AU chair outlines peace, trade, development goals
Youssouf emphasized the need for peace, security, and continental integration.
The new leadership of the African Union (AU) Commission, under Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has laid out its priorities for the coming four-year term, focusing on key areas that address both the continent’s immediate challenges and long-term aspirations.
During his first official press briefing on Monday, Youssouf emphasized the need for peace, security, and continental integration while seeking to mobilize resources to drive Africa’s development.
These priorities align closely with the objectives outlined in Agenda 2063, the AU's 50-year development blueprint, and aim to address the continent's complex challenges.
Youssouf identified Africa’s peace and security situation as a major area of focus, citing the ongoing conflicts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.
The new AU Commission leadership is committed to finding lasting solutions to these issues, ensuring peace and stability across the continent.
In addition to peace efforts, Youssouf highlighted the importance of enhancing Africa's role in global trade, especially through the Group of 20 (G20) mechanism, which he sees as an opportunity to improve the continent's trade position.
"We see good opportunities for African countries to increase the level of intra-African trade, which is now around 18 percent. We see the emerging challenges as new opportunities. We are working with partners and stakeholders on the continent to create a conducive environment so that intra-African trade will be boosted and fill the gaps," he said.
Furthermore, the new leadership is committed to fostering inclusive development across Africa’s vital sectors, including agriculture, energy, education, health, infrastructure, science and technology, and industry.
The AU’s reform agenda also remains a priority, with Youssouf stressing the need to reduce the organization’s reliance on external funding.
The goal is to ensure financial autonomy through innovative financing mechanisms, a step crucial for the sustainability and independence of the AU.
The overarching vision is to drive Africa’s growth by ensuring a more secure, integrated, and prosperous continent, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.
