AUC Chair Warns of Security, Terrorism Challenges Facing Africa at AU Executive Council
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, emphasized on Wednesday the main challenges facing the AU, foremost among them political stability, security challenges, and conflicts, in addition to terrorist threat, stressing that these “difficult” issues will be the subject of thorough discussions by African leaders.
At the opening session of the 48th AU Executive Council, held in Addis Ababa, ahead of the 39th AU Assembly scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in the Ethiopian capital, with the participation of the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad, and African Affairs, Ahmed Attaf, assigned by the President of the Republic, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Ali Youssouf stated that “political stability, security crises, and conflicts on the continent remain a major concern for the African Union.”
The AUC Chairperson added, “These are difficult issues that will certainly be the subject of thorough discussions by our leaders.” On another note, regarding the unconstitutional changes of government that some countries have witnessed, he welcomed the “return of Guinea and Gabon to the African Union family” following a “successful transition.” Terrorism remains one of the major challenges facing the AU. Ali Youssouf noted that “the terrorist threat in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa persist.”
On water and sanitation; this year’s theme, he stressed that it “must be protected as a shared resource and a driver of cooperation” amid climate change. Development and integration also remain central priorities. The AUC Chairperson reaffirmed that “AfCFTA and AU institutions remain central to driving integration,” backed by innovative financing and stronger partnerships with Africa’s private sector and civil society.
He concluded by affirming that “focused leadership and strategic priorities will define our success,” expressing his gratitude to the Republic of Angola, which currently holds the AU chairmanship, “for its leadership within the Executive Council.”
