Algerian Radio
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, emphasized on Wednesday the main challenges facing the pan-African organization, notably political stability, security crises, conflicts, as well as the terrorist threat, stressing that these "difficult questions" will be the subject of in-depth deliberations by African leaders.
"Political stability and security crises as well as conflicts in Africa remain a great concern for the AU," declared Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf at the opening in Addis Ababa of the 48th session of the AU Executive Council. This session sees the participation of the Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, Mr. Ahmed Attaf, mandated by the President of the Republic, Mr. Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and takes place within the framework of the preparation for the Union Summit, scheduled for next Saturday and Sunday in the Ethiopian capital.
"These are difficult questions which will certainly be the subject of in-depth deliberations by our leaders," the Chairperson of the AU Commission insisted on emphasizing.
Touching, moreover, on the unconstitutional changes of government that have occurred in certain countries, the Commission Chairperson welcomed "the return of Guinea and Gabon to the African Union," after, he said, "a successful transition process."
Terrorism also figures among the challenges facing the AU. Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf stressed in this regard that "in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, the terrorist threat is not receding."
Regarding this year's theme, water and sanitation, he insisted that "we must protect this shared resource and this factor of cooperation" in the face of climate change.
Furthermore, development and integration also constitute a major undertaking. The Commission Chairperson reaffirmed in this context that "the AfCFTA and AU institutions remain essential to promoting integration," thanks to innovative financing and strengthened partnerships with the African private sector and civil society.
He concluded by affirming that "determined leadership and clear strategic priorities will be the keys to our success," and by thanking the Republic of Angola, which currently holds the AU presidency, "for its leadership within the Executive Council."
