The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, has called for Women, Peace and Security (WPS) to be placed at the centre of the African Union’s institutional priorities.
Haddadi made the call at the launch of the Strategic Plan 2026–2028 of the Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security.
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Representing the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, the Deputy Chairperson said WPS should not be treated as an additional obligation, but as an integral component of the African Union’s existing mandates.
She particularly linked the WPS agenda to efforts aimed at preventing conflicts, building sustainable peace and strengthening resilient societies across the continent.
According to her, the effective implementation of WPS commitments requires greater institutional coherence and accountability within the African Union system.
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She stressed the need for WPS principles and commitments to be reflected in AU policies, programmes, resource allocation and performance measurement.
Haddadi also called for collective action involving the African Union Commission, AU organs, Member States, regional institutions, civil society organisations and development partners to ensure that commitments translate into measurable outcomes.
“Women, Peace and Security is not an additional obligation placed upon the Union. It is part of delivering effectively on mandates we already have,” she said.
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She added that the African Union could not credibly pursue conflict prevention, peacebuilding and resilient societies without fully recognising the leadership, experiences and contributions of women.
The Strategic Plan 2026–2028 is expected to provide a framework for strengthening the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda and advancing tangible results for women and girls across Africa.