The 2026 election for the 10 members of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) was held by the Executive Council on 11 February 2026 at its 48th Ordinary session, in line with the power vested in it pursuant to Decision Assembly/AU/Dec.106 (VI) of the Sixth Ordinary Session of the Assembly. The outcome of the election was endorsed by the Assembly during its 39th ordinary session on 14 and 15 February. The result of the election produced a significant change in the composition of the PSC, bringing to the PSC more than 1/3 new members, including Morocco and South Africa.

In a notable development, Somalia became the latest AU member state to be elected to the PSC for the first time, after three earlier unsuccessful attempts. Also notable was the large number of withdrawals between the closing of the submission of candidacy and the day of the election. The number of candidates shrank by nine (9) at the time of voting. As a result, there were only two AU regions (North Africa and Southern Africa) that had a list of candidates that was in excess of the number of seats available.

This policy brief provides an analysis of the conduct and outcome of the elections. It also highlights the key dynamics that transpired in the lead-up to and during the election, as well as the ways in which the new composition of membership would affect the PSC between rejuvenation and persisting decline in effectiveness and impact.