Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) Mahmoud Ali Youssouf voiced worries about Africa’s struggles in dealing with peace and security threats across the continent. Speaking at the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the AU in Addis Ababa, Youssouf highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the continent. He emphasized the need for Africa to address issues like political fragility and conflicts to ensure stability and progress.
Youssouf pointed out the persistent issues of unconstitutional changes of government and conflicts in countries like Sudan, eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Somalia. He stressed that these challenges continue to impact African nations negatively. Additionally, he mentioned the impact of global upheaval on Africa’s affairs and the importance of strengthening continental unity to withstand external pressures.
The AUC chief emphasized the importance of accelerating political and economic integration programs in Africa to build a strong and prosperous continent. He highlighted the significance of Agenda 2063 in guiding Africa towards its envisioned future. The summit, held under the theme ‘Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,’ brought together leaders to discuss key issues affecting the continent’s development.
Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed emphasized the necessity of leveraging Africa’s demographic dividend for holistic development. Acknowledging Africa’s economic growth, Abiy stressed the importance of investing in the continent’s young population to drive prosperity. The summit, attended by African leaders and representatives from international organizations, focused on addressing critical challenges and fostering sustainable development in Africa.
