The African Union summit in Luanda should formally declare a state of emergency in response to the continent's ongoing conflict situations, according to the Addis Ababa-based policy group Amani Africa.
In a statement published on Sunday, Amani Africa argued that the scale and severity of current crises warrant an emergency declaration from the bloc's heads of state and government. The group's call comes as leaders gather in the Angolan capital for the 21st Assembly of AU Heads of State and Government.
The summit, which has drawn participation from across the continent, is taking place against a backdrop of multiple active conflicts. Amani Africa's recommendation reflects growing concern among policy analysts that the AU's standard response mechanisms are insufficient for the current scale of instability.
The call aligns with broader themes emerging from the summit. Several delegations have emphasized the need for more robust continental action on peace and security. Morocco's foreign minister, for instance, stressed in Luanda the importance of placing conflict prevention at the center of African peace and security efforts. Meanwhile, the AU Commission chairperson has been holding bilateral meetings on the margins of the summit, including a courtesy call from Eswatini's prime minister.
Amani Africa's proposal for an emergency declaration would, if adopted, signal a more urgent and coordinated approach to conflict resolution across the continent. The group has not specified which particular conflicts it believes should be covered by such a declaration.
Observers will be watching whether the Luanda summit's final communiqué incorporates the emergency declaration proposal, or whether member states opt for a more measured response to the continent's security challenges.
