The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) are set to hold their second Joint Consultative Meeting on peace and security in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from May 15 to 16, 2025. This meeting will take place at the Ambassadorial Level between the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) and the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC).
The primary objective of this gathering is to enhance strategic collaboration between ECOWAS and the AU in promoting peace, security, good governance, and stability across West Africa and the broader African continent. Building on outcomes from their inaugural session held on April 24, 2024, at the ECOWAS Commission Headquarters in Abuja, this meeting aims to evaluate previous implementations, identify lessons learned, and explore new avenues for cooperation.
Key discussions will center around governance dynamics, peace efforts, and security challenges within West Africa and the Sahel region. These talks align with both the AU Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and the ECOWAS Peace and Security Architecture (EPSA). The two institutions plan to reaffirm their commitment to democratic governance, constitutionalism, as well as sustainable peace and security.
Significant agenda items include a review of ECOWAS's achievements over its 50-year history alongside its challenges. Future directions concerning peace, security, and governance will also be discussed. Delegates aim to formulate joint strategies against terrorism and violent extremism while seeking ways to bolster institutional cooperation between AU PSC and ECOWAS MSC. Additionally, they will assess how previous joint consultation outcomes have been implemented.
A joint communiqué is expected from this meeting which will emphasize shared responsibilities by both organizations in tackling regional issues related to peace governance as well as security matters. The document is anticipated not only address implementation hurdles but also provide actionable insights for future policymaking endeavors.
Participants include Members of both councils—AU PSC & ECOWAS MSC—at Ambassadorial level along with senior officials from key departments such as Political Affairs; Peace & Security; Humanitarian & Social Affairs; Early Warning Systems; Communication among others.
Both entities remain dedicated towards collaborative efforts aimed at resolving Africa’s pressing challenges through preventive diplomacy measures like mediation coupled with coordinated support operations focused on maintaining overall continental stability.
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