The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) will virtually convene its 993rd session on Thursday to discuss the ongoing political crisis in Somalia.
The emergency session, which convened at 10:00 am EAT, was not previously scheduled on the Council’s monthly programme.
Mohammed Idriss Farah, Djibouti’s Permanent Representative and Interim PSC Chairperson for April 2021 is expected to address the Council along with Francisco Madeira, the Special Representative of the AU Commission Chairperson (SRCC).
Somalia’s Foreign Minister, Mohamed Abdirizak, is also expected to brief the Council.
The PSC is the “standing decision-making organ of the AU,” which aims to resolve conflicts on the continent. It wields significant power, and the AU calls it the building block of their African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). Among its capabilities, the PSC can impose sanctions whenever it deems an unconstitutional change of government takes place and coordinate peace efforts with the various regional mechanisms within the AU.
The PSC has 15 members with equal voting powers.
- All members of the PSC (Except Ethiopia ) condemned the unilateral extension on 12 April. Kenya and Djibouti said the move could trigger a civil war which could destabilize the whole region. Nigeria and Ghana said the move is inherently undemocratic and contrary to AU principles
- All members welcomed the AU role in mediation. They also agreed the need for a high-level official to be appointed for mediation.
- Egypt proposed Amr Mousa, former FM and Arab League chief. Farmaajo lobbied for Hailemariam Desalegn, former Ethiopian PM or an Eritrean official
- Nigeria, Ghana and others proposed Earnest Bai Koroma, former Sierra Leone president. Most members supported this proposal. It’s expected that Congo president will appointment him soon.
- communique of PSC meeting was put on hold as per the procedures of the commission when a member state expresses concern. The silent period is 24 hours. Only PSC members can edit the communique
- the thrust of the communique is that AU will not accept unilateral extension, and that the parameters of the AU mediation must be on 17 September agreement.
- communique will come out tomorrow Friday 23 April. EU, USA, UN & others will support it as the basis for the AU mediation.
