Africa Unites for Peace: A Bold Move to Strengthen Early Warning and Collaboration in Southern Africa
In a groundbreaking initiative, the African Union's Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PAPS) Department is taking a significant step towards enhancing peace and security across Southern Africa. But here's where it gets exciting: they're not doing it alone. From November 5-7, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa, the AU convened a pivotal meeting to establish and integrate a network of civil society organizations (CSOs) from the region into the Pan-African Civil Society Network on Political Affairs, Peace, and Security (PANPAPS). This move is not just bureaucratic—it's a strategic effort to amplify local voices and foster collaboration in addressing complex challenges like transnational crime, climate change, and socio-economic inequalities.
And this is the part most people miss: This initiative is deeply rooted in the African Union's foundational principles. It aligns with the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) Protocol, particularly Articles 12 and 20, which emphasize the Continental Early Warning System (CEWS) and the critical role of CSOs in promoting stability. It also builds on the PSC's 1163rd Ministerial Meeting, which highlighted the need for inclusive, community-driven responses to multidimensional threats. Additionally, it draws inspiration from the Maseru Conclusions, Livingstone Formula, and the Lomé Declaration, ensuring a comprehensive and unified approach.
The meeting brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from Southern African nations like Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Experts from regional economic communities (RECs), such as SADC, COMESA, and ECCAS, alongside AU-affiliated entities, CSOs, and networks like ECONET, WANEP, and ACCORD, also participated. Their collective goal? To create a harmonized Pan-African strategy that strengthens conflict prevention and aligns with the ambitious Agenda 2063.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Speaking on behalf of the AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Mr. Cecilio Jesus Mba Mesi Akele, framed this initiative as more than just an institutional exercise. He called it a “renewed commitment to African solidarity, local ownership, and collective responsibility.” But what does this mean in practice? It means ensuring that grassroots voices shape policies affecting their security and well-being. Brigadier General Percy Nyathi, Defence Attaché at the South African Permanent Mission to the AU, added a thought-provoking perspective by emphasizing the spirit of Ubuntu—a continental value of humanity and collaboration. Is this idealistic, or is it the key to sustainable peace?
Participants didn’t just talk—they took action. Key recommendations included developing a Southern Africa CSO Integration Roadmap for PANPAPS engagement, complete with defined roles and timelines. They also proposed establishing a dedicated desk at the AU PAPS and creating regional coordination mechanisms, such as shared leadership models and peer learning sessions. Institutionalizing documentation, reporting, and monitoring strategies was another priority. CSOs were encouraged to self-organize, form coalitions, and align with national, regional, and continental goals. Other focus areas included intellectual property, resource mobilization, and enhancing visibility through digital platforms and impact showcases.
But here's the real question: Can this network truly bridge the gap between AU discourse and grassroots realities? Participants believe so, emphasizing the need for proactive strategies, early response mechanisms, and state recognition of CSO contributions. They also highlighted the importance of strategic mapping of CSO capacities, unified advocacy voices, and alignment with regional agendas like Agenda 2063. Youth agency and technology were identified as key drivers, requiring context-specific responses. The expected outcomes? Improved data for early warning, enhanced community participation, greater legitimacy, and mutual capacity development.
To solidify these efforts, participants agreed to establish a Southern Africa Coalition of CSOs on Peace and Security, integrate it into PANPAPS, and create coordination mechanisms. A follow-up meeting, hosted by PANPAPS and the AU, will define operations and broaden membership. But what do you think? Is this the right approach to fostering peace and security in Southern Africa? Or are there critical aspects missing from this strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Posted by Situation Room ICU
We use cookies on our website and mobile app to enhance your experience. Rest assured, they don’t store personal information or harm your device. Our goal is to provide you with timely, relevant knowledge to engage constructively with the African Union. Questions? Contact PAPS Digital Support Officer at abrahamk@africa-union.org.
