The African Group of States (the-A3) serving on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), has delivered its latest briefing to the AU Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC).

The A3, made up of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Liberia, in collaboration with the African Union’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN updated the AU-PSC during its 1340th meeting, chaired by Ethiopia.

Under the leadership of the current coordinator, Zeno Mukongp Ngay, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations, the group presented an overview of its latest activities.

The update emphasized efforts to enhance internal coordination and to ensure that Africa’s collective interests are effectively advanced within the UN Security Council.

In addition, Ambassador Mohamed Edrees, Head of the African Union’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN, briefed the Council on the works being undertaken by his Office to support and facilitate the work of the A-3.

The current Chair of the AU Peace and Security Council (AU-PSC) for April 2026, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the AU and UNECA, while commending the group’s unified effort in advancing Africa’s cause, urged them to work with like-minded countries to strengthen Africa’s influence within the Security Council.

Council members also commended the group’s commitment to advancing Africa’s voice in global peace and security matters. They encouraged the A3 to maintain unity and deepen collaboration with the AU’s top security body, reinforcing the link between Addis Ababa and New York.

This quarterly briefing, introduced under a PSC manual adopted in 2025, is designed to improve communication and coordination between the AU-PSC and the A3. It has become a key mechanism for information-sharing, helping Africa assert greater influence in shaping international peace and security governance.

The A3 represents Africa’s interests and serves as a bloc to speak with one voice on issues such as security in Africa, particularly regarding crises in countries like Libya and Sudan.

The A3—comprising the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Liberia—serves as a critical mechanism for advancing Africa’s collective interests within the United Nations Security Council. By coordinating their positions, the three African members amplify the continent’s voice on key global peace and security issues, ensuring that African perspectives are not fragmented but presented as a unified stance in global decision-making.

Through enhanced internal coordination, the A3 strengthens Africa’s ability to influence negotiations, shape resolutions, and advocate for solutions that reflect the realities of conflicts and development challenges on the continent. This unity is essential in a system where permanent members often dominate agenda-setting, making collective African engagement a strategic tool for balance and representation.