Permanent Representatives Committee

The Permanent Representatives Committee was established to oversee the day-to-day business of the AU Assembly and Executive Council. It acts as an advisory body to the Executive Council, monitoring state implementation of the Executive Council’s policies and other AU commitments to develop recommendations. The Permanent Representatives Committee consists of representatives from each member state who meet at least once a month in closed session.

The Permanent Representatives Committee is responsible for (PRC Rules of Procedure, Rule 4)

  • Prepare its Rules of Procedure and submit them to the Executive Council
  • Prepare Executive Council meetings, including the agenda and draft decisions
  • Make recommendations on areas of common interest to member states particularly on issues on the Executive Council agenda
  • Facilitate communication between the African Union Commission (AUC) and member states’ capitals
  • Consider the AU’s programme and budget as well as the Commission’s administrative, budgetary and financial matters, and make recommendations to the Executive Council
  • Consider the Commission’s financial report and make recommendations to the Executive Council
  • Consider the Board of External Auditors’ report and submit written comments to the Executive Council
  • Monitor the implementation of the AU budget
  • Propose the composition of AU organ bureaus, ad hoc committees and subcommittees
  • Consider matters relating to the AU’s programmes and projects, particularly issues relating to the socio-economic development and integration of the continent, and make recommendations to the Executive Council
  • Monitor the implementation of policies, decisions and agreements adopted by the Executive Council
  • Participate in the preparation of the AU programme of activities and calendar of meetings; consider any matter assigned to it by the Executive Council; and carry out any other functions that may be assigned to it by the Executive Council

How does it help tackle violence against women?

Among the reports the PRC considers are those from the Specialised Technical Committees, including the STC on Gender and Women’s Empowerment, as well as the reports from other AU organs what work on gender equality and women’s rights. These reports are used to inform the PRC’s recommendations and can influence how the PRC organises the Executive Council’s agenda for its upcoming sessions.

Previously, the PRC has adopted reports related to violence against women which have resulted in action by the Executive Council. For example, at the conclusion of the thirty-second ordinary session of the PRC, members adopted affirmative recommendations on action to tackle violence against women. Following these recommendations, the Executive Council adopted the ‘Decision on combating violence against women and girls in Africa, particularly the role of security organs in ending it’ (EX.CL/Dec. 928(XXIX)).