Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, held his first official meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço, the current AU President, at the Presidential Palace in Luanda on Wednesday.
This meeting, coming amidst pressing security challenges and the need for infrastructure development across the continent, marks the beginning of a key collaboration.
Youssouf’s visit follows his unexpected victory in the AU Commission election last February, where he defeated prominent candidates like Raila Odinga and Richard Randriamandrato.
Speaking to journalists after the nearly two-hour meeting, Youssouf expressed his honor in making Angola his first official stop on his continental tour as AU Commission head, emphasizing its significance as the home of the current AU President.
Discussions focused primarily on critical security matters, notably the situation in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia. “We had in-depth discussions on security challenges, particularly in the DRC and Somalia, two issues on which President Lourenço is personally committed,” Youssouf stated.
The meeting also highlighted the convergence of priorities between the two leaders. Youssouf, who campaigned on strengthening regional security and reforming the AU Peace and Security Council, echoed Lourenço’s emphasis on “strengthening infrastructure on the continent.”
Lourenço, upon assuming the AU presidency in February, prioritized the development of critical infrastructure, including rail, road, and port networks, as essential for industrialization and continental integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
This initial meeting between Youssouf and Lourenço signals the start of a partnership aimed at addressing Africa’s pressing challenges and fostering development and stability across the continent.
AC/Sf/fss/abj/APA