The Beninese diplomacy is on the verge of marking a historic moment on the continental stage. Starting in September 2026, Benin will assume the rotating presidency of the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (PSC) for the entire month. Final preparations for this handover were discussed in Addis Ababa between Benin’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Corinne Amori Brunet, and the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, during the 49th session of the Executive Council.
An influential role within a two-year mandate
This monthly presidency is part of Benin’s broader two-year mandate (2026–2028) secured on the PSC on February 11 of this year. Seven months after its election as one of the 15 member states of this pivotal decision-making body, Cotonou will now steer the continent’s primary crisis monitoring, prevention, and management platform.
While the rotating presidency does not grant unilateral decision-making power, it elevates the host country to a central position in continental diplomacy. Key responsibilities include:
- Setting priorities: Benin will craft the monthly agenda, selecting urgent themes for discussion across sessions.
- Addressing hotspots: The presidency allows Cotonou to prioritize consultations on pressing conflicts, including the Sahel crisis, the Sudan conflict, and instability in the Horn of Africa.
- Strengthening collaboration: The country will facilitate coordination 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 Benin’s PSC presidency aligns with the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. This rare overlap provides a strategic opportunity for Beninese diplomacy to elevate African perspectives on security and governance directly to the global stage.