Dawit Yirga

Happening now: Ministerial Meeting on United Nations Security Council Reform & the Use of Veto being co-chaired by Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary & French Foreign Minister. No less than 15 African ministers present, with Sierra Leone as Chairperson of the C10 on the high table.

AUC_PAPS #PSOD, led by Gen. Cheick Dembele, convened a technical experts’ consultative session in #Gaborone, 🇧🇼 (27-29 Apr 2026), bringing together #AU, @UN & partners to review and harmonize frameworks guiding AU Peace Support Operations. The session refined and aligned key #AU #PSO frameworks, preparing them for consideration at the Military Staff Committee level, ensuring they reflect evolving realities, partnerships & financing frameworks. #AfricanUnion #PeaceOperations

Tomorrow afternoon (29 April), #UNSC members will hold closed consultations on UN peacekeeping operations. ◻ Briefer: USG @UNPeacekeeping @Lacroix_UN ◻ Requested by: @Denmark_UN and @PakistanUN_NY → Read more: bit.ly/4dbVni5

Now posted on our website: "As Secretary-General candidates are encouraged to act under Article 99, how frequently has this power been used?" LINK: scprocedure.org/chapter-3-sect…

Remarques par M. @elghassimw : Session ouverte du Conseil de paix et de sécurité de l’Union africaine sur le thème: « Les opérations de soutien à la paix en Afrique », Addis-Abeba (Éthiopie), 27 avril 2026 amaniafrica-et.org/remarques-par-…

During her GA dialogue & with press Rebeca Grynspan said that if elected, she herself might attend #UNSC consultations rather than "outsourcing" this to another UN official. What is the background to SGs attending SC consultations? See our explainer: scprocedure.org/chapter-2-sect…

A profound honour, on behalf of the C-10 Coordinator H.E. President @julius_maadabio, to present the African Model on @UN Security Council Reform at the Structured Dialogue of the General Assembly’s Intergovernmental Negotiations (#IGN). Endorsed at the highest political level by the @_AfricanUnion Assembly, the African Model is not new, it is the consolidated expression of decades of principled advocacy under the Common African Position as articulated in the #EzulwiniConsensus and #SirteDeclaration. For too long, Africa has been central to the work of the Security Council, yet excluded from its permanent category of membership. The historical injustice is no longer tenable, politically, morally, or institutionally. The African Model sets out a comprehensive pathway for reform across all clusters: expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories, equitable regional representation, a more democratic and transparent Council, and a principled position on the veto, if it exists, it must be extended to all permanent members, including Africa. The Pact for the Future reaffirmed what Africa has long maintained: that Africa must be treated as a special case and priority. The task before us now is to translate that commitment into an outcome. Africa stands ready, united, prepared, and engaged, to move this process from rhetoric to results, from process to progress, and from historical imbalance to equitable representation. The time for decisive reform is now. @SierraLeoneUN

Great pleasure to collaborate with @africa_amani on this policy paper, following my participation in the High-Level pre-#AUSummit Policy Dialogue on “The role of the A3+: Insights from Sierra Leone’s UN Security Council Membership.” A timely brief reflecting on Sierra Leone’s (2024-2025) tenure on the @UN Security Council, and the evolving role of the A3+ in shaping more coherent, principled, and strategic African engagement in global peace and security. #A3Plus #UNSC #Africa #Multilateralism @SierraLeoneUN

On Monday, 20 April 2026, the #AfricanReformModel on @UN Security Council Reform will be presented during the Intergovernmental Negotiations (#IGN) Structured Dialogue (CR2, 10:00–13:00 & 15:00–18:00). This marks an important step in a long and principled journey toward reforming the Security Council and rectifying the historic injustice against Africa. The Model, endorsed by African Heads of State and Government at the 39th @_AfricanUnion Assembly, follows the report of the C-10 Coordinator, H.E. President @julius_maadabio, and reflects Africa’s unified and legitimate aspirations. 🔗 journal.un.org/en/meeting/off… #UNSCReform #CommonAfricanPosition #EzulwiniConcensus #SirteDeclaration #C10

La dynamique en faveur de la paix dans l’est de la RDC se renforce 🤝 #CIRGL, la République Démocratique du Congo et AFC/M23 signent un MoU pour renforcer la vérification du cessez-le-feu. 🔗 Communiqué de presse : icglr.org/wp-content/upl…

#Aujourdhui @FKMohammed1 a reçu l'Amb James Swan #RSSG et Chef de la @MONUSCO, suite à son arrivée à #Kinshasa. Les échanges ont porté sur les priorités politique et sécuritaire, et le renforcement de la collaboration entre @ONU_fr et @_AfricanUnion en #RDC.

Tomorrow I'll have the honor of presenting the new Action for Peacekeeping Plus initiative at the International Peace Institute. Grateful for continuous support from Member States & partners to this initiative that drives more effective, agile & accountable @UN peacekeeping ops.

💡Security Council Report’s (@SCRtweets) new research report, “𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓, 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒉 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑵𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝑺𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒚‑𝑮𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍”, analyses the unfolding selection process for the next UN Secretary‑General against the backdrop of shifting power dynamics and heightened geopolitical tensions. It outlines the formal rules and informal practices shaping the process, draws lessons from previous cycles and recent developments, and identifies key challenges and options related to engagement with the candidates, straw polls, and Security Council–General Assembly dynamics. 👉 bit.ly/4vyQI0Y SCR thanks the government of @JapanMissionUN and @FESonline for their financial support of this project, and all colleagues who shared their perspectives on the topics and issues covered in the report.

At today’s @UN General Assembly IGN Plenary on the #veto, on behalf of the Coordinator of the C-10 H.E. President @julius_maadabio, I reaffirmed Africa’s principled and longstanding position under the Common African Position. Africa supports the abolition of the veto in principle. However, so long as the veto remains, justice and fairness demand that it cannot continue as the exclusive preserve of current permanent members. African permanent members must enjoy the same prerogatives and responsibilities. The debate on Article 27(3) of the UN Charter further underscores a critical point: the challenge before us is not one of interpretation, but of implementation. The requirement that a party to a dispute abstain from voting must be applied consistently and in good faith. Commitments under the Pact for the Future, including on responsible decision-making in the Security Council, should now translate into practice. Responsible use of the veto can contribute to restoring credibility, enhancing accountability, and enabling timely responses to global crises. The veto remains central to the broader question of Security Council reform. Africa will continue to engage constructively, guided by the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, toward a more just, representative, and effective Council.

M. James Swan, nouveau RSSG en #RDC et Chef de la #MONUSCO, est arrivé ce matin au quartier général de la Mission à #Kinshasa. Accueilli par une garde d’honneur, il a ensuite rencontré le personnel, marquant ainsi une nouvelle étape dans l'engagement pour la paix en #RDC.

I am profoundly saddened by the passing of Ambassador Konjit Sene Giorgis, a doyenne of Ethiopia's modern diplomacy. We remain forever grateful for her role in the founding of the OAU and the subsequent transition to the AU. More than her vast achievements, it was her unyielding love for Ethiopia and the African cause that defined her. Konjit was the companion we leaned on for wisdom, and she will be remembered for her impeccable service and held in the highest reverence.

Thank you so much, @jattamensah. This is an excellent tribute. Beautifully written.

The ceremony also observed a minute of silence in honor of the late Ambassador Kongist Sienegiorgis, a distinguished Ethiopian diplomat who dedicated her life to the African Union. She served with distinction until her final days, including as Chair of the Panel of Eminent Persons, leaving behind a legacy of commitment to Africa’s peace, unity, and diplomacy. 🧵4/

Amani Africa joins all those who knew and worked with H.E. Ambassador Kongit Sinegiorgis in mourning her passing and paying tribute to her incredible & distinguished contributions to Ethiopian and African diplomacy since the founding of the OAU in 1963. As an institution that benefited from the support of Ambassador Kongit, including in her leading role for the inagural edition of Amani Africa Training Institute on the @_AfricanUnion, we remember her contribution to our organisation with utmost gratitude. Thanks to her towering standing and roles, Ambassador Kongit will be remembered for her outstanding integrity, institutional memort, deep knowledge, hard work and mastery of not just multilateral norms & processes but also diplomatic etiquette that earned her widespread respect & reverece from all who knew and worked with her including in the context of the @_AfricanUnion where she served as Chairperson of the PRC and the PSC. Most recently, when she chaired the Panel of Eminent Persons on the Election of the members of the AU Commission, she stood firm in safeguarding the established AU rules in the face of political pressure, in a signature principled consistency & unwavering committment to rules and transparency. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and all those Ambassdor Kongit mentored & inspired. May she rest in eternal peace, and may her memory continue to educate and inspire!

Statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on the Passing of Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis of #Ethiopia. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has received with profound sorrow the news of the passing of Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis, a distinguished diplomat, a pioneering figure in Ethiopia’s foreign service, and a steadfast Pan-Africanist who dedicated her life to the service of her country and the continent. Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis built an exemplary career that spanned several decades. As one of Ethiopia’s earliest female ambassadors, she helped pave the way for generations of African women in diplomacy. Her service reflected her unwavering commitment to advancing Africa's interests and strengthening international cooperation, where she played a vital role in promoting the continent’s collective priorities. The Chairperson noted, “Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis embodied the highest ideals of African diplomacy, marked by integrity, excellence, and an unyielding commitment to our shared future.” He further emphasised that “her legacy will continue to inspire generations of African diplomats, particularly women, to serve with courage, distinction, and purpose.” On behalf of the African Union Commission, the Chairperson @ymahmoudali extends his deepest condolences to the family of Ambassador Konjit Sinegiorgis, to the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and to all Africans who mourn this great loss. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleas… @MFAEthiopia @PMEthiopia @AbiyAhmedAli