The security threats arising from the combined effects of accelerated natural resource exploitation and a booming trade in arms are at alarming levels, according to a joint statement issued by the peace and security councils of the AU and EU.
The European Union Political and Security Committee (EU PSC) and the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) held their sixteenth annual joint consultative meeting in Brussels this week.
In a statement issued following the meeting, both sides expressed concern over the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) into the region and called for concerted efforts to curb the illicit flow of SALW including through the provision of the requisite capacity building for countries.
They underscored the importance of fighting against the supply of sophisticated weapons to terrorist groups and financing terrorism, including illicit financial flows and exploitation of natural resources, through targeted and coordinated actions aimed at preventing, tracing, recovering and ensuring the return of proceeds of illicit financial flows to countries of origin.
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They also raised concern about the destabilizing presence of transnational criminal organizations, mercenaries and irregular private military companies connected to third states and the spillover of insecurity towards West African coastal countries.
Both parties emphasized their commitments to break the cycle of violence in the African continent and reiterated their pledges to support efforts in the area of Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD.
On Somalia, the EU PSC and the AU PSC expressed grave concern over the persistent threat posed by Al-Shabaab to peace, security and stability in Somalia and the region. The statement paid tribute to the AU Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) and Somali Security Forces for their enduring commitment and sacrifices; and expressed condolences to the families of the AUSSOM personnel who have paid the supreme sacrifice in the cause of peace and stability in Somalia.
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Both sides welcomed the launch of the AUSSOM and encouraged the AU to fully deploy its new mission, completing the transition from ATMIS to AUSSOM. They noted that AUSSOM is critical for the peace, security and stability in Somalia and stressed that without adequate, predictable and sustainable funding including the provision of sufficient force multipliers and enablers, the mission may have major difficulties executing its mandate.
They reiterated the call for diversification of support by international partners in order to guarantee the long-term financial stability of the mission and to ensure the effective implementation of its mandate, as illustrated at the High-level AUSSOM financing event on 25 September 2025. Both sides welcomed the AU contribution to the financing of AUSSOM and the pledges made by both traditional and non-traditional donors.
On the situation in Sudan, the EU PSC and the AU PSC reaffirmed their strong commitment to respect the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan.
Both sides expressed deep concern over the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They called on the belligerent parties to immediately cease hostilities and establish a sustainable, permanent ceasefire to return to negotiations followed by an inclusive national dialogue and political transition.
They further urged the parties to establish a humanitarian truce to allow for humanitarian access and protection of civilians, so as to provide relief to the population in need.
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