The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) have called for an immediate halt to fighting in Sudan and the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), at their annual security meeting in Addis Ababa. The demands were made during the 17th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the AU Peace and Security Council and the EU Political and Security Committee, held in the Ethiopian capital on 6 November. The meeting followed a joint retreat the previous day, covering maritime security, terrorism, artificial intelligence and women in peacebuilding.

Sudan and eastern DRC

On Sudan, they demanded an immediate and unconditional end to hostilities, saying neither side could win a lasting solution by force. They also backed lasting solutions to conflicts in Sudan, eastern DRC, Ukraine and the Palestinian Territory. On eastern DRC, they expressed concern over continued fighting, the worsening humanitarian situation and alleged violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by armed groups, including M23. They demanded full implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2773 (2025), including the unconditional withdrawal of Rwandan forces from DRC territory and an end to their support for M23. The meeting also called for the M23-backed parallel administration to be dismantled and backed the disarmament, demobilisation and repatriation of FDLR fighters.

Somalia, the Sahel and next steps

The talks were co-chaired by Ambassador Antonin B. Bieke of Côte d'Ivoire, chairing the AU Peace and Security Council for November, and Ambassador Lene Mandel Vensild, Permanent Chair of the EU Political and Security Committee. They also called for more international support for peace operations in Somalia. Their next retreat and consultative meeting will be held in Brussels in 2027. The talks follow the 7th AU-EU Summit in Luanda in November 2025, which renewed commitments on governance, peace and security.

[Source: Radio Generation](https://radiogeneration.co.ke/sudan-drc-and-sahel-crises-top-au-eu-security-meeting-in-addis-ababa-48729) | [Source: Capital FM](https://capitalfm.africa/ai-terrorism-top-au-eu-security-talks-in-addis-ababa/)