Speaking with one voice to drive sustainability, efficiency, cohesion & innovation

Building on the outcomes of the inaugural joint planning retreat held in June 2024, the African Union (AU), the European Union (EU), and the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs) convened a follow-up planning and review meeting in Nairobi, Kenya, from 15 to 16 May 2025. The objective was to finalize preparations for the successor EU Support Programme, scheduled to commence on 1 January 2026.

This upcoming programme will consolidate various EU-supported initiatives under a single integrated framework, encompassing support to the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), the African Governance Architecture (AGA), the Human Rights Compliance Framework, and the Crisis Reserve Facility (CRF) of the AU Peace Fund.

The meeting was officially opened by Ambassador Salah Hammad, Head of the AGA-APSA Secretariat at the AU Commission, on behalf of Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. “Today, we celebrate a renewed partnership and a new project supported by the European Union,” said Ambassador Hammad. “This new configuration offers a unique opportunity to foster sustained collaboration and enhance coordination within the AU family and with our strategic partner, the European Union.”

Mr. Christoph Pelzer, speaking on behalf of the European Union, underscored the importance of the moment: “This is a crucial time to shape a clear vision for the new programme and ensure it is ready for signature in the second half of 2025, paving the way for continuity and impact.”

Brigadier General (Rtd) Paul Kahuria Njema, Director of the Eastern Africa Standby Force (EASF) Secretariat, reaffirmed EASF’s commitment: “We remain fully dedicated to delivering on activities aligned with the programme’s strategic objectives. We deeply appreciate the continued support extended through this vital partnership.”

The two-day meeting served as a strategic platform for enhancing coordination, aligning resources, and strengthening the partnership among the AU, RECs/RMs, and the EU. Discussions focused on finalizing implementation modalities, monitoring and evaluation frameworks, timelines, reporting mechanisms and communication protocols. The partners also reviewed key programme components, particularly the expanded integration of AGA and APSA, and developed a detailed transition roadmap.

A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement to consolidate EU-supported efforts into a single, streamlined programme. This integrated approach will support not only APSA and AGA but also the Human Rights Compliance Framework, the AU Peace Fund, and civil society engagement. The programme will provide targeted technical assistance, notably to the Peace Fund Secretariat and the Human Rights Compliance Framework Project, while incorporating cross-cutting priorities such as youth and women’s participation and climate change.

The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of shared purpose and collective ownership. Participants expressed strong commitment to ensuring a timely and impactful rollout of the new programme beginning January 2026.

In his closing remarks, Ambassador Salah Hammad thanked all participants for their active engagement and extended gratitude to the European Union for its longstanding partnership and to the Government and people of the Republic of Kenya for their warm hospitality.

The meeting brought together representatives from the AU Commission, the EU, RECs/RMs, and AU Organs working in the areas of governance, peace, and security.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Lulit Kebede | Communication Officer, Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department | Email: lulitk@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org 

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Posted by Lulit Kebede

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