Abdi Issa

PhD candidate @BalsillieSIA. Researching peacebuilding, UN/AU peace operations, regionalism, global governance, cities & African dev. Fmrly @QueensU

[Keep The Meter Running with Kareem Rahma @ktmrshow]

I asked a cab driver in Damascus, Syria to take me to his favorite place and keep the meter running. He showed me a Damascus I never could have found on my own.

0:00 Hailing a cab and meeting Bashar
1:02 Opening Titles
3:05 Coffee & Memories
5:36 Damascus
10:40 Entering the Old City
14:24 The Nameless Breakfast Spot
19:55 A 1,300-Year-Old Mosque
24:43 A Syrian Feast
27:23 Basketball in Damascus
30:07 Day 2 in Damascus
33:39 The House of Saint Ananias
34:20 Doubts in Faith After War
36:02 What Happened in Jobar
39:03 The Ruins of His Childhood Home
40:27 The Best Shawarma in Damascus
41:53 Mount Qasioun
45:35 135-Year-Old Ice Cream
50:10 Saying Goodbye
53:24 The Final Fare

[African Union @_AfricanUnion]

Keynote Address by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the @_AfricanUnion, on the theme “Commemoration of the 20th Anniversary of the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration: Two Decades of the African Common Position, Correcting Historical Injustices, Promoting Equity and Inclusion in the United Nations Security Council”, on the occasion of the 7th Summit of the Committee of Heads of State and Government of the African Union on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council #UNSC

New York, 21st September 2025

Read @ https://t.co/ovXOjm2Ovq

[African Union @_AfricanUnion]

The Chairperson of the @_AfricanUnion Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (@ymahmoudali), met with the Co-Chairs of the African Union Partners Group #AUPG: H.E. Ben Marc Diendéré J.K., Permanent Representative of #Canada to the African Union, and H.E. Simone Knapp, Representative of #Austria to the African Union and Ambassador of Austria to Ethiopia.
The meeting focused on key issues related to strengthening the partnership between the AUPG and the African Union, with the aim of enhancing collaboration and deepening relations between the two parties.
Read @ https://t.co/aI7pgA4omm

[Ahmed Hussen @HonAhmedHussen]

Canada’s first-ever Africa Strategy is here—a new chapter in our partnership with the continent.

Together, we’re driving economic growth, strengthening security, and deepening ties for a more prosperous, resilient future.

Learn more: https://t.co/8LQHeb1Fdz

[Ben Marc Diendéré @Marc_Ben]

It is with great humility and pride that I announce my appointment as Canada's Special Envoy for Africa.

[African Union @_AfricanUnion]

H.E. 𝐌𝐚𝐡𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐀𝐥𝐢 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐟 was elected as the incoming Chairperson of the African Union Commission. He will be to be deputised by H.E. 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐦𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐚 𝐇𝐚𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐝𝐢.

Both mandates are for four years, renewable once.
The two leaders were elected and sworn in at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government.

They garnered the required two thirds majority votes of the 49 member states eligible to vote. 6 AU member states are under sanctions and therefore ineligible to vote.

The elections and appointments of the AU Commission Commissioners were conducted during the Executive Council session of Ministers of Foreign Affairs.

🌐𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐚 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩- https://t.co/2aAPR9AScP

[António Guterres @antonioguterres]

The partnership between the @UN and the @_AfricanUnion has never been stronger.

On all fronts, we stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the African Union to advance security, stability, human rights and the rule of law.

[UN Spokesperson @UN_Spokesperson]

The partnership between the African Union and the United Nations has never been stronger.

Together, we see an Africa brimming with hope and possibility. - @antonioguterres at the #AfricanUnionSummit

Full remarks: https://t.co/AqpxDlajTh

[UN Political and Peacebuilding Affairs @UNDPPA]

#YearInReview: In September, Member States adopted the Pact for the Future, pledging concrete actions for a more effective and just multilateral system. Read more, in Politically Speaking: https://t.co/kQTdigJy2O

[Crisis Group @CrisisGroup]

On The Horn, @mutigam and @HannaTetteh unpack the state of the African Union and how it can become more effective in resolving conflicts across the continent.

In partnership with @FESonline.

https://t.co/yD1ZCIK2of

[African Union @_AfricanUnion]

𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

𝐌𝐣𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐤𝐚, Africa’s Leadership Debate.

📅 13 December 2024.
📍African Union Headquarters.
⏰1900Hrs EAT.

Mjadala Afrika is a platform for candidates vying for the 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 to address African citizens in a 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐞 which is broadcast live as they present their visions and ideas on the implementation of Agenda 2063.

The debate focuses on policy issues and a solutions-oriented engagement on how each candidate intends to advance the realization of the Aspirations and Goals of Agenda 2063, other AU projects with continental focus, and Common African Positions.

🌐Details about the upcoming debate are available on - https://t.co/4OyOJx1X3e

[Moussa Faki Mahamat @AUC_MoussaFaki]

Earlier this week, I undertook a working visit to Toronto for the 2nd AU/Canada HighLevel Dialogue together with Commisioners Muchanga & Samate where together with Foreign Minister @melaniejoly, Intl Trade Minister @mary_ng and Minister of International Dev, @HonAhmedHussen,we took stock of our growing strategic partnership.

[African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security @AUC_PAPS]

The AU Panel of the Wise is in Juba to advance dialogue on the implementation of the R-ARCSS. The Panel received a comprehensive briefing from SRCC Amb. Joram Biswaro and engaged with the African Diplomatic Corps to align on efforts for sustained peace & stability in #SouthSudan.

[Mélanie Joly @melaniejoly]

Canada’s long-standing relationship with Africa is evolving, and today we’re deepening our partnerships for the future.

Through enhanced diplomacy, economic growth, and shared support for peace, we're building stronger people-to-people ties and driving progress together.

[Ben Marc Diendéré @Marc_Ben]

Canada and African Union Commission to host High-Level and Trade Policy dialogues - https://t.co/gOYediMZ8J https://t.co/SUcMfTK7YV

[Canada Trade @CanadaTrade]

The Canada-African Union Commission (AUC) Trade Policy Dialogue is under way!

The Canadian and AUC delegations are meeting today to continue discussions begun during the first Trade Policy Dialogue, last year.

#CanadaAfricaTogether

[Jorge Heine @jorgeheinel]

As part of the effort to deride the group, they used to say “there are only two #BRICS in the wall”. That was never true, and even less so after the 16th #BRICS2024 summit in #Kazan. My column in @ChinaDaily . @BUPardeeSchool @AdilNajam @AmitavAcharya @marianakalil #Diplomacy

[Foreign Policy CAN @CanadaFP]

Canada and African Union Commission to host High-Level and Trade Policy dialogues

https://t.co/GaSS4YLwvc

[Ueli Staeger @UeliStaeger]

Now out: AU PSC-UNSC communiqué. The text has changed considerably from 2023, with new substance on women, youth, climate, working methods, and resolution 2719. Central African Republic is a new geographical focus.
Compare here: https://t.co/SguGRXtmKH
📄https://t.co/PL7lNf5pZe