Bénin is set to mark a historic moment in its diplomatic journey when it assumes the rotating presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the entire month of September 2026. This milestone follows intensive preparatory talks held in Addis-Abeba, where the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Corinne Amori Brunet, engaged with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on the sidelines of the 49th session of the Executive Council.
An influential two-year mandate begins
This monthly leadership role is part of Bénin’s broader two-year tenure (2026–2028) secured within the PSC on February 11 of this year. Seven months into its elected term among the 15-member decision-making body, Cotonou is now positioned to guide an institution dedicated to monitoring, preventing, and addressing crises across the continent.
While the rotating presidency does not grant unilateral decision-making power, it positions Bénin at the heart of continental diplomacy:
- Agenda-setting authority: Cotonou will determine the session topics and highlight critical discussions for the month.
- Focus on urgent crises: The country will steer discussions on pressing regional tensions, including the Sahel instability, the Sudan conflict, and unrest in the Horn of Africa.
- Institutional coordination: Bénin will facilitate dialogue between the PSC and 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 aligns strategically with the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This rare overlap will allow Cotonou to elevate African perspectives on security and governance directly to the world stage, amplifying the continent’s voice in global forums.
