This report comprises several articles. The first article on pages 2, 3 : PSC postpones several activities due to COVID-19 – In line with recommendations to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Africa, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) has suspended its meetings at the African Union (AU) headquarters until further notice. It has also postponed the induction of 10 new members elected at the 32nd AU Summit last February and due to assume membership on 1 April 2020. On page 4 the following article titled: Stand-off following presidential elections in Guinea-Bissau – More than two months after the second round of the presidential elections held on 29 December 2019, Guinea-Bissau is sinking into a post-electoral deadlock fraught with unforeseeable consequences. On page 6: Patching up South Sudan’s broken political space – The formation of South Sudan’s new unity government on 22 February 2020 is a major milestone in recent efforts to restore peace in that country. This is the first successful attempt to form an inclusive government since 2016. On page 8: Africa’s role in the scramble for the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden – The first ministerial-level meeting of the PSC on the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region, planned for February 2020, was cancelled for undisclosed reasons. The meeting was expected to define Africa’s priorities and interests in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden region, and chart the way forward for its engagement. On page 11: Why has the AU been silent on the Ethiopian dam dispute? – Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are currently engaged in vital talks over the dispute relating to the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile River. While non-African actors are increasingly present in the negotiations, the African Union (AU) is playing a marginal role. On page 13: South Africa’s priorities for 2020 – Interview with South Africa’s ambassador to the AU – South Africa has a lot on its plate as chair of the African Union (AU) for 2020. The PSC Report spoke to South Africa’s ambassador in Addis Ababa Xolisa Makaya about these priorities and how the country plans to tackle them in the coming months.
