The African Union (AU) is a key partner in advancing the Protection of Civilians (PoC) agenda across Africa. CIVIC works with the AU, African-led peace support operations, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States, and other regional institutions to translate continental commitments into practical action to enhance civilian protection. By combining technical assistance, humanitarian diplomacy, operational research, military engagement, and community-centered approaches, CIVIC helps strengthen more accountable, prevention-oriented security responses across the continent.

Supporting African-led Peace and security Operations

CIVIC’s partnership with the AU began through its engagement with the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), where it helped develop some of the AU’s first operational frameworks to prevent and respond to civilian harm. This included supporting the development of the Amends and Post-Harm Assistance Policy, accompanying Standard Operating Procedures, the Indirect Fire Policy, and strengthening the Civilian Casualty Tracking, Analysis and Response Cell (CCTARC) to improve the identification, analysis, and response to incidents affecting civilians.

Today, CIVIC continues to support African-led peace operations through the transition from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) to the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM). CIVIC is helping institutionalize civilian protection within Somalia’s national security architecture by supporting the transition of civilian harm tracking and mitigation capacities, including CCTARC, to the Somali National Armed Forces, ensuring these capabilities remain sustainable beyond the lifespan of the AU mission.

Strengthening Protection Frameworks Across Africa

At the continental level, CIVIC works with the African Union Commission to translate the AU Protection of Civilians Policy into tangible tools and operational guidance. CIVIC delivers technical support to develop comprehensive PoC and CHM doctrines, operational planning tools, and specialized tracking mechanisms. This institutional capacity building extends to crafting post-harm response mechanisms, establishing conflict-sensitive strategic communications, and designing community engagement approaches. Through these initiatives, CIVIC enables AU Member States and African-led peace operations to integrate robust civilian protection frameworks into their defense policies, military doctrines, and pre-deployment training.

Supporting Regional Organizations and Peace Processes

CIVIC partners with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and national governments to strengthen Protection of Civilians policies, operational frameworks, and institutional capacities. CIVIC utilizes humanitarian diplomacy to integrate PoC and CHM principles directly into broader political processes. This includes embedding protection frameworks within peace negotiations, ceasefire agreements, political dialogues, stabilization efforts, and security sector reforms. Throughout these processes, CIVIC advocates for the meaningful consultation of conflict-affected communities—with a specific focus on women, youth, and marginalized groups—to ensure their distinct safety perspectives shape security decisions.

Preparing for Future Protection Challenges

As conflict evolves, CIVIC supports the African Union in addressing emerging protection challenges, including the use of explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA), drones, autonomous weapons systems, and responsible arms transfers. CIVIC provides research, technical advice, and policy support to help ensure that civilian protection considerations are integrated into evolving African security policies and operational responses.

Building on lessons from both United Nations and African-led peace operations, CIVIC also supports the design of future peace support missions and transitions from UN to AU-led operations. Through long-term partnerships, evidence-based research, humanitarian diplomacy, and technical assistance, CIVIC works to strengthen a more accountable, prevention-oriented continental protection architecture that places civilians at the center of African peace and security efforts.