New members of the African Union Peace and Security Council have been called on to defend Africa against genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The elected members of the Peace and Security Council are undergoing an induction at Swakopmund.

The programme is aimed at giving members an orientation on the mandate, powers, and functions of the council, established 20 years ago.

It is also a platform for the outgoing members to share their experiences with the incoming.

The 36th ordinary session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government has decided to maintain the suspensions of Mali, Guinea, Burkina Faso, and Sudan from the continental body.

The four countries have been under military rule following coups between 2020 and 2022.

Following the ECOWAS recommendation to the AU, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were suspended.

Sudan followed, as was called for under the continental body's constitutive act, following a coup by the army two years ago.