Since the inaugural edition published in 2020, Amani Africa has on an annual basis published the authoritative The African Union Peace and Security Council Handbook as part of its research work and in an effort to document and enhance knowledge on the work and mandate of the Peace and Security Council (PSC). The Handbook is produced both to support the PSC’s mandate and to bring better visibility to the AU PSC at the continental as well as international levels. Since the first edition, the Handbook continues to serve as an important reference material and practical guide to members of the PSC, AU member states, AU institutions and the wider diplomatic community as well as researchers and organizations working on peace and security.

The annul update to the Handbook serves to document the dynamic developments in the work of the PSC and as such helps in documenting major changes and issues in the working methods, institutional arrangements and execution of mandate of the PSC during the past year. The Handbook thus operates as a living document offering up to date data and analysis on the PSC. As with past editions, Amani Africa plans to launch the 2022 edition of the Handbook in collaboration with members of the PSC and the AU Commission PAPS Department.

This third edition will accordingly be officially launched on 11 November as per the usual practice in partnership with the monthly PSC Chairperson, H.E Ambassador Emilia Mkusa, Permanent Representative of Namibia.  The launch will take place in the presence of respected members of the PSC, AU member states, AU Commission, UNOAU and the wider diplomatic community and stakeholders of the PSC.

The launch event will also be an occasion to celebrate the women members of the PSC and their leadership in advancing the peace and security agenda. To this end one segment of the event will consist of a roundtable on women, peace and security which will profile the work of the women members of the PSC. This roundtable has the central objective of celebrating the contribution and the leadership of women members in promoting peace and security in the continent. This timely roundtable is taking place in partnership with the permanent mission of Namibia to also recognize and highlight Namibia’s role in the adoption of resolution 1325 in 2000. It was indeed under Namibia’s presidency of the Security Council in October 2000 that the landmark resolution was adopted.  It is envisaged that women in leadership and women members of the PSC will share their reflection and experience on their role in promoting an inclusive peace and security order that is responsive to the agency and needs of women.

Date and time: 11 November 2022, 15-17:30 EAT

Venue: Hyatt Regency

Moderator: Ms. Neema Chusi, Ag. Head of the PSC Secretariat

Speakers:

15:00-15:10                            H.E. Ambassador Emilia Mkusa, Permanent Representative of Namibia and Chair of the PSC for the month of November

15:10-15:20                            H.E. SRSG Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General to the AU and Head of UNOAU

15:20-15:30                            H.E. Ambassador Pietro Mona, Permanent Representative of Switzerland

15:30-15:40                            Bitania Tadesse, Director of Programs, Amani Africa

Experience Sharing Roundtable on Women, Peace and Security

15:40-15:50                            H.E. Ambassador Emilia Mkusa, Permanent Representative of Namibia and Chair of the PSC for the month of November

15:50-16:00                            H.E. Ambassador Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of the Gambia

16:00-16:10                            H.E. Hope Tumukunde, Permanent Representative of Rwanda

16:10-17:20                            Discussion

17:20-17:25                            Closing remarks

17:30                                       Reception