PSC/PR/COMM. (DCCCL) COMMUNIQUÉ Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 850th meeting held on 20 May 2019 on Mitigating the Threats of Cyber Security to Peace and Security in Africa. The Peace and Security Council, Recalling its previous communiqués and press statements on cybersecurity in Africa, particularly, Communique [PSC/AHG/COMM. (DCCXLIX)] adopted at its 749th meeting held at the level of Heads of State and Government, on 27 January 2018 and Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR (DCXXVII)] adopted at its 627th meeting, open session, held on 26 September 2016; Also recalling the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (The Malabo Convention), the African Union Declaration on Internet Governance and Digital Economy and the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime; Further recalling the Executive Council Decision [EX.CL/ Dec.986-1007 (XXXII)] requesting the Commission “to undertake, among others, the following: (i) implement Cyber Security as a flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063; (ii) form an Africa Cyber Security Collaboration and Coordination Committee (ACS3C) to advise the Commission and policymakers on Cyber strategies; develop guidelines on Personal Data Protection; organize a yearly AU Conference on Cyber Security in collaboration with Industry and Academia and establish a continental Cyber Security awareness month” and also the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution A/RES/73/266 on advancing responsible State behaviour in cyber space in the context of international security; Noting the opening remarks made by the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Rwanda to the African Union, H.E. Ambassador Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, in her capacity as the PSC Chairperson for the month of May 2019; the introductory remarks of AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, H.E. Dr. Aman Abou-Zeid, as well as the statement made by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the African Union, H.E. Madam Hanna S. Tetteh; Also noting the presentations made by the representatives of the AU Commission Department of Infrastructure and Energy, the United Nations (UN) International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA); Mindful of the immense opportunities offered by advancements in information and communication technologies (ICT) and artificial intelligence to national economic development and improvements in the living standards and general wellbeing of the African people, as well as the attendant risks to peace and security in the Continent; Also mindful of the increasing vulnerability of the entire Continent to the growing threat of cyber-crimes/cyber-attacks being committed by criminals, as well as extremist and terrorist