Many years after the decision to establish a Sanctions Sub-Committee (SSC) as a subsidiary body of the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council (PSC) was floated, the process for the establishment of the body was finalized setting the stage for the launch and inaugural convening of the Sub-Committee, is taking place on 12 June 2024. The soul search that the resurgence of military coups during the past several years prompted the finalization of the process of establishment and the impending launch of PSC’s sanctions committee.

As this Sub-Committee becomes operational, there are several questions worth probing to gain clarity on how and where its role fits in the AU peace and security toolkit. One question is whether and how this committee can make a difference. The other question that arises from the first question is the kind of sanctions for which this Sub-Committee is designed for and whether it is capable of being enforced by the AU.