Publication:

Communiqué of the 1286th Meeting of the Peace and Security Council, held on 1 July 2025, on Open Session on the Humanitarian Situation in Africa.

At its 1286th meeting on 1 July 2025, the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Africa, particularly in the Sahel, South Sudan, Sudan, Eastern DRC, and Northern Mozambique. The crises stem from both natural and man-made causes, including conflict, terrorism, and climate change. The Council emphasized the need for enhanced coordination among the AU, RECs, and humanitarian actors, as well as integrated approaches linking peacebuilding, humanitarian response, and development. The PSC urged respect for International Humanitarian Law, better protection of civilians, and unimpeded humanitarian access. It also highlighted the urgent need for sustainable funding, calling on international partners to increase predictable and flexible support. The Council reiterated calls for the operationalization and financing of the African Humanitarian Agency and welcomed efforts by the WFP and ICRC. It called for greater investment in early warning systems, climate-resilient infrastructure, and the inclusion of climate-related risks in early warning mechanisms. Finally, the PSC underscored the importance of strengthening food systems and implementing the CAADP Kampala Declaration. It also recommended the creation of a humanitarian best practices platform and looked forward to the Second Africa Climate Summit in September 2025. The Council committed to remaining actively engaged on these issues.