African Union News - Latest Updates & Headlines
AU mission vows to intensify security in Somalia
Mogadishu, April 13: The African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) on Saturday pledged to work closely with the Somali government to strengthen stabilisation efforts.
Africa CDC calls for self-reliance as Africa faces surging health emergencies
Addis Ababa, April 6: As Africa faces an "unprecedented surge" in public health emergencies, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has called on African countries to strengthen domestic financing mechanisms to address emerging and existing public health challenges.
UN Chief appeals for dialogue in South Sudan amid escalating tensions
New York, March 29: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of a rapidly deteriorating crisis in South Sudan on Saturday and called for urgent dialogue, immediate release of detained officials, and renewed commitment to the 2018 peace agreement.
Foreign diplomats urge South Sudan to free Machar to avert crisis as mediation begins
Juba, March 28: Foreign diplomats have called on South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to reverse action on the reported house arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar to prevent further escalation of the country's political tensions.
African Union appeals for funding for peace efforts in Somalia
Mogadishu, March 26: The African Union Commission's newly-elected Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called on the international community to fund stabilisation efforts in Somalia.
African leaders appoint five peace facilitators for Congo peace process
Nairobi, March 25: African leaders from eastern and southern Africa appointed five former presidents to an expanded panel of facilitators to advance the peace process in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at a virtual summit.
UN, AU launch shuttle diplomacy to avert relapse into war in South Sudan
Juba, March 25: The United Nations missions in South Sudan, the African Union, and other peace partners are engaged in intense shuttle diplomacy to prevent the country from relapsing into civil war, a UN official said.
Angola bowing out as Congo conflict mediator: Presidency
Luanda, March 24: Angola said on Monday that it has decided to "relieve itself" as the mediator in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) conflict to focus on broader African Union priorities as its current chair.
Ethiopian PM calls for strengthening Africa CDC as premier public health institution
Addis Ababa, March 15: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has called on African Union (AU) members to intensify their collective support in elevating the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as a premier public health institution.
Angolan President calls for ceasefire in Congo ahead of peace talks
Luanda, March 15: Joao Lourenco, Angolan President and current African Union (AU) chair, on Saturday urged all parties involved in the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to cease hostilities starting midnight local time on Sunday, according to a statement released by the Angolan Presidency.
Newly elected leadership of AU Commission assumes office
Addis Ababa, March 14: The newly elected African Union (AU) Commission chairperson, deputy chairperson, and several commissioners have assumed office, following a handover ceremony at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, according to a press release.
South Africa to leverage G20 presidency for tourism, economic growth, global partnerships
Johannesburg, March 8: South Africa will use its G20 presidency to promote tourism, address national priorities, and strengthen South-South cooperation, a senior government official said.
UNMAS provides equipment to boost Somalia's anti-IED efforts
Mogadishu, Feb 27: The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has donated assorted life-saving equipment to counter the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Somalia.
African leaders call for immediate withdrawal of M23 rebels from Congo
Addis Ababa, Feb 17: African leaders attending the 38th African Union (AU) Summit have urged the immediate withdrawal of the March 23 Movement (M23) armed group from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Africa's progress against malaria in 'jeopardy' amid need for renewed commitments
Addis Ababa, Feb 17: Officials and experts on Sunday called for renewed commitments in Africa's fight against malaria, as they warned that the continent's progress against malaria is 'in jeopardy' due to a combination of natural and man-made challenges.
38th African Union Summit focuses on reparations, leadership elections
Addis Ababa, Feb 17: The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with focus on reparations and the election of senior AU Commission leadership.
Outgoing AU Commission chief calls for strong continental solidarity to withstand global shocks
Addis Ababa, Feb 17: Outgoing African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat has called for stronger continental solidarity in the face of growing global uncertainties.
UN chief urges investment, affordable finance to help developing countries meet SDGs
Addis Ababa, Feb 17: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the need to boost investment and affordable financing for developing countries to help them meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
African, AU officials call for actions to realise continental reparations agenda
Addis Ababa, Feb 16: Officials and experts from African countries and the African Union (AU) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the continent's reparatory justice agenda, urging concrete steps to ensure full accountability for historical injustices against Africans and people of African descent.
M23 rebels seize key DR Congo city as AU summit warns of regional war risk
Kinshasa, Feb 16: The March 23 Movement (M23) armed group announced that its fighters had entered Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu Province in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
AU commissioner calls for urgent action to address structural deficits in education funding
Addis Ababa, Feb 16: African Union (AU) Commissioner for Education, Sciences, Technology and Innovation Mohammed Belhocine has called for urgent action to address structural funding deficits in education and eradicate learning poverty in Africa.
African countries urged to develop human capital in space science, technology
Addis Ababa, Feb 15: African countries have been urged to expedite concerted efforts in developing the continent's human capital in space science and technology to harness its vast opportunities.
East African bloc approves new chair to monitor peace in South Sudan
Juba, Feb 10: The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), an East African bloc, has endorsed the appointment of George Aggrey Owinow of Kenya as the new chair of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the South Sudan peace monitoring body said.
African leaders call for peaceful solution to conflict in DR Congo
Dar Es Salaam, Feb 9: Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan and other African leaders reaffirmed their full support for seeking a lasting solution to the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
African-led peace efforts in Congo crucial to reducing regional conflict
Kinshasa, Feb 8: As hostilities escalate in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), African regional blocs are urgently pursuing African-led solutions to prevent a wider regional crisis.
South Sudan urges investigation into alleged civilian killings in Sudan
Juba, Feb 4: South Sudan on Tuesday called on the African Union (AU) and the United Nations (UN) to investigate the alleged killings of its nationals by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its allied forces in Sudan.
Flights suspended after violent protests in DR Congo, AU urges M23 to lay down arms
Kinshasa, Jan 29: Uganda Airlines announced the suspension of its flights to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where several embassies were damaged, looted, and even set on fire amid mass demonstrations.
African leaders call for AU reforms to improve efficiency
Nairobi, Jan 28: Five African leaders called for reforms of the African Union (AU), focusing on peace and stability, funding, the Pan-African Parliament, and the African Court of Justice, to make it efficient and responsive to effectively serve its members and the people of Africa.
22 Nigerian soldiers killed by suspected terrorists: military
Abuja, Jan 27: At least 22 Nigerian soldiers have been killed and several others wounded by suspected terrorists in a remote town in the country's northeastern state of Borno, the military said on Monday.
Africa loses 18 billion USD annually due to conflict: African Union
Nairobi, Jan 27: Kenyan President William Ruto, who is also the champion of the African Union (AU) institutional reforms, said on Monday that conflict continues to deny Africa of its potential, costing the continent an estimated 18 billion US dollars annually and displacing millions of people.
AU calls for 'immediate' cessation of all hostilities in eastern DRC
Addis Ababa, Jan 27: Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has expressed concern over the grave situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and called for an "immediate" cessation of all hostilities.
African youth, driving force for development of world's 'youngest' continent
Nairobi, Jan 19: On a sleek train between Nairobi and Mombasa, young stewards warmly welcome passengers. In the bustling Sino-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, young workers proudly produce goods stamped with "Made in Africa." In Nigeria, young employees efficiently manage parcel deliveries at a booming e-commerce logistics hub.
AU to convene annual summit to elect senior leadership
Addis Ababa, Jan 15: The African Union (AU) disclosed that its annual summit will be held from February 12 to 16, with the election of the AU Commission (AUC) senior leadership set to be a focus of the event.
AU mission welcomes Somalia-Ethiopia deal to strengthen ties
Mogadishu, Jan 14: The African Union (AU) mission in Somalia welcomed a recent agreement between Somalia and Ethiopia to restore diplomatic representation in their respective capitals after more than a year of strained ties.
AU adopts agricultural development strategy for next decade
Kampala, Jan 12: African nations have adopted a new strategy to advance agricultural development and food systems, a key source of livelihood for the continent's population.
Tanzania gears up for energy summit to expand power access
Dar Es Salaam, Jan 6: Tanzanian authorities announced that preparations for the African Heads of State Energy Summit, scheduled for January 27-28, are well underway.