Rabat – Morocco started this month taking over the presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC-AU) decision-making body during the current month of March.
Morocco’s fourth presidency of the PSC-AU reflects Moroccan commitment to the continent’s peace, stability, and prosperity.
Indeed, this is the fourth time that Morocco has acceded to the presidency of this key body of the pan-African organization, after those of February 2024, October 2022 and September 2019, illustrating a consecration of the efforts of Moroccan diplomacy at the level of the Continent under the visionary leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
Several issues and themes of great importance for the Continent will be examined during the Moroccan presidency for this month of March, among others, “climate change: challenges for peace and security in Africa”, “the fight against violent extremism in Africa” and the Agenda “Women, Peace and Security in Africa”.
The PSC-AU will also hold, under the presidency of Morocco, an informal consultation with Burkina Faso, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger and Sudan with the aim of accelerating the return of these countries to the pan-African institution.
In addition, a ministerial meeting on “artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on peace, security and governance in Africa” is planned during this presidency, a theme that will be examined for the first time by the PSC at the initiative of Morocco.
The country’s appointment comes at a critical time when Africa faces increasing security challenges, exacerbated by drought, epidemics, and the proliferation of violent extremism.
These issues demand innovative and comprehensive responses within the framework of the Peace, Security, and Development Nexus approach, endorsed by the Tangier Declaration that African Union heads of state and government adopted in February 2023.
This is Morocco’s third presidency of the AU’s decision-making body during its second three-year term (2022-2025), following October 2022 and February 2024.
In February 2024, Morocco’s PSC presidency worked on themes that targeted strengthening dialogue and cooperation in Africa, promoting a multi-dimensional approach to peacekeeping, enhancing continental and international cooperation, as well as addressing humanitarian issues. Morocco also worked on sharing its expertise in different fields with African fellow countries of the organization.
Morocco also presided over the PSC in September 2019, during its first term (2018-2020).
The country has consistently reinforced its position as an African leader committed to peace, security, and sustainable development, emphasizing the principles of dialogue, good neighborliness, and preventive diplomacy.
During all three previous appointments, the North African country has also aligned its diplomacy with respect for state sovereignty and territorial integrity, combining diplomatic wisdom with innovation to contribute to a more stable and prosperous future for Africa.
