The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, visited Angola to meet with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. They discussed Africa’s peace and security priorities, particularly focusing on conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia. They emphasized strengthening regional initiatives, enhancing infrastructure development, and promoting sustainable peace in alignment with Agenda 2063.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, concluded an official visit to Angola from March 18 to 19, 2025, during which he conferred with H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union. They discussed Africa’s peace and security agendas, particularly concerning the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia, commending Angola’s leadership role in advocating for peace and stability.
In their meeting, the leaders acknowledged the existing complex challenges posed by the aforementioned conflicts and reiterated the significance of ongoing African Union involvement to bolster stabilization efforts and foster inclusive political measures that can lead to lasting peace and enhance national institutions.
They emphasized the necessity of fortifying the African Peace and Security Architecture and augmenting the roles of Regional Economic Communities and Mechanisms, alongside reinforcing the African Union Peace and Security Council to effectively confront emerging threats, reaffirming the “Silencing the Guns” initiative as central to establishing a sustainable peace framework.
Moreover, they shared their perspectives on the African Union’s vision, emphasizing the critical nature of infrastructure development for regional integration and economic advancement, aligned with the objectives of Agenda 2063. The leaders expressed support for the upcoming US-Africa Business Forum in June 2025 and the October summit focused on generating resources for infrastructure development, viewing these events as catalysts for investment and alignment with Africa’s developmental goals.
H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also engaged with the diplomatic community in Luanda and presented his strategic priorities for the African Union Commission, reiterating the organization’s dedication to enhancing peace, security, and development across the continent. He highlighted the importance of collaborating with international partners to further the Union’s strategic aims concerning peace and sustainable development in Africa.
The recent meeting between H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço underscores a commitment to tackling Africa’s pressing peace and security issues while reinforcing the importance of regional cooperation and infrastructure development. Their discussions highlight the ongoing initiatives aimed at stabilizing conflict regions and advancing strategic partnerships that catalyze economic growth and prosperity throughout the continent. The engagements reflect a unified vision towards achieving sustainable development as outlined in Agenda 2063.
Original Source: au.int
