Sierra Leone has been re-elected to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) for the 2026–2027 term, cementing its position as a leading voice on continental security and diplomacy.

President Julius Maada Bio announced the milestone on social media, stating: “Today marks a historic milestone as Sierra Leone is re-elected for a second term to the African Union’s Peace and Security Council, showcasing our unwavering dedication to fostering peace across the subregion. I am truly honored by the confidence placed in us once again. Together, we are actively shaping a brighter, more peaceful Africa.”

The re-election follows unanimous endorsement by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) during an extraordinary mediation and security council meeting at ministerial level, presided over by Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister Alhaji Timothy Kabba.

Sierra Leone is one of four countries seeking consecutive terms on the 15-member council, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Côte d’Ivoire .

Related News

The election of ten members for two-year terms was on the agenda of the 48th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, held 11–12 February in Addis Ababa, with formal endorsement expected from the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on 14–15 February.

The AUPSC is the continent’s premier body for conflict prevention, management and resolution. Sierra Leone’s renewed mandate builds on an active tenure that included Ambassador Harald Bundu Saffa serving as Council Chairperson for May 2025, during which he chaired a high-level session on Security Sector Reform .

Speaking after the ECOWAS endorsement, Minister Kabba expressed gratitude for the trust placed in Sierra Leone’s leadership. He acknowledged President Bio’s guidance as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, noting that his stewardship has “profoundly influenced our foreign affairs strategy and amplified our influence in global forums”.

The re-election coincides with Sierra Leone’s concurrent leadership of the African Union’s Committee of Ten (C-10) on United Nations Security Council reform.

Ambassador Michael Imran Kanu, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the UN, chairs the C-10, which coordinates Africa’s unified position demanding two permanent seats with veto powers and five non-permanent seats in any expanded Security Council.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently praised Sierra Leone’s “pivotal role” in advancing the African stance, as articulated in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration, calling Security Council reform essential to correcting “historical injustice” against the continent.

During its first term, Sierra Leone prioritized stability in the Sahel region. Ambassador Saffa reaffirmed in October 2025 that with President Bio as ECOWAS Chair, Sierra Leone remains “acutely aware” of Sahelian developments and has been actively engaging with regional leaders to advance peace and cooperation .

Minister Kabba commended Sierra Leone’s diplomatic missions in Abuja and Addis Ababa for their “relentless” advocacy in advancing President Bio’s foreign policy vision, describing their efforts as “instrumental in achieving this milestone”

With this second term, Sierra Leone is positioned to deepen its involvement in African initiatives on conflict resolution, preventive diplomacy, and collaborative security frameworks, reinforcing its status as a key diplomatic actor on both continental and global stages.