A New Chapter Begins
Africa's next Youth Envoy could be among the millions of young leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, activists, and changemakers shaping communities across the continent and the diaspora today.
The African Union will soon launch the call for applications for the next AU Youth Envoy.But before the next chapter begins, we want to hear from you.
1. What issues should the Office champion on behalf of Africa's youth?
https://t.co/UXkknjHqws can the Office better serve young people across the continent and the diaspora?
Your ideas, experiences, and aspirations matter, share your thoughts in the comments using #AUYouthEnvoy
Stay informed. Stay engaged. Stay ready.
Stay tuned.
News doesn't reach audiences the old way anymore. The #AUMediaFellowship#AUMF trains journalists and content creators in digital tools, fact-checking & emerging platforms so Africa's stories reach people fast, accurately, and everywhere they scroll.
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, this morning received a comprehensive briefing from H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, former President of Tanzania, now the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa & the Red Sea, on the evolving political & humanitarian situation in the Republic of South Sudan.
H.E. @jmkikwete briefed the Chairperson on his recent consultations with #SouthSudanese stakeholders & regional leaders, including his meeting with H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba, as well as his engagements with the Presidents of Kenya, Uganda, & the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
During his visit to Juba, Mr. Kikwete also held consultations with members of the African Group of Ambassadors, IGAD, the UN, the Troika, & the EU, underscoring the importance of coordinated international support for peace and stability in South Sudan. He encouraged the diplomatic community to continue working closely with all stakeholders in support of the country's peace process.
The briefing focused on ongoing efforts to advance the full and faithful implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which remains the primary framework for achieving sustainable peace, national reconciliation, & democratic transition in the country.
President Kikwete further highlighted the close collaboration between the AU, IGAD, & the UN in supporting peace, stability, & inclusive political dialogue in South Sudan. He also provided updates on progress made & challenges that remain in relation to key transitional benchmarks, including security sector reforms, the constitution-making process, the expansion of civic and political space, & preparations for the country's electoral process.
The Chairperson expressed his appreciation for the briefing & commended Mr. Kikwete for his statesmanship & sustained diplomatic engagement & commitment to promoting peace, stability, & regional cooperation in South Sudan & the wider Horn of Africa.
Reaffirming the African Union's steadfast support for the people of South Sudan, the Chairperson called upon all South Sudanese parties & stakeholders to engage constructively, honour their commitments under the R-ARCSS, & cooperate closely with the initiatives led by the AU & IGAD.
He recalled that the meeting of the C5 in February 2026, chaired by H.E. President Cyril Ramaphosa, reaffirmed the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) as the paramount framework for securing durable peace, advancing constitutional transition, & guiding the country's path towards democratic governance.
The Chairperson & President Kikwete underscored the importance of dialogue, consensus-building, & the timely implementation of agreed transitional measures as essential steps towards achieving lasting peace, stability, & prosperity in South Sudan.
@ymahmoudali@UN@IGADsecretariat
When Africa invests in its youth, it invests in its future.
#Agenda2063 provides the blueprint. Africa's youth provide the energy, ideas, innovation, and leadership to bring it to life.
Whether through entrepreneurship, science, technology, agriculture, the creative industries, civic leadership, or public service, young Africans are turning the aspirations of Agenda 2063 into reality every day.
بيان مشترك صادر عن
الأمين العام لجامعة الدول العربية، ورئيس مفوضية الاتحاد الأفريقي،
والأمين العام لمنظمة التعاون الإسلامي،
بشأن ممارسات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي غير القانونية في الأرض الفلسطينية المحتلة
القاهرة، أديس أبابا، جدة: 24-6-2026
@ https://t.co/b3Z2rjqKen
Joint Statement issued by the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Regarding the Illegal Practices of the Israeli Occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Cairo, Addis Ababa, Jeddah: 24 June 2026
Read @ https://t.co/uEJAMTd9AK
@ymahmoudali@OIC_OCI
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) will host the First Ordinary Session of its Seventh Legislature, bringing together parliamentarians from across the continent to deliberate on critical issues affecting Africa's development and integration.
𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖
The First Ordinary Session is structured into four phases designed to maximize legislative effectiveness and continental cooperation:
𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 (17–18 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 2026)
Activities commence with meetings of the PAP Bureau and Ambassadors on 17 July 2026. A joint meeting of the Bureau, Committee Bureaux and Caucuses follows on 18 July 2026 to finalize work programmes and align priorities in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.
𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑪𝒂𝒖𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌 (20–26 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 2026)
Under the @_AfricanUnion Theme of the Year 2026: "Ensuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063," committees will consider matters within their mandates and prepare reports for plenary presentation. Special focus will be placed on cross-cutting issues including peace and security, trade and economic integration, and gender and youth affairs.
𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑶𝒓𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑺𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒉 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 (27–30 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 2026)
The Ordinary Session opens on 27 July 2026 with the President's address, swearing-in of new members, solidarity messages, and the State of the African Union presentation by the AU Commission Chairperson. Plenary deliberations will cover peace and security, committee reports, the Women's Caucus report, and the AU Theme of the Year 2026, before concluding on 30 July with final resolutions and the closing ceremony.
𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 (31 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 – 1 𝑨𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒔𝒕 2026)
Following the adoption of resolutions of the First Ordinary Session of the Seventh Legislature, this conference will serve as a platform for dialogue between the Pan-African Parliament and parliamentary institutions across the continent, supporting the PAP's mandate to contribute to the harmonization and coordination of African Union Member States' legislation.
For more information: https://t.co/hPyB9F57v8
#PAPOrdinarySession #7thParliament #PanAfricanParliamentrhan
Transforming higher #Education and TVET through peer learning and innovation.
Join the conversation as AU Member States and partners exchange best practices, strengthen skills ecosystems, and advance education transformation across Africa.
#DecadeofEducation#Agenda2063
Today, I had the distinct honor of representing the @_AfricanUnion Commission at the @TheOPECFund Forum 2026, as the Fund celebrates its Golden Jubilee.
At this historic milestone, we reaffirm the enduring value of multilateral cooperation and the shared commitment to building on a vision first set in motion by the leaders of the OPEC member countries in Algiers in 1975.
#OPECFundForum2026 #AfCFTA #Agenda2063 #AfricaRising #GoldenJubilee
On the margins of the @TheOPECFund Forum in Vienna, I held productive talks with H.E. Mr. Abdullah Khalaf Hamad Almusaibeeh, President of @badeabank .
Our discussions focused on strengthening AU–BADEA collaboration to advance Africa's development priorities and accelerate the implementation of Agenda 2063.
#AfricanUnion #BADEA #Agenda2063 #PartnershipsForDevelopment
I was pleased to meet with the Managing Director of the @WorldBankGroup Mrs. @bjerde_anna at @TheOPECFund Forum (OFDF ) 2026 in Vienna, Austria 🇦🇹 , to discuss strengthening the strategic partnership between the African Union Commission and the World Bank Group in support of Africa’s development and transformation agenda.
Our discussions focused on enhancing High-Level engagement to provide stronger political leadership, deepen cooperation in support of Agenda 2063, and enhance collaboration on development financing, regional integration, infrastructure and digital transformation.
I welcomed the World Bank Group’s continued commitment to Africa’s development priorities and underscored the importance of a forward-looking partnership that delivers sustainable growth, resilience, and tangible impact for the people of Africa.
#Agenda2063 #AfricaDevelopment #WorldBank #AfricanUnion #PartnershipsForProgress.
I was honored to participate in the panel discussion on “Upgrading Local Value Chains: Driving High-Value Exports and Diversifying Growth” at @TheOPECFund Forum (OFDF) 2026 , which coincides with the OPEC Fund marks its Golden Jubilee, celebrating fifty years of partnership-based development cooperation in Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria .
I emphasized that delivering on our vision leaves us with no other option but promoting intra-African trade, industrialisation and value addition. I noted that only 10 years ago, the AfCFTA was a dream. Today it is a reality with more than 20 countries trading under AfCFTA preferences. Our institutions are working collaboratively, from policy to financial institutions, to build an ecosystem from a payment system in local currency to digital customs solutions to harmonisation of standards.
I argued that development finance will only support structural transformation when it stops treating transformation as separate sectors and when aligned to national and regional priorities. If energy is financed in one silo, transport in another, trade finance in yet another and industrial production in another, what we get are disconnected projects. Africa has many disconnected projects already. What we need are connected value chains.
#OPECFundForum2026 #AfCFTA #Agenda2063 #RegionalIntegration #AfricaRising
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received H.E. Ruslan Nasibov, Ambassador of the Republic of #Azerbaijan to Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the AU.
They discussed strengthening AU–Azerbaijan relations, including the prospect of convening an AU–Azerbaijan Summit to enhance cooperation.
The Chairperson @ymahmoudali & Amb. Nasibov also explored opportunities for collaboration in public service & public sector modernisation, emphasising the value of exchanging experiences & best practices & institutional capacity-building across the continent.
They also exchanged on current international developments, including the situation in the Middle East & the conflict between the Russian Federation & Ukraine, underscoring the importance of dialogue, diplomacy, & the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Read @ https://t.co/GXXysil6Vw
Chairperson of African Union Commission Commends the Government and People of #Ethiopia for the Successful Conduct of the 7th General Elections Held on 1 June 2026.
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, commends the Government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia for the successful conduct of the 7th General Elections held on 1 June 2026. The election process demonstrated the commitment of Ethiopians to further consolidate democracy as the bedrock of socio-economic development. The Chairperson further notes the demonstration of professionalism and commitment of the National Election Board of Ethiopia towards the smooth conduct of the General Elections.
The Chairperson @ymahmoudali also seizes the opportunity to congratulate H.E. Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Prosperity Party for the remarkable victory in attaining the majority in the elections as announced by the National Election Board of Ethiopia on 21 June 2026.
The Chairperson reiterates the commitment of the AU Commission to consolidate democratic governance in AU Member States through credible, peaceful and transparent electoral processes.
Read @ https://t.co/9HXoUT2Uxl
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf this morning received H.E. Ali Akbar Rezaei, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of #Iran to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia & Permanent Representative to the African Union.
During their discussions, the Chairperson @ymahmoudali underscored the longstanding & constructive relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran, Africa, & the AU, noting Iran’s rich historical & cultural heritage & its engagement with the continent.
Ambassador Rezaei conveyed a message from H.E. Dr. @araghchi , Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, & reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to further strengthening cooperation with the AU & its Member States across areas of mutual interest.
The Chairperson & the Ambassador discussed cooperation between Iran & the AU, particularly in the fields of science, technology, innovation, & capacity building. They emphasised the importance of deepening collaboration in these areas to advance shared development objectives.
Ambassador Rezaei also reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to continuing its scholarship programme for African students, including through cooperation with the AU, as part of broader efforts to strengthen educational exchange.
The Chairperson welcomed recent diplomatic progress between the United States & Iran and expressed support for the ongoing negotiations in Geneva. He encouraged all parties to engage constructively & in good faith, emphasising that dialogue & diplomacy remain the most effective means of resolving disputes & promoting regional & international stability.
In this regard, the Chairperson noted that tensions in Strait of #Hormuz & Gulf region, & disruptions affecting maritime trade routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, have had significant repercussions for African economies.
He highlighted the impact on energy supplies, fertilizer imports, & food security across the continent, & underscored the importance of safeguarding freedom of navigation & ensuring the uninterrupted flow of international commerce in accordance with international law.
Amb. Rezaei welcomed the AU's consistent position in support of dialogue, the peaceful settlement of disputes, & respect for a rules-based international order, noting that the AU has remained a strong advocate for diplomatic solutions to international challenges.
Read @ https://t.co/GBLeaS7lVl
Africa's challenges deserve African-built solutions, created by African hands, for African communities.
Meet Stephen Mouafo, founder of General Biotech, a young Cameroonian startup, builds solar-powered incubators that have saved 200+ newborns across Africa. This is what AU-backed, youth-led, #MadeinAfrica innovation looks like.
#AfricaYouthLed
𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐀𝐃𝐂 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐰𝐞
The SADC Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies Conference officially opened today, the 22 June 2026, in Lilongwe, Malawi, bringing together anti-corruption leaders, policymakers, and development partners to strengthen regional cooperation in the fight against corruption, illicit financial flows, and related crimes.
The Conference is being jointly convened by the SADC Secretariat, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the Government of the Republic of Malawi, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing transparency, accountability, and good governance across the region.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the SADC Secretariat, Deputy Executive Secretary for Corporate Affairs, Dr Judith Kateera, underscored the need for collective action to address evolving corruption challenges across the region. “Corruption remains a serious threat to sustainable development, peace and security in our region. It erodes public trust, weakens institutions, distorts markets, and undermines the rule of law,” said Dr Kateera.
The opening ceremony also featured remarks from Hon. Charles Mhango, Malawi’s Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Guest of Honour; Counsel Gabriel Chembezi, Chairperson of the SADC Anti-Corruption Committee (SACC) and Acting Director General of Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau and Mr Francesco Checchi, Team Leader of the UNODC Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes Hub for Africa.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Corruption and Illicit Financial Flows: Procurement Integrity, Asset Recovery, Whistleblower Protection and Leveraging Digital Technologies,” the conference provides a platform for Member States to exchange experiences, strengthen collaboration, and develop practical solutions to emerging corruption risks.
The meeting is particularly important as corruption increasingly transcends national borders, requiring coordinated regional responses to enhance procurement integrity, strengthen asset recovery mechanisms, protect whistleblowers, and leverage technology to detect and prevent corruption. Through these discussions, SADC Member States aim to reinforce transparency, accountability, good governance, and sustainable development across the region.
The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, today received briefing on the political situation in Sudan & ongoing mediation efforts from Ambassador Mohamed Belaiche, his Special Representative and Head of the AU Liaison Office to the Republic of #Sudan .
The Chairperson @ymahmoudali & Amb. Belaiche also discussed the reopening of the AU Liaison Office in Khartoum. In this regard, the Chairperson underscored the importance of undertaking a rapid assessment of the prevailing conditions with a view to initiating the reopening process at the earliest opportunity, noting that a timely AU presence in Khartoum would be instrumental in enhancing engagement with Sudanese stakeholders & supporting efforts toward an inclusive national political process.
Read @ https://t.co/0sAmj5JjyJ
Join us this Thursday for an important briefing on health emergencies across the continent.
📅 Date: 25 June 2026
🕓 Time:
* 16:00 | EAT (GMT+3)
* 15:00 | SAST (GMT+2)
* 14:00 | CAT (GMT+1)
* 13:00 | WAT (GMT)
🔗 Register to participate: https://t.co/Sq5gBkgMWe
#HealthSecurity