Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), 8 February 2025 (SPS) – The Sahrawi Republic has decided to withdraw its candidacy for membership in the African Peace and Security Council for the 2026–2028 term in favor of the sisterly State of Libya, according to an official Note Verbal submitted by the Sahrawi Republic to the Office of the Legal Counsel of the African Union yesterday, Saturday.
According to the Note Verbal, this decision came in response to a request from the sisterly State of Libya, which called on the countries of the Northern Region to support its candidacy for this seat. In this context, the Sahrawi Republic affirmed its full support for Libya’s bid for the position.
On the other hand, the Sahrawi Republic emphasized that it responded to Libya’s request out of a sense of responsibility, in its capacity as the Dean of the Northern Region states within the African Union, as well as from the spirit of flexibility and responsibility that characterizes its approach to all issues related to African unity and the supreme interests of the Union.
The Sahrawi Republic had submitted its candidacy for membership in the African Peace and Security Council for the 2026–2028 period in mid-January, alongside the candidacies of Libya and Morocco for the same position. This candidacy received broad support and significant media attention.
On another hand, the elections in which African Union member states will vote on candidates representing the Union’s five regions are expected to take place during the 48th ordinary session of the AU Executive Council, scheduled for 11–12 February.
Several countries are competing for seats on the Council. Libya and Morocco will compete for the Northern Region seat, while the DRC and Gabon are competing from Central Africa; Comoros, Djibouti, Somalia, and Uganda from Eastern Africa; Lesotho, Malawi, and South Africa from Southern Africa; and seven countries from Western Africa are competing for three seats, namely Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
In the same context, several countries have withdrawn their candidacies from the elections due to various political considerations and regional arrangements, most notably the withdrawal of Kenya and Rwanda from the competition in the Eastern Region. (SPS)
090/500/60 (SPS)
Related blogs
