Objectives and Missions

The PSCC contributes to peace and human security on the continent through dialogue and trust-building measures. In doing so, it also stimulates and shapes inclusive policy debates promoting people-centered approaches to peace and common security in Africa and globally.

The PSCC encourages trust and confidence building by …

• convening periodic regional peace and security dialogues hosting policy experts drawn from government and political parties, academia, and civil society to identify trends, deepen analysis, and propose innovative inclusive approaches to the promotion of common security in Africa in a changing global context
• bringing together stakeholders from diverse backgrounds for processes of joint deliberation and exchange on pressing questions concerning sustainable peace and human security
• maintaining and continuously expanding networks of like-minded actors and policymakers working on African peace and security
• hosting webinars – PSCC Talk – on topical issues arising from current events.
• creating platforms for meaningful conversations between African and European policy and decisionmakers on more effective collaboration to strengthen peace and human security in Africa and globally
• tracking sub-regional and continental debates on peace and security in Africa and beyond, as well as global discourse on peace and security on the continent
• conveying trend analyses of discourses to FES offices and their partners, as well as to policy circles in Germany, the European Union, the United Nations, and other bodies and members of the international community.

The PSCC functions as a hub …

• linking together national-level and sub-regional activities and work lines on peace and security by FES offices on the continent,
• availing systematic information on FES work on peace and security to country offices on the continent and relevant units and desks at headquarters, in New York and Brussels
• offering strategic guidance to FES offices on peace and security-related work lines in alignment with thematic focal areas and the 4+2 advisory fields
• stimulating cooperation and synergies between country offices and centres (e.g. migration, gender justice and African Union) on peace and security- related themes
• coordinating the PoA on African-led International Peace Support Operations.

Regional dialogues, roundtable formats and working group processes are informed by, and in turn stimulate analysis and policy proposals. The PSCC’s analytical output aims to contextualize policy conversations against the background of:

• How peace and security dynamics at local and national level are interwoven across borders and sea ways to produce regional security complexes.
• How geopolitical dynamics and global shifts, notably multipolarity, shape peace and security on the continent.
• How the continent and its security actors insert themselves into the global peace and security arena.

What does the PSCC offer to partners, like-minded actors, and policymakers?

• platforms and fora for frank exchange, inclusive deliberation and innovative thinking
• access to FES’ wide network of allies, decisionmakers and subject matter experts on the continent and globally
• timely updates, commentary and analyses on discourses and emerging trends on peace and security on the continent for colleagues, partners and a policy audience
• due to the proximity to the region, specific expertise and policy exchange on the conflict situation in the Sahel in close cooperation with the respective offices located in the region

What does the PSCC need from other FES Offices?

1. Periodic updates on national work lines and partnerships related to peace, conflict and security
2. Suggestions on experts on peace and conflict, or national or regional developments shaping security and conflict dynamics
3. Alerts on national or regional developments requiring attention at continental or international level or present notable opportunities for cross- border cooperation

Strategic PSCC work lines 2025 - 2028

Three themes provide a strategic framework for the work of the PSCC and shape its public profile.

1. The future of peace-making in a changing global order
2. Political orders and human security
3. (Multi-, pluri, and bi-lateral ) African cooperative security architectures

“Women, peace and security”, youth engagement and climate security are cross-cutting themes that are being integrated into all PSCC activities where feasible.