECs/RMs;

e) The need for effective and adequate measures to deter and prevent unconstitutional changes of Government, including military coup d’états. In this regard, emphasized the need to review and strengthen the efficiency of AU PSC’s Sanctions regime;

f) The need to encourage the A3 to continue to speak with one common and united voice in articulating, promoting and defending African position and interests within the decision-making process of the UNSC;

g) The need for the PSC to enhance its efforts in early warning and conflict prevention, as well as timeously respond to outbreaks of conflict and crisis situations in the Continent;

h) In the fulfillment of its mandate, the Peace and Security Council shall cooperate and work closely with the United Nations Security Council, which has the primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security;

i) The need for the PSC to fully own its activities, be independent of, and insulate itself from, external influences; and

j) The importance of addressing the concern of the North African Region regarding the representation in the membership of the PSC, as directed in Assembly decision no. 823 of February 2022 which directed “the Commission, in full consultation with AU Member States, to present a comprehensive report to the upcoming Executive Council, with concrete consensual proposals to amend the pertinent provisions of the Protocol (Article 5(1)-a) Establishing the Peace and Security Council” .

B. On the PSC Working Methods

9. Participants took note of the comprehensive presentation by Ms. Neema Chusi, the Acting Head of the PSC Secretariat and, during the deliberations, participants underscored the following aspects:

a) The importance for PSC Members to fully acquaint and familiarize themselves with the PSC legal instruments;

b) The importance for PSC Members to own their working documents by fully utilizing the Committee of Experts in the drafting of the PSC working documents, prior to, during and after the meetings, as well as to consider the feasibility of introducing pen-holding system;

c) The need to develop a mechanism to ensure urgent implementation of decisions adopted by Council and the Assembly;

d) The importance of ensuring that outgoing PSC Chairperson formally hands over a consolidated report on pending issues from the preceding month to be urgently addressed by the incoming PSC Chairperson;

e) The need for enhancing consultations among the PSC Members during the consideration and adoption of the PSC Monthly Provisional Programme of Work;

f) Full operationalization of all PSC Subsidiary bodies and Subcommittees in order to provide support to follow up on the implementation of PSC decisions particularly on unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism , violent extremism Post Conflict Reconstruction Development;

g) The need for regular capacity building for the Committee of Experts particularly in drafting of PSC decisions and other working documents, with a view to ensure that the Committee effectively supports the PSC;

h) The need for PSC to regularize and institutionalize interactions with other sisterly AU Organs and institutions, as well as with AU Partners; and

i) The need for regular monitoring and evaluation of the status of the implementation of PSC decisions and those of the Assembly;

C. On Existential and Emerging Threats to Africa’s Peace: Terrorism (foreign Fighters and mercenaries) Power illegitimacy, Complex Political Transitions and COVID-19 Pandemic

10. During this thematic session, participants took note of the remarks made by Dr. Solomon Dersso, the Executive Director of Amani Africa as the Facilitator; as well as of the presentations by the panelists who included H.E. Ambassador Amma A. Twum-Amoah, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Ghana to the AU; H.E. Ambassador Salah Francis El-Hamdi, the Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU; and by H.E Ambassador Emilia N. Mkusa, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia to the AU. During the extensive deliberations that ensued, panelists and participants underlined the following:

a) The need a multidimensional approach in order to comprehensively address the structural root causes and drivers of unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism and violent extremism;

b) The need for the AU Commission to support Member States in raising public awareness on cyber security and its attendant risks;

c) The need to encourage Member States to further enhance and strengthen national capacities, in order to more effectively respond to all emerging security treats;

d) The importance of Member States to fully utilize the African Centres of Excellence, including the Africa Centre for the Research and Study on Terrorism (ACSRT) in Algiers and the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) Centre in Cairo;

e) The need for the AU Commission to expedite the review of the OAU Conventions on the Prevention and Combating of Terrorism;

f) The need for the Member States, the RECs/RMs and the AU to address the challenge of denialism to credible early warning reports of looming conflict and crisis situations and entrenching the culture of democracy and good governance;

g) The need to put in place modalities, including development of an African Common Position on foreign fighters/ mercenaries;

h) The necessity to enhance the capacity of Member States to effectively combat proliferation of illicit weapons, the use of drones by armed groups and mercenaries;

i) The need for Member States to further enhance their collaboration, sharing of intelligence and information, joint operations, cross border operations, including through the use of AFRIPOL and INTERPOL;

j) The need for thorough preparations for the upcoming AU Extraordinary AU Summit to be held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, in May 2022;

k) The need for enhancing the institutional capacity of operational AU Liaison Offices in order for them to effectively discharge their respective mandates as well as to support PSC Secretariat

l) The need for enhanced national inter-institution/inter-agency cooperation and collaboration in addressing national security issues, including in national security threat assessments;

D. On Enhancing AU Peace Support Operations

11. During this thematic session, participants took note of the comprehensive and concise presentation made by Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security as the Facilitator, as well as presentation made by the Panelists who included H.E. Ambassador Rebecca Amuge Otengo, the Permanent Representative of Uganda to the AU; H.E. Ambassador Tesfaye Yilma, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU; H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Arrouchi, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco; H.E. Ambassador Edward Xolisa Makaya, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa; and by Dr. Paul-Simon Handy, Regional Director and Representative of the Institute of Security Studies (ISS) to the AU and East Africa. During the discussion that ensued, both, the panelists and the participants emphasized the following critical issues:

a) Promotion and maintenance of peace security and stability in the Continent is a shared responsibility for all Member States and partners. As such, all Member States should be encouraged to make more generous contributions in support of the AU Peace Support Operations (PSOs);

b) The importance of ensuring predictable and sustainable funding for AU PSOs to ensure full ownership. In this regard, participants underscored the importance for Member States to regularly settle their contribution to the peace fund and to redouble efforts with the AU Commission in mobilizing funding for AU-led PSOs to effectively discharge their mandate;

c) The need for expediting the Draft Common African Position on Financing of AU PSOs through UN Assessed Contributions and subsequently request the A3 to re-launch the Draft into the UNSC decision-making process;

d) The need to fully capacitate the RECs/RMs as the key strategic blocs for the promotion and maintenance of regional and Continental peace and security, particularly the deployment of PSOs;

e) The need to fully utilize all available instruments for conflict prevention prior to deployment of PSOs. In this regard, emphasis was made on the need to redouble efforts to further enhance existing capacities for conflict prevention, management and resolution, including early warning and mediation capacities;

f) While sustainable funding and equipping is critical, there is also need for objective and comprehensive conflict analysis in order to develop more appropriate and effective responses other than PSOs;

g) Commending those Member States that have generously contributed to the AU Peace Fund, pursuant to Assembly Decision 578, and the need to encourage other Member States to also expedite their contributions; and further urge the AUC to finalize consultations with those countries of the Northern Region who have entered reservations on the scale of assessment formula to be applied to the peace fund (the Kingdom of Morocco did not enter reservations in this regard);

h) The need to fully operationalize the African Standby Force by addressing the outstanding institutional capacity gaps in the Force, including the special unit to Counter Terrorism

E. On Sharing of Experiences, Lessons Learnt and Best Practices in the Work of the PSC

12. During this thematic session, participants took note of presentation made by H.E. Ambassador Catherine Muigai Mwangi, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to Republic of South Africa, as the Facilitator, as well as of the presentations by the Panelists who included H.E. Ambassador Mohammed Gad, the Permanent Representative of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the African Union; H.E. Ambassador Churchill Ewumbue Monono, the Permanent Representative of Cameroon to the AU; H.E. Ambassador Jean Kamau, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the AU; and by H.E. Ambassador Professor Mafa Sejanamane, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho to the AU. During the extensive deliberations that ensued, both, the panelists and participants emphasized the following critical best practices:

a) The need for PSC Members to reconcile their sovereignty or the promotion of their individual national self-interests and the peace and security interests of the whole Continent;

b) The need for the PSC to safeguard its institutional integrity and credibility, among others, by faithfully adhering to the stipulations of the Protocol Relating to its Establishment without exceptions;

c) The need for the PSC to be more agile and ready to swiftly respond to emerging conflict and crisis situations in the Continent and more proactive in its approaches and to ensure that its decisions are more evidence-based;

d) The need to address the persistent challenge of denialism to credible early warning reports of looming conflicts and crisis situations in the Continent;

e) The need for regular engagements with nationally recognized Continental centers of excellence/ think tanks, and civil society organizations on peace and security matters;

f) The need to fully utilize the Committee of Experts, before, during and after PSC sessions, as well as full activation of the other dormant PSC subsidiary bodies, including the Military Staff Committee and the Sanctions Committee, Counter-terrorism, as well as the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Committee;

g) The need to fully utilize the expertise available in the AU Commission;

h) The need to ensure that PSC decision-making process is transparent, consultative and fully reflective of the PSC deliberations, among others, by keeping verbatim records of the proceedings for future references whenever the need arises;

i) The need for the PSC to continue regular consultations and engagements with the RECs/RMs in line with provisions of Article 16 of its Protocol;

j) The need for continuation of monthly coordination meetings, and extensive consultations prior to decision making between the PSC and the UNSC, as much as possible, and whenever the need arises;

k) The need to ensure confidentiality of PSC working documents, among others, by regularly updating the PSC mailing list, or developing a more secure email domain specifically for the for duration of the membership;

l) The need for the incoming PSC Members to be fully conversant with the PSC legal instruments including the criteria for membership particularly those relating to sufficiently staffed missions, in order to effectively shoulder the responsibilities entailed in membership. In this regard, the need to fully use of the Office of the Legal Counsel whenever necessary was stressed;
VI. CONCLUSION

13. Participants took note of the summary of key elements for the report of the induction as read by the PSC Secretariat and agreed that the detailed Report of the induction programme would be submitted for consideration and adoption during a formal session of the PSC.

VII. AWARDING OF CERTIFICATES TO OUTGOING MEMBERS

14. The outgoing PSC Members were awarded Certificates of Appreciation which were divided into three categories, namely: the Country, Permanent Representative and the leading Expert as per the nominations submitted by PSC Members. H.E Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and H.E. Ambassador Professor Mafa Sejanamane, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Lesotho and Chairperson of the PSC, presided over the ceremony.
VIII. FLAG CEREMONY

15. Noteworthy, a Flag Ceremony was held for the newly-elected members of the PSC and those who have been re-elected. As such, starting from 1 April 2022, the PSC will comprise the following 15 Members: the Republic of Burundi, Republic of Cameroon, Republic of Congo, Republic of Djibouti, Republic of The Gambia, Republic of Ghana, the Kingdom of Morocco, Republic of Namibia, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Republic of Senegal, Republic of South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Tunisian Republic, Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Zimbabwe.
IX. CLOSING CEREMONY

16. During the closing ceremony, H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, commended the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho for hosting the induction; the outgoing PSC members for sharing their insights and assured the incoming PSC Members of the readiness, and unwavering commitment of the AU Commission to provide any required support. He also commended all those who were involved in the organization of the induction, including the AU Commission, particularly the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, the facilitators, namely: the Institute of Security Studies, Amani Africa and H.E. Ambassador Catherine Muigai Mwangi, High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya to South Africa.

17. On behalf of all participants, H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Gambia, delivered the vote of thanks and also expressed appreciation to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho for hosting the induction programme. She thanked all participants for their rich and candid exchanges, sharing of experiences, lessons, best practices, and perspectives on practical means and ways of further enhancing the PSC's effectiveness, efficiency, integrity, credibility, and efficacy in discharging its mandate.

18. As the chairperson of the PSC for March 2022 and on behalf of the Government and people of the Kingdom of Lesotho, H.E. Ambassador Professor Mafa Sejanamane officially closed the induction

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