The African Union is working to integrate democratic values into everyday life across the continent. A recent two-day Roundtable in Addis Ababa focused on turning this goal into practical action ahead of the 2026-2027 electoral cycle. The event, convened by the African Union Commission's Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security, brought together senior officials, election management bodies, media organisations, academics, civil society, youth and women's networks, and international partners.
The Roundtable, held on October 26-27, had the theme "From Dialogue to Action: Advancing Democratic Resilience through Media, Socialisation and Inclusion in Africa." AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Ambassador Bankole Adeoye emphasized that democratic values should take root across society. He stated that democracy must be socialised and embedded within communities, educational systems, media spaces, and public institutions.
Adeoye highlighted the importance of African citizens being at the centre of democratic processes, describing them as "the primary actors and custodians of democratic governance." He urged participants to develop practical proposals to improve access to credible information, strengthen civic and voter education, and give citizens greater opportunities to participate in public life. The participants examined the impact of artificial intelligence and digital platforms on elections and the information environment.
The discussions covered various topics, including generative AI, platform influence, digital sovereignty, and the risks posed by disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech. The participants also considered responses such as media literacy, fact-checking, independent journalism, and stronger public trust in reliable information. Additionally, they addressed the conditions needed for journalists to contribute to democratic life, including their safety, working conditions, and labour rights.
The Roundtable also discussed youth civic engagement, women's leadership, disability inclusion, and community-based approaches to democratic education. Building on the inaugural Roundtable held in Nairobi in May 2025, participants reviewed progress and gaps since that meeting and identified priorities for the coming year. They highlighted the 2026-2027 electoral cycle as an opportunity to strengthen civic and voter education, pre-election engagement, and democratic participation.
The discussions worked towards an Action Roadmap to guide implementation before the 2027 Roundtable. Proposed elements include setting priorities, assigning institutional responsibilities, and establishing monitoring and reporting arrangements. Adeoye stated that the success of the meeting would depend on what followed, emphasizing the need to translate ideas into actions and commitments into partnerships.
The Nairobi Roundtable had recommended stronger journalist protection and labour rights, continent-wide media and digital literacy, democracy education, and greater support for investigative and community journalism. The recent Roundtable was supported by International IDEA with funding from the European Union. The African Union's efforts aim to promote democratic resilience and inclusion across the continent.
Key points
- The African Union seeks to integrate democratic values into everyday life across the continent.
- The Roundtable discussed the impact of artificial intelligence and digital platforms on elections and the information environment.
- The African Union aims to promote democratic resilience and inclusion across the continent through its efforts.
