AU Peace and Security Council Elects New Members for 2026–2028 Term

The African Union Peace and Security Council has elected six new members and re-elected four others for the 2026–2028 term following a vote by the AU Executive Council. The results, from voting held during the Executive Council’s 48th Ordinary Session, will be endorsed by the AU Assembly, while the council continues to play a central role in conflict prevention, peace operations, and regional security across Africa.

The African Union Peace and Security Council has elected six new member states and re-elected four others to serve during the 2026–2028 term, following a vote held by the African Union Executive Council, according to an official statement.
Countries newly elected to the 15-member council include Benin, Gabon, Lesotho, Morocco, Somalia, and South Africa. In addition, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, and Uganda secured re-election, allowing them to continue their participation on the body. The mandates of the newly elected and returning members will begin on April 1, 2026, and run through March 31, 2028.
The Peace and Security Council does not operate with permanent seats. Membership is determined based on the principle of equitable regional representation to ensure balanced participation from all parts of the African continent. Depending on the electoral cycle, members are elected to serve either two-year or three-year terms.
Algeria, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Eswatini, and Nigeria were elected in the previous election cycle and are currently serving three-year mandates. Their terms remain in effect and will continue until the next round of elections scheduled for next year.
The voting took place during the Executive Council’s 48th Ordinary Session, which was held from February 11 to February 12. This session brought together representatives of member states to deliberate and vote on key institutional matters, including the composition of the Peace and Security Council.
The election outcomes are expected to receive formal approval from the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government at its 39th Ordinary Session, which is scheduled to take place this weekend at the organization’s headquarters.
The Peace and Security Council serves as the African Union’s principal decision-making organ responsible for conflict prevention, management, and resolution across Africa. It plays a critical role in maintaining peace, stability, and security on the continent.
Among its core responsibilities are the authorization of peace support operations, the supervision of early warning systems and preventive diplomacy initiatives, the imposition of sanctions in cases of unconstitutional changes of government, and the coordination of continent-wide responses to security threats, including terrorism.
Overall, the Council remains central to the African Union’s broader efforts to address armed conflicts, prevent the escalation of crises, and respond to ongoing political instability in various regions of Africa.