The African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC) in collaboration with the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Banjul Commission, and the Citizens and Diaspora Directorate (CIDO) are hosting a forum on African Civil Society's perspectives in the ongoing continental debate on unconstitutional government changes.

The resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government (UCG) in Africa poses a renewed challenge to the realization of the AU Agenda 2063 and the peace, security, democracy, and prosperity envisioned in its Aspirations. To combat UCG in Africa, ECOSOCC plans to strengthen civil society's capacity through a forum that will reflect African Civil Society's perspectives. The forum aims to discuss the contemporary socio-political contexts surrounding the recent uptick in UCG incidents, develop a roadmap for civil society actors to support the propagation of democratic values, provide a relevant and sustainable platform for robust citizen participation, and explore the use of transitional justice processes and/or mechanisms to advance peace, stability, and democracy in Africa. The forum will result in a policy statement on democracy and UCG in Africa, incorporating civil society perspectives into national and regional policy formulation, as well as a program of action for the non-recurrence of UCG.

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