Benin to lead african union peace and security council in september 2026
The Beninese diplomacy is on the verge of marking a historic moment on the African continent. Starting September 2026, Bénin will assume the rotating presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC). The final preparations for this role were deliberated in Addis-Abeba during discussions between the Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Corinne Amori Brunet, and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the sidelines of the 49th session of the Executive Council.
A pivotal role within a two-year mandate
This one-month presidency is part of Bénin‘s two-year mandate (2026-2028) secured within the PSC on February 11th. Seven months after its election as one of the 15 member states of this decision-making body, Cotonou will now steer the continent’s primary crisis prevention and management institution.
While the rotating presidency does not grant unilateral decision-making powers, it elevates the host country to a central position in continental diplomacy:
- Agenda-setting: Bénin will craft the monthly session agenda and select key themes for discussions.
- Spotlight on urgent cases: Cotonou will guide debates on major hotspots, including the Sahel crisis, the Sudan conflict, and instability in the Horn of Africa.
- Institutional coordination: The country will lead interactions with other AU structures, such as the Panel of the Wise and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
A global platform during the UN General Assembly
The timing of Bénin‘s PSC presidency in September aligns with the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This convergence presents a prime opportunity for Beninese diplomacy to advocate for African positions on security and governance directly at the global level.
