By: Julius Konton
Morocco has been elected to a new two-year term on the African Union’s Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) following a decisive first-round vote held Wednesday in Addis Ababa, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing diplomatic influence across the continent.
The North African nation secured 34 votes more than two-thirds of ballots cast during elections conducted on the margins of the 48th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, a result that reflects broad confidence among African states in Morocco’s approach to continental peace and security.
A Strategic Return to Africa’s Top Security Body
Since rejoining the African Union in 2017, Morocco has steadily expanded its footprint within the bloc’s political and security institutions.
This latest victory marks the third time the Kingdom has been elected to the AU’s highest conflict-management organ in less than a decade.
Morocco previously served a two-year term from 2018 to 2020, followed by a three-year mandate from 2022 to 2025, making the current election a continuation of its sustained engagement in Africa’s peace and security architecture.
Diplomatic observers note that repeated re-election to the 15-member council whose members are chosen based on regional balance, commitment to constitutional governance, and contributions to peacekeeping signals long-term trust in Morocco’s diplomatic posture.
Role of the AU Peace and Security Council
Established in 2004, the Peace and Security Council functions as the standing decision-making body of the African Union for the prevention, management, and resolution of conflicts.
It oversees peace support operations, authorizes mediation efforts, and responds to unconstitutional changes of government.
The council operates against a challenging backdrop.
According to AU and UN data, over one-third of African countries have experienced armed conflict or political instability in the past decade, with the Sahel, Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes regions remaining persistent flashpoints.
In this context, experienced and diplomatically active members are increasingly viewed as essential to stabilizing the continent.
Morocco’s Diplomatic Approach
During its previous mandates, Morocco has positioned itself as an advocate of inclusive dialogue, institutional reform, and African-led solutions, working alongside other PSC members to refine early-warning mechanisms and strengthen coordination with regional economic communities.
Rabat has also expanded its diplomatic presence across Africa, reopening embassies, increasing development cooperation, and participating in peacekeeping and mediation initiatives widely seen as reinforcing its credentials within AU institutions.
High-Level Participation Ahead of AU Summit
Morocco is participating in the ongoing Executive Council session with a high-level delegation led by Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, whose ministry has played a central role in advancing the country’s African policy.
The Executive Council meeting precedes the 39th African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for February 14–15, where security crises, governance reforms, and the future of continental integration are expected to dominate the agenda.
Morocco’s renewed presence on the Peace and Security Council comes at a critical moment for the African Union, as it confronts rising insecurity, coups, humanitarian crises, and debates over institutional reform.
With its latest election secured by a commanding margin, Morocco is set to remain a prominent voice in shaping Africa’s collective response to conflict and instability over the next two years reinforcing its role as a key diplomatic actor within the African Union.
