PRESS STATEMENT

The Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), on the occasion of marking the International Day of Living Together in Peace, dedicated its 1348^th meeting on 18 May 2026, to the commemoration of the International Day of Living Together in Peace.

The Council recalled UN General Assembly Resolution 72/130, adopted on 8 December 2017, which proclaimed 16 May of each year as the "International Day of Living Together in Peace."

The Council restated its commitment to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights as a key AU legal framework in promoting, advancing and protecting African people well-being, coexistence and living together in peace within the continent.

The Council reaffirmed its commitment to uphold Aspiration 4, “A Peaceful and Secure Africa” and Aspiration 5, “An Africa with a Strong Cultural Identity, Shared Values and Ethics” of AU Agenda 2063.

The Council expressed deep concern about the evolving and complex governance, peace and security landscape on the continent and persistent threats, including unconstitutional changes of government, transborder terrorism, violent extremism, inter-communal conflicts, and the proliferation of hate speech and disinformation, amplified through digital platforms which undermine peaceful coexistence.

The Council highlighted the necessity of fully utilizing the current institutional framework, which aligns with AU structural reforms and the consolidation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and African Governance Architecture (AGA), to bridge the gap between early warning and early response.

The Council strongly urged Member States to systematically address structural root causes of conflict, including all forms of political, ethnic, religious, socio-economic marginalization as well as to uphold the AU's principles of good neighbourliness, respect for territorial integrity, and non-interference, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the right of people to self-determination.

The Council encouraged AU Member States to mark 16 May annually as the "International Day of Living Together in Peace" with national events, supported by focused mass media and educational initiatives.

The Council emphasized the need to prioritize the ongoing decision for the incorporation of peace education into national curricula, alongside cultural heritage and the arts, particularly for youth programs aiming to cultivate a durable culture of peace, tolerance, and Pan-Africanism.

The Council recalled paragraph 4 of its Press statement No. 891 of 19^th November 2019, paragraph 1 of Communiqué No. 928 of 27^th May 2020, paragraph 2 of its Press Statement No. 995 of 13^th May 2021, and paragraph 7 of its Press Statement No. 1084 of 27^th May 2022 and reiterated its acknowledgment of the pioneering efforts of Algeria in championing this UN Resolution based on its national experience in de-radicalization as well as successes in countering terrorism and violent extremism.

The Council encouraged the African Members in the UN Security Council (A3) to take the lead, working closely with the AU Observatory Permanent Mission in New York, to organize annual events for the commemoration of the  International Day of Living Together in Peace at United Nations Headquarters, on the global stage in order to showcase Pan-Africanism and successful social cohesion efforts originating from Africa.

The Council reaffirmed its decision to maintain this Day as a standing item on its Annual Programme of Work.

The Council agreed to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS