The PSC's provisional agenda for October 2018
In October the PSC will discuss the situations in South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho and the Great Lakes region.
In October 2018 the Peace and Security Council (PSC) will look into the situations in South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho and the Great Lakes region. The PSC will be chaired by His Excellency Lazare Makayat Safouesse, ambassador of the Republic of Congo to Ethiopia and permanent representative to the African Union (AU).
Key activities on the PSC’s agenda in October will be to examine the continental framework for structural conflict prevention and the establishment of a Mediation Support Unit in the AU Commission (AUC). The PSC will also continue to review the harmonisation of the African Standby Force (ASF) and the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crises (ACIRC). In addition, it will commemorate United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolution 1325 of October 2000, which reaffirms the central role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and the need for their full participation in addressing matters of peace and security.
The PSC will continue to review the harmonisation of the African Standby Force and ACIRC
The PSC will hold its ninth High-Level Retreat on the Promotion of Peace, Security and Stability in Africa, under the theme ‘Strengthening the African Union’s conflict prevention and peacemaking efforts’,from 29–31 October.
Briefing on the situation in South Sudan
On 10 October the PSC will hold a joint briefing by the commissioner for peace and security and the UN under-secretary for peacekeeping on their joint visit to South Sudan. This meeting follows the signing on 12 September 2018 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan between rivals President Salva Kiir and former vice-president Riek Machar. This happens against the backdrop of a South Sudanese context that remains tense and characterised by mistrust.
Reports on the situations in Guinea-Bissau and Lesotho
 The PSC will consider the reports of its field missions to Guinea-Bissau and Lesotho |
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Again on 10 October, the PSC will consider the reports of the PSC field missions to Guinea-Bissau and Lesotho. Guinea-Bissau has been rocked by recurrent political instability and is expected to hold legislative elections in November 2018. Political strife has gripped Lesotho since August 2014, although with the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) efforts a national dialogue process has begun in the country.
The Great Lakes and the DRC
On 17 October the PSC will look into the Great Lakes region, covering a variety of delicate situations including the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) problematic upcoming elections and the deplorable humanitarian conditions in regions affected by conflict and Ebola. The council might convene a specific meeting on the DRC at a date still to be determined.
Provisional agenda for October 2018
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Date
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Agenda
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1 October 2018
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Briefing on the continental framework for structural conflict prevention in line with the 502nd meeting of the PSC on 29 April 2015
Preparation for the annual joint consultative meeting between the AU PSC and the EU Political and Security Committee (COPS) (Brussels)
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2 October 2018
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Briefing on the establishment of a Mediation Support Unit in the AU Commission
Consideration and adoption of the draft provisional programme of work of the PSC for November 2018
Preparation for the PSC retreat
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10 October 2018
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Joint briefing by the commissioner for peace and security and the UN under-secretary for peacekeeping on their joint visit to South Sudan
Consideration of the reports of the PSC field missions to Guinea-Bissau and Lesotho
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11–12 October 2018
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Specialised Technical Committee for Defence, Safety and Security
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15 October 2018
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Briefing on the Joint Summit of Heads of the Economic Community of Central African States and the Economic Community of West African States held in Lomé on 30 July 2018
Continuation of preparation for the annual joint meeting between the AU PSC and the EU COPS
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17 October 2018
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Briefing on the situation in the Great Lakes region
Continuation of preparation for the PSC retreat
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19 October 2018
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Celebration of Resolution 1325 of the UN Security Council
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22–24 October 2018
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Joint meeting between the AU PSC and EU COPS in Brussels
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26 October 2018
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Continuation of the preparation for the PSC retreat
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29–31 October 2018
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PSC retreat
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Items with unspecified dates
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Briefing by the Military Staff Committee on the harmonisation of ASF and ACIRC (date to be confirmed)
Consultations will be held to set a date for consultation between the PSC and the Panel of the Wise
Briefing on the situation in the DRC could be added to the programme during the course of the month
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