The African Union and the European Union have demanded an immediate and unconditional end to the fighting in Sudan and the full withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, in a joint position set out at their 17th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting in Addis Ababa on November 6.

Source: EEAS — AU-EU joint communique

The meeting brought together the AU Peace and Security Council and the EU Political and Security Committee, a day after a joint retreat on November 5 focused on maritime security, terrorism and violent extremism, artificial intelligence and the role of women in peacebuilding.

The consultations were co-chaired by Ambassador Antonin B. Bieke of Cote d'Ivoire, who chairs the AU council for November 2026, and Ambassador Lene Mandel Vensild, the permanent chair of the EU committee, with senior officials including AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye in attendance.

Source: QNC News

Sudan: no military solution, outside help must stop

On Sudan, the two blocs condemned the destruction caused by the war and its impact on civilians and public infrastructure, and insisted that neither side can secure a lasting solution through military action. They called for unrestricted humanitarian access, a sustainable ceasefire and a return to negotiations leading to inclusive national dialogue and a civilian-led political transition.

They also demanded that external actors stop supplying military and financial assistance to the warring parties, rejected attempts to create a parallel government, and restated their commitment to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Sudan.

Source: EEAS — AU-EU joint communique

The humanitarian stakes were underlined this week by UN agencies: 15.4 million people in Sudan need emergency shelter, but agencies say they can reach only about one in ten of them, and their warehouses are now empty. Read the Sudan shelter warning

Eastern Congo: implement Resolution 2773

On eastern Congo, the councils expressed concern over continued fighting, the worsening humanitarian situation and reports of serious violations of international law, including international humanitarian law, and of violations and abuses of human rights, including by the March 23 Movement (M23) and other armed groups. Those reports are set out in the joint communique; they have not been adjudicated.

Source: EEAS — AU-EU joint communique

They demanded full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773 of 2025, including the unconditional withdrawal of the Rwandan Defence Forces from Congolese territory and an end to support for M23, and called on the Congolese military to stop supporting armed groups, particularly the FDLR. They also condemned the establishment of a parallel administration by M23, backed its dismantling, and supported an AU-led mediation process and the disarmament, demobilisation, cantonment and repatriation of FDLR elements.

Source: QNC News

17thAU-EU annual joint consultative meeting
2773 (2025)UN Security Council resolution on eastern Congo
2719 (2023)UN Security Council resolution on AU mission financing
2027Next joint meeting — Brussels

Somalia, the Sahel and what happens next

The meeting praised the Somali government, the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia, known as AUSSOM, and the countries providing troops and police for their work against Al Shabaab, but warned that financial constraints could undermine the mission. The two sides proposed reliable long-term financing through United Nations assessed contributions, Security Council Resolution 2719 of 2023 and the AU Peace Fund. They also raised concern over terrorism across the Sahel and over equipment shortages facing the Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Basin.

The two organisations also restated their unwavering support for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Ukraine and the occupied Palestinian Territory. Both sides restated the importance of the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas, and agreed to hold their 10th informal joint retreat and 18th annual joint consultative meeting in Brussels in 2027. No response from Rwanda or from Sudan's warring parties was included in the meeting reports.

Source: EEAS — AU-EU joint communique

What is solid

  • The AU Peace and Security Council and the EU Political and Security Committee held their 17th annual joint consultative meeting in Addis Ababa on November 6, 2026, according to the EEAS joint communique.
  • The communique calls for full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025), including the unconditional withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Forces from DRC territory.
  • The two sides agreed to hold their next informal retreat and 18th annual meeting in Brussels in 2027.

What is only claimed

  • The reports of serious violations of international law by M23 and other armed groups are allegations recorded in the communique, not adjudicated findings.
  • Whether the warring parties in Sudan, Rwanda or M23 will act on the demands is untested — no response from them was included in the meeting reports.