African Union

Tired of staring at your screen all week? Your body is calling for a RESET. This Saturday, swap your desk for the dance floor, your notifications for music and your morning scroll for movement. Dance fitness. Ethiopian rhythms. Stretching and wellness. Fresh juices, smoothies and good company. Join Africa CDC and Ethio Dance Fitness for Healthy Morning Addis. Saturday, 14 November | 7:30–11:00 AM Addis Ababa – Exact venue shared with confirmed participants It is FREE, Come on time. Bring your energy. Bring a friend. RSVP: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/Y23B… RESET. ENERGIZE. RECHARGE. Road to CPHIA 2026 | For a Healthy Africa. #HealthyMorningAddis #RoadToCPHIA2026 #ForAHealthyAfrica

Today H.E. @MosesVilakati, Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment @AU_DARBE attended the opening ceremony of the COP31 Leaders’ Summit, representing H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. The participation reaffirmed the African Union’s Commitment to advancing climate action and amplifying Africa’s priorities on the global stage. #Agenda2063 #AfricaCop #COP31 Learn more@ au.int/en/newsevents/2026111…

Le Président de la Commission de l’Union africaine, S.E. M. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, a reçu M. James Swan, Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies pour la République démocratique du Congo et chef de la MONUSCO, ainsi que M. Huang Xia, Envoyé spécial du Secrétaire général des Nations Unies pour la région des Grands Lacs. Ils ont échangé sur l’évolution de la situation dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo et sur les efforts régionaux en faveur de la paix et de la stabilité. Le Président @ymahmoudali a appelé à une coordination plus étroite entre l’Union africaine et les Nations Unies et a réaffirmé le rôle central de la médiation conduite par l’Union africaine ainsi que l’importance de l’appropriation africaine du processus. Il a souligné que le dialogue demeure indispensable et doit associer toutes les parties prenantes congolaises concernées. Il a également insisté sur l’importance d’un dialogue régional sur les questions de sécurité entre les pays concernés, afin d’apaiser les tensions et de rétablir la confiance. Pour s’attaquer aux causes profondes du conflit, le Président a souligné le rôle de la coopération économique régionale, notamment à travers des projets communs d’infrastructure, la coopération en matière de ressources naturelles et le développement de corridors économiques. Cette coopération peut renforcer la confiance mutuelle et apporter des bénéfices durables aux populations de la région. Les échanges ont porté sur la mise en œuvre des engagements pris dans le cadre des processus de Washington et de Doha et sur le prochain renouvellement du mandat de la MONUSCO, avec une attention particulière au rôle de la Mission dans la protection des civils et l’appui au suivi du cessez-le-feu. Ils ont également abordé l’accès humanitaire et les préoccupations croissantes en matière de santé publique dans l’est de la République démocratique du Congo. Le Président et ses interlocuteurs ont réaffirmé leur volonté de renforcer leur coordination et de poursuivre leur engagement en faveur de la paix, de la sécurité et de la stabilité Lire @ au.int/fr/pressreleases/2026… @MONUSCO @UN

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received Mr James Swan, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Head of MONUSCO, and Mr Huang Xia, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for the Great Lakes Region. They discussed the evolving situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and regional efforts to advance peace and stability. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali called for closer coordination between the African Union and the United Nations and reaffirmed the centrality of African Union-led mediation and African ownership. He stressed that dialogue remains imperative and must bring together all relevant Congolese stakeholders. He also emphasised the importance of regional security dialogue among the countries concerned to ease tensions and rebuild trust. To address the root causes of the conflict, the Chairperson highlighted the role of regional economic cooperation, particularly through joint infrastructure projects, cooperation on natural resources and the development of economic corridors. Such cooperation can build mutual trust and deliver lasting benefits for communities across the region. The discussions covered implementation of the commitments made under the Washington and Doha processes and the upcoming renewal of MONUSCO’s mandate, with particular attention to the Mission’s role in protecting civilians and supporting ceasefire monitoring. They also addressed humanitarian access and growing public health concerns in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Chairperson and his interlocutors reaffirmed their commitment to closer coordination and sustained engagement in support of peace, security and stability in the Great Lakes Region. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @MONUSCO @UN

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received this afternoon at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, H.E. Mr. Pekka Haavisto, United Nations Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for #Sudan. They exchanged views on ongoing diplomatic & mediation efforts to secure a ceasefire & advance a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Sudan, including the AU’s engagement with the Quintet. Mr. Haavisto commended the AU’s leadership & sustained engagement with Sudanese stakeholders to address the political & humanitarian crisis. He also welcomed the Chairperson’s plans to reopen the AU Liaison Office in Khartoum. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali briefed Mr. Haavisto on the AU’s diplomatic engagements, including through the offices of Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns & Chair of the AU High-Level Panel on Sudan, & H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche, Special Representative of the Chairperson & Head of the AU Liaison Office in Sudan. These efforts include engagement with Sudanese stakeholders & coordination with the Quintet & Quad. The Chairperson reiterated the AU’s position that any credible pathway towards a sustainable resolution must be inclusive, Sudanese-led & Sudanese-owned, with the people of Sudan at the centre of the process. They both underscored the importance of close AU-UN coordination & reaffirmed the AU’s central role in facilitating the political process, while expressing grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian situation & the urgent need to address the suffering of the Sudanese population. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this morning received H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, former Chairperson of the AU Commission. Their engagement focused on the implementation of Agenda 2063, including ongoing efforts to advance its flagship initiatives & translate the aspirations of the continent’s development blueprint into tangible outcomes. The Chairperson expressed his appreciation to Madam Zuma for her vision & leadership in initiating & advancing Agenda 2063 during her tenure, as well as for her continued engagement & contribution to Africa’s development agenda. He encouraged her to sustain her engagement with the AU in support of the full implementation of the continental blueprint. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali briefed Madam Zuma on progress in the implementation of Agenda 2063, highlighting the importance of sustainable & predictable financing, as well as ongoing institutional reforms aimed at strengthening the AU’s capacity to deliver on its continental mandate. They also exchanged views on the Ebola situation, underscoring the need for concerted efforts by African governments, the private sector & international partners to support response measures. Madam Zuma expressed her appreciation to the Chairperson for receiving her & commended his leadership & continued efforts to advance the AU’s continental agenda. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @DlaminiZuma

Towards a Financially Sustainable and Self-Reliant African Union: Advancing African Ownership, Accountability and Institutional Effectiveness. The 27th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union (AU), dedicated to Financing the Union, will be convened on 13 November 2026 in Accra, Republic of Ghana, jointly organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of the Republic of Ghana. The Extraordinary Session will take place against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to strengthen the African Union's financial sustainability, institutional effectiveness and strategic autonomy. Despite previous commitments to achieve financial self-reliance, the Union continues to rely significantly on external partners to finance its programmes and peace and security activities. The African Union Peace Fund will also feature prominently in the discussions. The Session will provide an opportunity for Member States to consider an integrated reform pathway towards sustainable financing, encompassing financial autonomy, institutional rationalisation, improved programme effectiveness and a unified programme-based budget architecture supported by a medium-term expenditure framework. The Session will bring together Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Ministers of Finance of AU Member States, alongside senior AU leadership and representatives of AU organs, Regional Economic Communities and international partners, to deliberate on measures to strengthen the Union's financial sustainability, independence and institutional effectiveness. More @ au.int/en/newsevents/2026111…

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received the President of the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), Hon. Dr. Fateh Boutbig, for discussions on strengthening the role, effectiveness & institutional capacity of the Parliament within the AU. H.E. Dr. Boutbig briefed the Chairperson on ongoing efforts to revitalise the Parliament, including the review of its Rules of Procedure to address institutional & operational challenges, improve its effectiveness & align its work with the AU's vision & priorities. He also outlined preparations for the next Ordinary Session, scheduled for 1–17 December 2026. He presented programme of initiatives for 2027, including establishing a parliamentary research centre & a parliamentary training programme; strengthening cooperation with the AU Peace & Security Council on conflict prevention & early warning; & convening continental conferences on women's leadership, youth participation, political parties & democratic governance. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali welcomed the renewed dynamism & reform agenda under Dr. Boutbig's leadership, underscoring that the Pan-African Parliament must serve as a meaningful platform for dialogue, the exchange of ideas, democratic participation & the articulation of the aspirations of African peoples. Mr. Youssouf emphasised the importance of strengthening political pluralism, freedom of expression & the rights of opposition parties, noting that constructive political dialogue & inclusive democratic institutions are essential to sustainable peace & stability. The Chairperson reaffirmed the AU Commission's commitment to supporting efforts to advance the ratification of the relevant Protocol, while encouraging the Parliament to pursue practical reforms & initiatives that enhance its relevance and standing within the AU institutional architecture. The Chairperson & Dr. Fateh underscored the importance of closer collaboration, institutional strengthening & sustainable financing to ensure that the Pan-African Parliament effectively contributes to continental integration, democratic governance & the realisation of the AU Agenda 2063. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @AfrikParliament

African Group in Geneva Concludes Workshop on WTO Issues and Reaffirms Commitment to Advancing Africa's Trade and Development Priorities. The African Group in Geneva successfully concluded a Workshop on World Trade Organization (WTO) Issues held on 7 November 2026. The workshop brought together Ambassadors, trade experts from African Missions, and representatives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the WTO to exchange views on key issues under discussion in the multilateral trading system and their implications for Africa's economic transformation agenda. The workshop, chaired by H.E. Ambassador Geraldo Gonçalves Miguel Saranga of Mozambique, was officially opened by H.E. Ambassador Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati of Namibia, Coordinator of the African Group on WTO Issues. A welcome message was delivered by H.E. Dr. Girma Amente Nono, Permanent Representative of the African Union and Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, who underscored the importance of African solidarity and strategic engagement in the evolving global trade landscape. In his remarks, Dr. Nono emphasized the need for Africa to remain united and proactive in shaping WTO discussions to ensure that the development dimension remains at the centre of ongoing reform efforts. He further highlighted the importance of aligning Africa's engagement in the WTO with the objectives of the AfCFTA and the aspirations of Agenda 2063. Dr Tsotetsi Makong from the AfCFTA Secretariat made a presentation on the interface between the WTO and the AfCFTA, highlighting key linkages, opportunities and strategic considerations for continental trade integration in the context of WTO reform. The workshop provided an important platform for assessing recent developments in the WTO, including the outcomes and follow-up processes of the Fourteenth WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), ongoing discussions on WTO reform, agriculture, fisheries subsidies, development, dispute settlement reform, digital trade, and the integration of African priorities into future negotiations. Participants underscored the need for a stronger, more inclusive, transparent, and development-oriented multilateral trading system that responds effectively to the needs and aspirations of developing countries, particularly African economies and Least Developed Countries (LDCs). Discussions highlighted the importance of ensuring that WTO reforms deliver meaningful and equitable outcomes for developing countries while preserving the principles of inclusiveness, consensus-based decision-making, and Special and Differential Treatment. The workshop also underscored the growing importance of strengthening coherence between multilateral trade discussions and Africa's continental integration agenda. The African Group expressed its appreciation for the valuable contributions of the African Union Mission in Geneva, the Economic, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM) Department of the African Union Commission, the AfCFTA Secretariat, UNECA, and the WTO Secretariat. Participants further called upon these institutions to continue providing technical assistance and capacity-building support to strengthen the effective participation of African delegations across the broad range of WTO negotiations and reform processes. The Africa Group also reiterated its commitment to securing Observer Status for the African Union at the WTO, recognizing that such status would strengthen institutional coordination between continental and multilateral trade processes and enhance Africa's collective engagement in WTO deliberations. Participants stressed that a united African voice remains essential to ensuring that the multilateral trading system contributes effectively to Africa's industrialization, economic diversification, food security, digital transformation, and sustainable development objectives. The African Group reaffirmed its determination to continue engaging constructively with all WTO Members and stakeholders to promote a fair, inclusive, transparent, and development-oriented multilateral trading system that supports the aspirations of Africa and the successful implementation of Agenda 2063. In her closing remarks, H.E. Ambassador Ndiitah Nghipondoka-Robiati of Namibia, Coordinator of the African Group on WTO Issues, reaffirmed the commitment of African Members to deepen coordination and advance common African positions in ongoing WTO processes. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… Lire @ au.int/fr/pressreleases/2026…

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, received H.E. Elzein Ibrahim Hussein, Ambassador of the Republic of #Sudan to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the AU. Their discussions focused on the situation in Sudan and the AU’s continued engagement in support of peace, stability & recovery in the country. Amb. Elzein Ibrahim Hussein expressed appreciation of AU's diplomatic efforts to end the current conflict. They also exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in the health & education sectors, as well as advancing broader social & economic recovery efforts. The Chairperson reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to accompanying Sudan in its pursuit of peace, stability & economic recovery. They also discussed the possibility of a visit by the Chairperson to Khartoum Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

📅 Save the Date The African Union invites you to the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Assembly on African Manufacturing of Health Products. 3–5 December 2026 #Nairobi, Republic of #Kenya. Theme: “One Africa, One Market and One Health Future”. Hosted by Kenya, whose President, H.E. William Samoei Ruto, serves as the AU Champion on Local Manufacturing, the Extraordinary Summit will focus on advancing African manufacturing of health products and improving access to essential supplies. #Agenda2063 #AULocalManufacturing

#COP31 Africa Pavilion - Message by H.E. Moses Vilakati, @MosesVilakati, AUC Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment (ARBE)

Statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali at the Second African Political Parties Summit Read @ au.int/en/speeches/20261106/… @AbiyAhmedAli @PMEthiopia #Ethiopia

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this morning joined Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali @AbiyAhmedAli of the Federal Democratic Republic of #Ethiopia, leaders of governing & opposition political parties, former presidents & prime ministers, parliamentarians, & other distinguished African stakeholders at the Second African Political Parties Summit in Addis Ababa. In his keynote address, he underscored that the quality of political leadership is a decisive factor in shaping Africa’s future. He also highlighted the critical role of political parties in advancing the AU’s Agenda 2063 through democratic governance, respect for constitutionalism, accountability, political pluralism and peaceful political competition. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali called for greater transparency & accountability within political parties, while emphasising the need to strengthen the meaningful participation of women & young people in political leadership & decision-making. Highlighting the role of political parties in shaping Africa’s economic future, the Chairperson stressed the importance of building consensus around key development priorities, including education, employment, infrastructure, regional integration and the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). He urged the Summit to translate the commitments made in Accra during the first summit into concrete actions, clearly defined responsibilities & sustained follow-up. The Chairperson reaffirmed that the AU remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting democratic governance, consolidating peace & advancing inclusive & sustainable development across the continent. Watch Statement @ au.int/en/videos/20261106/au…

AUC Chairperson congratulates Judge Phoebe Okowa on her election to the International Court of Justice. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali warmly congratulates Kenyan jurist Judge Phoebe Okowa on her election to a full nine-year term at the International Court of Justice, beginning on 6 February 2027, following her initial election in 2025 to complete an unexpired term. Her election recognises her distinguished contribution to international law and reflects the confidence of the international community in her expertise and judicial service. It is a source of pride for Kenya and the African continent. Judge Okowa’s career illustrates the contribution of Africans on the continent and in the diaspora to international law and global institutions. Her achievement is an inspiration to African women and young people pursuing careers in law and public service. As the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, the Court settles legal disputes submitted by States in accordance with international law. Its work is essential to the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the rule of law in international relations. Her election resonates with Agenda 2063’s aspirations for justice and the rule of law, a peaceful and secure Africa, and a continent drawing fully on the potential of its people, especially women and youth. It also reflects the vision of Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner. The AUC Chairperson reaffirms the African Union’s commitment to international law, effective multilateralism and the peaceful resolution of disputes. He joins the people of Kenya in celebrating Judge Okowa’s achievement and wishes her every success in carrying out her independent judicial responsibilities. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

"#Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse gas #emissions, yet it continues to face some of the harshest impacts of climate change. At #COP31, we call for the fulfilment of #climate finance commitments, increased investment in adaptation, and accessible and affordable financing for developing countries. The African Union Commission remains committed to working with all partners to advance a fair, inclusive and ambitious global climate agenda. Let us turn promises into action and build momentum towards #COP32 in Addis Ababa, advancing climate justice and securing a resilient future for all." - H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission @ymahmoudali

Strengthening the AU–EU Partnership on Peace and Security. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali received a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by the Managing Director for Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and comprising members of the EU Political and Security Committee. The meeting reviewed the AU–EU partnership, with a focus on shared peace and security priorities and opportunities to deepen institutional cooperation. The Chairperson underscored the importance of translating political commitments into tangible outcomes, highlighting the role of the EU Delegation to the AU and EU Special Representatives across the continent in strengthening relations between the two institutions. Both sides discussed enhanced coordination, including joint missions and strategic communications, in support of African-led peace efforts. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026… @EUtoAU