On 3 August 2026, the African Union Peace and Security Council will gather for its 1357th meeting to address the pressing issue of education in conflict situations. This session is part of the Council’s annual open discussions on the topic. The meeting will begin with opening remarks from Mohamed Khaled, the Permanent Representative of Algeria to the AU and the current PSC Chairperson for August 2026. He will be followed by a statement from Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security. These two speeches will set the tone for the discussions ahead.
The session will include presentations from key figures involved in education and child welfare. Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, and Amma A. Twum-Amoah, Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, will present their insights. Their contributions will help assess progress on past mandates and highlight any remaining gaps in policy development and implementation.
Jainaba Jagne, AU Special Envoy for Children Affected by Armed Conflict, will also take part in the meeting. She was appointed to this role on 1 February 2026, a move that fulfills a long-standing demand from the PSC. As the AU’s lead political advocate for children impacted by conflict, Jagne will focus on addressing violations that block access to education. Her presence at the session will likely play a central role in shaping and monitoring future policies.
Policy and Legal Frameworks
In its last session, the PSC tasked the AU Commission with creating a policy framework to protect and provide education during conflicts. It also required the Commission to issue periodic reports on harmful practices, particularly those that involve child marriage and other violations in conflict zones. The Council further requested a comprehensive matrix of AU legal tools, strategies, and initiatives aimed at supporting inclusive education and learning continuity during conflict. This should be accompanied by an action plan, starting in 2025.
Recent developments at the AU level have further strengthened its policy environment. The AU Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa, launched in October 2025, includes six strategic frameworks. These provide a roadmap for education transformation. A high-level consultation in February 2026 helped solidify implementation mechanisms, offering clearer governance and monitoring arrangements.
At the international level, UN Security Council Resolution 2601 (2021) has reinforced the protection of education infrastructure. The resolution condemns attacks on schools, emphasizes the civilian nature of educational institutions, and calls for the uninterrupted continuation of education during conflicts. This global policy support complements the AU’s goals and gives added weight to its efforts in safeguarding education for African children.
Urgency and Impact of Disruption
Recent data from the Education Cannot Wait Global Estimates in June 2026 underscores the severity of the issue. Globally, 258 million school-aged children and adolescents are affected by crises, with 93 million out of school entirely. Africa alone accounts for 128 million children in 38 countries impacted by these disruptions. While the figures measure different aspects of disruption, they collectively highlight a growing crisis.
The upcoming session will focus on four key priorities. The first is to ensure the protection of education by implementing the Safe Schools Declaration at the national level. This includes strengthening early warning systems, improving reporting and investigation procedures, and safeguarding students, teachers, and educational facilities. The second priority is maintaining learning continuity through flexible and accessible education options.
The third priority involves post-conflict recovery and inclusion, ensuring all children, including those from vulnerable groups, return to school. Finally, the Council will need to address how to strengthen financial support and measurement frameworks to track progress and ensure accountability. These priorities were reinforced at the Council’s 1314th meeting, which acknowledged the six internationally recognized grave violations against children in armed conflict, including attacks on schools and hospitals.