The African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC-PAPS) is a central pillar of the African Union’s institutional framework, mandated to advance peace, security, democratic governance, and constitutional order across the continent.
Within this mandate, AUC-PAPS plays a key role in supporting Member States in strengthening democratic institutions, promoting credible and inclusive electoral processes, and preventing and mitigating conflict. Its work spans electoral ssistance and observation, governance and human rights, as well as post-conflict reconstruction and transitional justice, contributing to a comprehensive approach to peacebuilding and democratic consolidation.
AUC-PAPS leads the implementation of continental normative frameworks, including the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance, fostering shared standards and supporting their integration into national systems through civic education and institutional capacity development. It works in close collaboration with Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Regional Mechanisms (RMs), Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), and international partners to promote harmonised approaches, peer learning, and coordinated electoral support across Africa.
Anchored in the principles of African ownership and collective responsibility, AUC-PAPS facilitates dialogue, knowledge exchange, and policy development at both continental and regional levels. Through its activities, it contributes to strengthening institutional resilience, reinforcing democratic legitimacy, and advancing long-term stability and peace across African Union Member States.
This cooperation is further strengthened through the formal partnership established between AUC-PAPS and the European Centre for Electoral Support, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in May 2021. The MoU provides a structured framework for technical cooperation and joint action, notably covering support to electoral processes, capacity development of Electoral Management Bodies, peer learning and exchange of comparative experiences, development of operational methodologies and tools, as well as collaboration on conflict prevention, governance, and transitional justice initiatives across the continent.
The Department is led by Bankole Adeoye, a seasoned Nigerian diplomat with over three decades of experience in multilateral diplomacy, conflict prevention, and governance.
Prior to his election to the African Union Commission, he served as Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), where he played a central role in advancing Agenda 2063 and strengthening partnerships between the AU, the United Nations, and regional economic communities. His career reflects a sustained commitment to African-led solutions, preventive diplomacy, and the promotion of democratic governance, positioning him as a key figure in shaping the continent’s peace and security architecture.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) is the main institution responsible for Italy’s foreign policy, international diplomacy, development cooperation, and relations with international organisations. Within its broader mandate, the Ministry promotes peace, security, democratic governance, human rights, and sustainable development through bilateral and multilateral partnerships. In recent years, Africa has become a strategic priority for Italian foreign policy, particularly through initiatives aimed at strengthening political dialogue, institutional cooperation, conflict prevention, and socio-economic development across the continent.
The Ministry plays an important role in supporting governance and democracy initiatives in Africa, especially through cooperation with regional organisations such as the African Union. The Ministry’s engagement is also linked to wider Italian and European priorities concerning peacebuilding, democratic stability, migration governance, and regional security. In this context, Italy has strengthened its political engagement with the African Union, including through the establishment of a Permanent Representative to the AU in Addis Ababa and through initiatives connected to the Piano Mattei for Africa.
Within the framework of the Pro-Electoral Integrity project, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation acts as the principal donor and political supporter of the initiative. The Ministry financed the first three phases of the project through the Italian-African Peace Facility (IAPF) and supports the implementation of the project in partnership with the African Union Commission’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (AUC-PAPS) and the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES).
Through this support, the Ministry contributes to strengthening electoral integrity, democratic governance, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding efforts across Africa. Its funding has enabled the organisation of continental forums of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), peer-learning and solidarity missions, technical assistance to EMBs, election observation training programmes, and initiatives supporting the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG).
The Ministry’s contribution also supports activities related to transitional justice, constitutionalism, civic education, and the promotion of inclusive democratic processes, including women and youth participation. More broadly, MAECI ensures political and financial backing for AU-led electoral and governance initiatives, reinforcing cooperation between Italy, the African Union, and regional African institutions in line with shared objectives related to democracy, stability, and long-term peace on the continent.
ECES is an independent, non-partisan, and not-for-profit foundation headquartered in Brussels, with a global remit. Established at the end of 2010 by the initiative of Fabio Bargiacchi—following his tenure from 2004 to 2010 as Coordinator of the Joint Task Force between the European Commission and the United Nations Development Programme on Electoral Assistance—ECES operates as a specialised implementer of electoral and democratic governance support worldwide.
Since its creation, ECES has implemented activities in more than 50 countries, primarily—but not exclusively—in Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East. Its operations have been largely funded by the European Union and EU Member States, which have entrusted ECES with over EUR 155 million in programme implementation mainly from the EU and its Member States, primarily Italy, Germany and France.
ECES promotes electoral and democratic strengthening through the provision of advisory services and operational support, delivered via innovative project and financial management methodologies. A core feature of its approach is the mainstreaming of capacity and leadership development through peer exchange and the sharing of comparative experiences, fostering dialogue and contributing to the prevention and mitigation of electoral conflicts.
At the heart of ECES’ work lies its flagship strategy, “A European Response to Electoral Cycle Support (EURECS)”, a comprehensive and copyrighted framework implemented through a suite of specialised methodologies and tools, totalling over 22 intellectual property components. EURECS serves as an innovative delivery mechanism for electoral and democracy assistance, aligned with European values and EU policies, and designed to facilitate cooperation on electoral matters between the EU, its Member States, and partner countries.
ECES holds internationally recognised certifications, including ISO 9001 and T-certification, reflecting its commitment to quality management and financial transparency. Its strength lies in its people: a truly international, multicultural, and multilingual team representing over 60 nationalities and working in more than 30 languages. This diversity enables ECES to operate effectively across diverse contexts, build trust with local stakeholders, and deliver context-sensitive support grounded in cultural understanding.
ECES has also implemented, in partnership with other organisations and on behalf of the EU, the European Resource for Mediation Support (ERMES) project, a strategic instrument supporting the EU’s role in mediation and dialogue. ECES provided key expertise for the initiative, which was hosted within its headquarters.
As part of its broader engagement, ECES is a member of the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), the leading civil society platform in Europe bringing together over 50 independent organisations and think tanks from 17 countries committed to peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
ECES is also a member of the Team Europe Democracy Initiative (TED) led by the European Commission with ENABLE and GIZ as Secretariat, contributing to strengthened cooperation among EU institutions, Member States, implementing partners, academia, and civil society in the field of democracy support.