Amb. Albert SHINGIRO

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…

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

"#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

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf this morning received His Majesty King Letsie III of #Lesotho on the sidelines of the AU–IFRC High-Level Event on Advancing Durable Solutions Towards Zero Hunger in Africa. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali commended His Majesty for his steadfast advocacy & leadership in advancing the nutrition agenda, particularly efforts to combat hunger, malnutrition & stunting, as well as promote agricultural innovation. They also exchanged views on key AU priorities, with the Chairperson expressing appreciation for His Majesty’s continued commitment to supporting the Union’s continental agenda. His Majesty King Letsie III, in turn, commended the Chairperson for his leadership & commitment to advancing the priorities of the AU. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

ADVANCING DURABLE SOLUTIONS TOWARDS ZERO HUNGER IN AFRICA At a high-level convening jointly organised by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (@ifrc ), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, Chairperson of the AUC, reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to building resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, highlighting the Kampala CAADP Declaration (2025–2035) as a renewed framework for transforming Africa’s agricultural sector and strengthening food security. He underscored that Africa has the resources and potential not only to feed its people but also to become a global food basket. Realising this ambition requires collective action, sustained political commitment, good governance and coordinated efforts. He called for renewed commitment to advancing durable solutions towards Zero Hunger and building The Africa We Want. Read Full Statement @ au.int/en/speeches/20261103/… #ZeroHunger #FoodSecurity #Agenda2063 #TheAfricaWeWant #AfricanUnion #CAADP

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf this afternoon addressed the plenary session of the Third Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow. The session was co-chaired by H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation, & H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and Chairperson of the African Union. In his remarks, the Chairperson @ymahmoudali expressed appreciation for the warm & cordial welcome extended to all delegations. He underscored that the participation of African Heads of State & Government in the Summit reflects the importance they attach to strengthening cooperation & advancing mutually beneficial relations with the Russian Federation. He reaffirmed the AU’s commitment to respecting the sovereign choices of its Member States in pursuing their development priorities, while advancing the vision of an integrated, prosperous & peaceful Africa. He emphasised that these efforts remain guided by Agenda 2063, the continent’s strategic framework for inclusive & sustainable development & the realisation of the aspirations of its people. Highlighting Africa’s vast agricultural & mineral resources, the Chairperson stressed the importance of ensuring that these resources generate tangible benefits for the continent’s population. He underscored the need to promote local processing, value addition & industrialisation to enable African countries to capture greater value from their natural endowments. He further emphasised the importance of equitable & favourable access to international capital markets to support Africa’s development ambitions. In this regard, he welcomed the establishment of the African Credit Rating Agency as an important step towards strengthening Africa’s financial sovereignty & addressing persistent challenges in credit ratings. He also called for comprehensive reform of the international financial architecture to ensure that it is more equitable, inclusive & responsive to the development needs of African countries. On global governance, the Chairperson reiterated the African Union’s longstanding position on the need for equitable & fair representation of Africa in the UN Security Council, in line with the Ezulwini Consensus & the Sirte Declaration. He also called for renewed international attention to the historical injustices of colonialism, including efforts to address its legacy & advance recognition of colonialism as a crime against humanity. Addressing the challenges posed by technological disparities, the Chairperson stressed the need to bridge the digital divide, expand access to technology & strengthen Africa’s digital capabilities. He underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation with the Russian Federation & other international partners in promoting technology transfer, innovation, capacity-building & digital transformation in support of Africa’s development priorities. President Putin thanked the Chairperson for his remarks & expressed Russia’s appreciation for the partnership & cooperation with the AU Commission. He reaffirmed the strategic nature of #Russia–AU Commission relations & commended the Commission for its role in strengthening this partnership & advancing a shared spirit of cooperation. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, was received this evening by H.E. Vladimir Putin, President of the #Russian Federation, at the Kremlin in Moscow, on the occasion of the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit. The Chairperson’s participation in the Summit underscores the AU’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships, advancing Africa’s strategic priorities, and fostering mutually beneficial cooperation in support of peace, security & sustainable development. Earlier in the day, on the margins of the Summit, the Chairperson & the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, H.E. Sergey Lavrov, signed the Russia–African Union Commission Plan of Action for 2027–2029, outlining key areas of cooperation, including technology, education, agriculture, & peace & security. The Plan provides a framework for deepening dialogue, strengthening & institutional cooperation. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

On the sidelines of the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf @ymahmoudali & H.E. Sergey Lavrov, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the #Russian Federation signed the AU Commission–Russian Federation Action Plan 2027–2029, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening dialogue and advancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding on the Basic Principles of Relations & Cooperation, the Action Plan provides a framework for deepening AU–Russia engagement across 19 areas of cooperation over the 2027–2029 period. The framework underscores the importance of sustained political dialogue, institutional engagement & coordination on regional & international issues, including cooperation within the United Nations. Peace & security remain important pillars of the partnership, with proposed activities focusing on counterterrorism, combating transnational organised crime, exchanging expertise & strengthening institutional capacities, in support of the AU’s Silencing the Guns in Africa by 2030 initiative. The Action Plan further identifies science, technology & innovation as important areas for collaboration, particularly artificial intelligence, digital transformation, cybersecurity & space technology. Proposed initiatives include joint research & the development of AI-enabled early-warning systems for conflict risks, public health emergencies & natural disasters. Cooperation will also encompass energy, transport infrastructure, agriculture, water resources management, climate change adaptation, healthcare, humanitarian affairs, education, trade, investment & financial cooperation. Particular attention is given to capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, academic partnerships & the development of technical expertise in AU Member States. The framework also promotes exchanges in culture, sports & youth engagement, alongside cooperation in child protection & the preservation of cultural heritage. Through this Action Plan, the AU Commission & the Russian Federation seek to further strengthen their partnership through dialogue, practical cooperation & the exchange of experience, in support of the AU’s integration & development objectives under Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. The Action Plan constitutes a framework for cooperation & does not create rights or obligations under international law. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

On the sidelines of the 3rd Russia–Africa Summit in Moscow, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, participated in the high-level side event, “#Russia–#Africa Agro-Industrial Alliance: Meeting the Challenges Together,” organised in partnership with the Russian Association of #Fertilizer Producers (RAPU). Highlighting Africa’s vast #agricultural potential, the Chairperson noted that the continent possessesvast hectares of arable land & significant water resources, yet only 6% of its arable land is irrigated. He further underscored that Africa imports approximately $100 billion worth of food annually, including rice, maize, wheat & edible oils. He emphasised that unlocking Africa’s agricultural potential requires structural transformation, including expanding #irrigation, improving access to fertilizers, strengthening local production, & investing in agricultural research, technology transfer & skills development. By developing its own agricultural value chains, Africa can increase domestic food production, reduce import dependence & strengthen food security, he added. The Chairperson @ymahmoudali also highlighted Russia’s potential to contribute to Africa’s agricultural transformation through enhanced cooperation, investment & the transfer of technology & expertise. He stressed the importance of strengthening local capacities & deepening engagement with Russian businesses & the agricultural sector. He reaffirmed that achieving sustainable #food security requires Africa to build on its own resources & productive capacities while creating greater value locally. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…

H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, @DCP_Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, represented the Chairperson of the Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, at the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa in Bahir Dar, #Ethiopia, under the theme "Pathways to Peace in Africa: Economic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Transformation." In a message delivered on his behalf, she stressed that lasting peace in Africa depends on transforming resource wealth into shared prosperity, strengthening economic sovereignty, mobilizing domestic resources, curbing illicit financial flows and ensuring fair access to development finance. She also emphasized the need to strengthen the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and Regional Mechanisms through effective coordination, predictable financing, preventive diplomacy and sustained implementation, to address cross-border threats and advance the #SilencingTheGuns agenda. Furthermore, she affirmed that regional integration must deliver tangible benefits through the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (@AfCFTA), improved border infrastructure, free movement of people and goods, and stronger cooperation against trafficking and organized crime. She also highlighted the need to strengthen Africa's digital sovereignty, invest in innovation and digital capabilities, and confront cyber threats, disinformation and emerging forms of dependency, while ensuring that women and young people play a meaningful role in shaping peace, governance and the continent's future. She concluded that Africa's sovereignty must translate into prosperity, its institutions into effective action, and its pursuit of peace into tangible improvements in people's lives, grounded in trust, dignity and shared responsibility. Read @ au.int/en/speeches/20261024/… #TanaForum2026 #AfricanUnion #PeaceAndSecurity #Agenda2063

Keynote Remarks by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali, at the 3rd Abidjan Border Forum (ABF), Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Le Président de la Commission de l’Union africaine, S.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, a été reçu en audience par S.E. Alassane Ouattara, Président de la République de Côte d’Ivoire, au Palais présidentiel à Abidjan. Les échanges ont porté sur les principales priorités continentales, notamment la paix et la sécurité, l’intégration régionale, le financement durable de l’Union africaine et la place de l’Afrique dans un environnement international en pleine mutation. Le Président de la Commission @ymahmoudali a salué le leadership du Président Alassane Ouattara @AOuattara_PRCI et son engagement constant en faveur de l’intégration et du développement du continent. Il a notamment rendu hommage à son action en qualité de Champion de l’Union africaine pour l’Agenda 2063, soulignant son rôle dans la promotion de cette vision commune et la mobilisation des États membres en faveur de sa mise en œuvre. Sur la paix et la sécurité, les deux personnalités ont échangé sur l’évolution de la situation au Sahel et dans la région des Grands Lacs, ainsi que sur les risques croissants de régionalisation des conflits. Le Président de la Commission a souligné la nécessité de privilégier des solutions africaines aux crises du continent, de renforcer la coopération régionale et de consolider l’Architecture africaine de paix et de sécurité. S’agissant de l’intégration économique, les échanges ont mis en évidence l’urgence d’accélérer la mise en œuvre de la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECAf), notamment par la réduction des barrières non tarifaires, l’harmonisation des procédures douanières, le développement des infrastructures et la facilitation de la circulation transfrontalière des personnes et des marchandises. Le renforcement des chaînes de valeur régionales et l’accroissement du commerce intra-africain ont également été soulignés comme des leviers essentiels de transformation productive et d’approfondissement de l’intégration continentale. Le Président de la Commission a également mis en avant l’importance de l’Agence africaine de notation de crédit (AfCRA), appelée à contribuer à une évaluation plus juste et mieux adaptée des économies africaines, à corriger certaines perceptions défavorables du risque africain et à améliorer les conditions d’accès du continent aux marchés internationaux de capitaux. Dans un contexte marqué par des incertitudes géopolitiques croissantes, les échanges ont également souligné l’urgence de renforcer la mobilisation des ressources propres et l’autonomie financière de l’Union africaine, afin de permettre au continent d’assumer davantage la responsabilité de ses priorités et de son développement. Pour sa part, le Président Alassane Ouattara a salué l’action de l’Union africaine et les efforts du Président de la Commission. Il a réaffirmé le soutien constant de la Côte d’Ivoire à une Afrique qui assume pleinement ses responsabilités en matière de paix, de sécurité et de développement. Il a insisté sur la nécessité pour le continent de s’appuyer davantage sur ses propres ressources, ses compétences et ses institutions afin de maîtriser son avenir et d’occuper toute la place qui lui revient dans les affaires internationales. Lire @ au.int/fr/pressreleases/2026…

At the opening of the 3rd Abidjan Border Forum in Abidjan,  Côte d’Ivoire, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, called for African borders to become gateways to cooperation, peace, security & shared prosperity. He commended H.E. Alassane Ouattara, President of Côte d’Ivoire & Champion of Agenda 2063, for his steadfast commitment to Africa’s continental development agenda, & thanked the Ivorian authorities for their hospitality. Addressing the Forum’s theme, “People at the Borders: Culture, Security and Integration,” the Chairperson @ymahmoudali underscored the compatibility of national sovereignty with deeper cultural, economic and commercial integration. He stressed that communities sharing languages, traditions & cultural heritage across borders are valuable assets for advancing #Agenda2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (@AfCFTA). He called for the development of cross-border corridors, modernisation of border posts, simplified procedures and coordinated border management to facilitate the movement of people and goods. Recognising that border areas are also vulnerable to terrorism, illicit trafficking and organised crime, he emphasised the need for stronger cooperation among neighbouring States. The Chairperson urged AU Member States to ratify the 2014 Niamey Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation and the 2018 Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, the Right of Residence and the Right of Establishment. He reaffirmed that building a peaceful, integrated and prosperous Africa depends on effective, people-centred border governance that transforms borders from lines of separation into bridges of cooperation and shared development. Read @ au.int/en/pressreleases/2026…