Clarification by the AU Commission on Its Statement of 1 October 2026

The African Union Commission has taken note of the observations expressed by the Arab Republic of Egypt regarding the statement issued by the Commission on 1 October 2026 concerning regional tensions.

The Commission wishes to reaffirm its steadfast commitment to the principles of the African Union, particularly the principles of respect for the sovereignty, national unity and territorial integrity of States, as well as the principle of non-interference in their internal affairs.

The Commission also remains committed to political solutions and to ensuring that military solutions do not prevail.

The Commission further emphasises that its statements and positions fall exclusively within the scope of its mandate to support peace, security and stability on the continent, and are not intended to comment on the internal developments of any Member State.

Under no circumstances was the aforementioned statement intended to attribute responsibility for the developments underway to any neighbouring State. Rather, it was simply a call for de-escalation following the expulsion of diplomats from the three capitals.

The call for restraint, the maintenance of open channels of communication, and recourse to diplomatic means was made in line with the institutional responsibility entrusted to the Commission under the Constitutive Act of the African Union and the Statutes of the African Union Commission, with the objective of preventing any misunderstanding, escalation or widening of tensions that could affect regional stability.

The African Union Commission attaches particular importance to its close relationship with the Arab Republic of Egypt and values its positions, given Egypt's status as a founding Member State of the African Union and a key partner in promoting peace and security, integration and development on the continent.