ECOWAS Permanent Representation Participates in 8th AU Security Sector Reform Committee Meeting

ECOWAS Urges Inclusive Security Sector Reform at African Union Meeting in Addis Ababa

The Permanent Representation of the Economic Community of West African States to the African Union joined continental leaders in Addis Ababa on October 30, 2026, for the 8th Meeting of the African Union Steering Committee on Security Sector Reform in Africa, ecowas.int reported. The session convened to review member state progress and evaluate strategic support for continental security overhauls.

During the deliberations, the Steering Committee adopted the report from its 7th meeting and reviewed joint initiatives undertaken with ECOWAS. Discussions highlighted capacity-building workshops held for parliamentarians in Dakar, Senegal, in June 2026, and in Bo, Sierra Leone, in October 2026.

Addressing Inclusivity and Avoiding Political Retaliation

Addressing the committee, the ECOWAS Permanent Representative to the African Union urged delegates to ensure that security sector reform remains strictly constructive and inclusive. The ambassador emphasized that the reform process must never be perceived or weaponized as a tool for settling political scores against any party.

The agenda in Addis Ababa also addressed broader pillars of the continental peace and security architecture. Delegates focused on popularizing the Operational Guidance Note on Oversight and Accountability, finalizing the Operational Guidance Note on Mediation and Security Sector Reform, and tracking recommendations from the 4th African Forum on Security Sector Reform held in November 2025.

Parallel Advances in Women, Peace, and Security Frameworks

In a related continental development, the European Union Delegation to the African Union joined leadership in Addis Ababa for the launch of the African Union Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Strategic Plan for 2026–2028, eeas.europa.eu reported. Karin Stanghed, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation, noted that the framework addresses a persistent conversion gap between high-level commitments and practical implementation on the ground.

The new strategy aligns closely with the EU Gender Action Plan IV, focusing on conflict prevention, women’s leadership in peace processes, and predictable financing. AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Liberata Mulamula stated during the launch that the core question facing the continent is whether nations are effectively delivering on existing frameworks rather than creating new ones.

Frequently Asked Questions

What specific security sector reform events did ECOWAS highlight during the Addis Ababa meeting?

ECOWAS pointed to successful capacity-building workshops held for parliamentarians in Dakar, Senegal, in June 2026, and in Bo, Sierra Leone, in October 2026.

Which foundational security documents were reviewed by the AU Steering Committee?

The committee discussed the popularization of the Operational Guidance Note on Oversight and Accountability and worked on finalizing the Operational Guidance Note on Mediation and Security Sector Reform.

What is the primary objective of the African Union Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security Strategic Plan 2026–2028?

The plan aims to close the conversion gap between existing policy commitments and actual implementation by placing women’s leadership at the center of AU-led peace, conflict prevention, and recovery processes.