The African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council and the European Union (EU) Political and Security Committee will convene for their 17th annual joint consultative meeting on November 6, 2026. This high-level gathering follows a ninth informal joint retreat held today, setting the stage for what promises to be a rigorous assessment of security partnerships amid shifting geopolitical tides.
Antonin Benjamin Biéké, the Special Envoy of Côte d’Ivoire to the AU and the PSC Chairperson for November, is slated to deliver opening remarks alongside Lene Vensild, the Permanent Chair of the EUPSC. The meetings, meticulously prepared by the PSC Committee of Experts, arrive at a moment when long-standing frameworks for regional stability face unprecedented financial and logistical strain.
Stakes for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia
The future of the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) dominates the agenda as the mission grapples with severe funding shortfalls that have persisted since its January 2025 launch. On November 2, Uganda’s acting military spokesperson said the country would begin withdrawing troops after two decades in the region. While Ugandan forces serving under AUSSOM are scheduled for a gradual departure by the end of 2027, the immediate withdrawal of 2,000 troops under bilateral arrangements signals a tightening window for security continuity.
PRESS STATEMENT Kampala, Monday, November 2, 2026 UPDF Commences Withdrawal of Bilaterally Deployed Troops in Somalia The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has embarked on the drawdown of troops deployed in Somalia under bilateral arrangements with the Federal Government…
The logistical uncertainty is compounded by the United States’ decision in July 2026 to withdraw support for the UN Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) beyond the current calendar year. Without a clear plan to replace that logistical backbone, the PSC and EUPSC face a potential security vacuum. Despite the European Union’s historical role as the largest single financial contributor to AU missions in Somalia—having provided nearly €2.7 billion since 2007—there is no guarantee of sustained funding to bridge the gap.
The application of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 remains a point of contention. While both bodies previously affirmed the resolution as a viable financing mechanism for AU-led operations, US opposition has repeatedly stalled its implementation for AUSSOM.
Council Examines Sudan’s Shifting Conflict Stakes
The consultative agenda also turns to the deepening crisis in Sudan, building on the PSC’s field mission to Khartoum in August. With the conflict dynamics evolving to include complex regional and extra-regional entanglements, the council members are expected to address the need for a humanitarian truce and a shift toward civilian-led transition. Recent diplomatic efforts, including the October 21 consultative meeting in Geneva, highlight the challenge of aligning various peace initiatives under the Quintet and Quad coordination mechanisms.
However, the political path forward remains fraught. The SAF-backed Preparatory Committee for a Sudanese-led dialogue faces stiff resistance from the Civil Democratic Alliance for Revolutionary Forces, which has warned that a military-controlled process will only solidify the country’s de facto division. With the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan reporting extensive external support networks fueling the violence, the pressure is on the AU and EU to hold these external actors accountable.
Persistent Instability in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Discussions regarding the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will likely reflect the mounting frustration with the current security climate. Despite various mediation tracks—including the AU-led shuttle diplomacy and the Qatar-led Doha process—fighting in North and South Kivu persists. The emergence of the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, a coalition involving M23 and other groups, has added a layer of political volatility, particularly as the group threatens to abandon the Doha Framework Agreement if the DRC government proceeds with a constitutional referendum.
The international response has been increasingly assertive. On October 28, the United States imposed financial sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and a financial institution tied to its security services, citing continued support for M23. This was followed by the termination of Rwanda’s eligibility under the African Growth and Opportunity Act on November 2. As the PSC and EUPSC review these developments, they are expected to reiterate their condemnation of the illegal exploitation of natural resources in eastern DRC.
Agenda Omits South Sudan’s Election Crisis
South Sudan’s name does not appear on the official agenda, despite its worsening political crisis and elections set for December 22, 2026. This exclusion, alongside the failure to reach consensus on items like the role of natural resource exploitation in conflicts, reflects a narrowing scope for the joint consultative meeting. As the participants look toward the end of the year, the focus remains on managing the immediate transition risks for AUSSOM amid fractured diplomatic efforts and mounting security crises.
