Angola assumes the Presidency of the African Union (AU) for the first time, within the framework of the African Summit held in Addis Ababa. Angolan President João Lourenço received the handover from his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and emphasized the importance of stability and conflict resolution on the continent.
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In his inaugural speech, Lourenço highlighted the need to promote initiatives to address security challenges in Africa. “It is essential to seek sustainable solutions to strengthen peace and development,” he stated. Among the key issues for the new Presidency is the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, where diplomatic efforts have been made to foster dialogue.
The AU Assembly Bureau is now composed of Burundi as the first vice president and representative of Central Africa, Ghana representing West Africa, Tanzania as the third vice president on behalf of East Africa, and Mauritania as rapporteur representing the north of the continent. This leadership team will work on implementing strategies over the next year.
During the summit, key issues were discussed, including conflict management, economic development, and the election of the next AU Commission president, replacing Moussa Faki Mahamat. Additionally, discussions covered topics related to the impact of resource exploitation and Africa’s role on the international stage. With this appointment, Angola assumes a key role in the continent’s diplomatic agenda. Lourenço’s leadership at the AU will be closely.
