Statements

Statement by Mr. Louis Cheick Sissoko, Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, on the Rising Cases of Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa

Dec 09, 2025

The African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) once again reiterates its grave alarm and concern with the unprecedented wave of military coup d’etats in the West African region, and on the African continent as a whole, in recent years. This regrettable phenomenon weakens regional democratic institutions and undermines continental and regional legal instruments on governance and unconstitutional changes of government. The attempted military coup in the Republic of Benin, which follows the military takeover in Guinea Bissau, gives cause for grave concern for all Africans.ECOSOCC remains concerned with the ongoing conflicts in Sudan, DRC and across the continent. African civil society condemns the killings of civilians and the destruction of vital civilian infrastructure, which exposes our citizens to precarious situations and violate international humanitarian and human rights laws.ECOSOCC adds its voice to the statements of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and stands with civil society stakeholders in these countries. We urge national and international stakeholders to pursue peaceful dialogue to usher in lasting stability in the continent and stress that all efforts must be directed towards ensuring an environment conducive to sustainable peace and development.ECOSOCC reaffirms its call for a new social contract with a civic roadmap to reimagine democracy beyond elections and external benchmarks, thereby recognizing that Africa's democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future must be authored by African citizens themselves rooted in indigenous civic rhythms, cultural memory, ecological balance, and the unyielding aspirations of its diverse peoples.ECOSOCC is committed to work with CSOs for the effective implementation of the AU’s Agenda 2063 on: "Silencing the Guns", the African Charter of Democracy, Election and Good Governance, The Africa Facility to Support Inclusive Transitions (AFSIT), The African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and all dialogues, and mediations involving regional bodies and civil society to build sustainable peace, promote the rule of law and good governance in the continent.ECOSOCC supports calls from civil society stakeholders in West Africa for the immediate implementation of the 1st and 2nd AU Reflection Forum Declaration on Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa and accelerate the implementation of the Regional Security Sector Reform (SSR) strategy to support member states in reforming their security institutions and strengthening public trust. ...

Addis Ababa Declaration on Media, Climate, Peace, Security, and Justice Adopted at the Pre-Summit Forum to the Second Africa Climate Summit (ACS2), 6-7 September 2025

Sep 12, 2025

The Recurrence of Political Transitions in Africa: How Can Civil Society Organization (CSOs) contribute towards Political Stability?

Jul 02, 2025

ECOSOCC Statement on The Post-Election Violence in Mozambique

Jan 06, 2025

Joint EESC-AU ECOSOCC Declaration for the UN Summit of the Future

Sep 22, 2024

We, the representatives of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) and the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC), united in our commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable development, present this joint declaration at the UN Summit of the Future on this 20th September 2024. This declaration embodies our shared vision for a just, equitable, and prosperous world, based on a reinvigorated multilateral system that positively impacts people’s lives and emphasizing the crucial role of civil society in addressing global challenges.Sustainable development and financing for development The EESC and the AU ECOSOCC:- Call for an integrated and comprehensive strategy to accelerate progress on SDGs, emphasizing the need for structured involvement of civil society through clear mechanisms for consultation, collaboration and financing their activities and projects;- Emphasize the need to ensure a fair transition towards climate neutrality, focusing on decent work and eradicating poverty;- Urge for increased SDG financing and a major reform of the global financial architecture to support sustainable development;- Advocate for robust, fair and mutually beneficial trade agreements that include SDG-related clauses to avoid negative spill-overs and help countries improve their standards;- Emphasize the need to involve women's organizations in the implementation of the SDGs and address gender dimensions in just transition policies, considering the harmful impacts of climate change on women and girls;- Highlight the need to address the weaknesses of the international tax system, ensuring equal footing in decision-making, combating illicit financial flows, enhancing civil society participation, and financing climate action. This should contribute to addressing the systemic financial inequalities that hinder sustainable development;- Call for coherence to be ensured between the countries' international taxation policies and development policies;- Advocate for global financing to address climate change, mobilizing adequate and predictable climate finance to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in vulnerable countries. In relation to the debt crises, a holistic approach to debt relief is needed in order to overcome the vicious cycle of indebtedness which leads to lower investment which is then followed by increased vulnerability which will create even more debt.- Recognise the fundamental importance of food security and the need for agri-food systems to use natural resources in a sustainable way, preserving soil and water resources, combating climate change and biodiversity losses and protecting fauna and animal welfare;International Peace and Security- Urge enhancing international cooperation for conflict prevention, mediation, and resolution, with a focus on addressing the root causes of conflicts and recognising the role of civil society and media in peace and security;- Promote deeper engagement between civil societies, UN country teams, and member states, supporting capacity-building efforts and resource mobilization for peace operations. Encourage structured involvement of civil society at all levels of decision-making in policies and programmes relating to peace-building;- Emphasize the universality of human rights, upholding human rights and international humanitarian law, ensuring protection for all individuals, particularly in conflict zones;- Call for greater cohesion and coherence between defence, aid, trade and conflict resolution strategies;- Call for addressing the impact climate change induced migration on peace and security, ensuring at the same time safety nets and disaster relief services;- Highlight the need to reform the UN decision-making, including the Security Council (SC), to make it more effective in working for peace;- Welcome the UN's ambition to put special emphasis on the protection of women, children and vulnerable groups in its conflict prevention and resolution activities. To this end, major groups and other stakeholders (MGoS) should be given stronger voice, support (including financial) and recognition;Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Cooperation- Recognize the importance of science, technology, innovation, and digital cooperation;- Call for increased funding for initiatives promoting these areas and champion climate-resilient science and technology;- Call for meaningful involvement of civil society in the dialogue and efforts towards a global digital and AI governance;- Underlines that digital transformation must take place in a sustainable, human-centered and inclusive way to bring the expected economic, social and environmental benefits;Youth and Future Generations- Affirm young people as agents of change in sustainable development, human rights, peace, and security;- Strengthen youth participation at all levels and promote intergenerational interaction;- Encourage initiatives aiming at greater involvement of youth in policy-making, such as youth delegates in delegations to the UN Climate Change Conference, as well as the initiative of the UN secretary-general's envoy on youth, giving a meaningful voice to the youth;Transforming Global Governance- Recognise the imperative of equitable global governance. The UN is currently unable to sufficiently represent non-Security Council Member States. Developing countries in particular from the African continent are underrepresented. Equal representation is necessary to stabilise the consensus on shared values and norms;- Call for strengthening the UN through fundamental reform. In order to make the UN fit for the rising challenges and to stabilise the consensus on shared values and norms, UN governance has to become more representative, inclusive and effective. To ensure more equal representation, developing countries need a stronger say in the UN, including in the SC;- Call on the UN to engage in a more inclusive and transparent way with citizens, democratic civil society organisations and movements, institutions representing civil society at national and regional level, local governments, academia, other stakeholders, parliaments, subnational authorities and other official entities and offer them additional opportunities to participate, including the major groups and other stakeholders (MGoS). ...

Feb 07, 2024

The Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) has learnt with deep sadness, the passing on of H.E Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob, a stout Pan-Africanist and anti-apartheid activist who until the time of his untimely death, was the 3rd President of Namibia.ECOSOCC stands with Mrs. Monica Geingob, the government and all Namibians in mourning the passing of a man who stood to uphold the values of pan-Africanism at every opportunity.ECOSOCC will remember President Geingob on how he emphasized the importance of collaboration with civil society and the broader community during his presidency in Namibia. He encouraged dialogue and consultations with civil society organizations to foster a participatory decision-making process and incorporating diverse perspectives into policy formulation. All these collaborative efforts ensured an inclusive approach in the implementation of development projects, education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation in Namibia.President Geingob's endeavours to address land reforms, economic empowerment, and social inclusion, will stand as a highlight of his type of leadership and his legacy as a people-centric leader.On behalf of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council, I extend our deepest condolences on the passing of President Geingob. President Geingob's pan-African spirit will continue to guide us as a beacon of what good leadership ought to be.May his soul rest in peace.Khalid BoudaliPresiding OfficerECOSOCCFebruary 6, 2024 ...

ECOSOCC Presiding Officer Mr. Khalid Boudali’s Statement to the Press Following Egypt Election Observation Mission

Dec 20, 2023

ECOSOCC Statement on The Republic of Gabon

Sep 04, 2023

ECOSOCC STATEMENT ON THE REPUBLIC OF NIGER

Jul 27, 2023

Towards Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030: International and Regional Partnerships for Sustainable Development

Feb 13, 2023