NEWS IN BRIEF
Ethiopia
The 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council was held from July 28–29, under the AU’s 2026 Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safely Managed Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The gathering brought together Foreign Affairs Ministers and senior representatives from AU Member States to deliberate on a broad range of strategic agenda items aimed at advancing the African Union’s priorities and the implementation of Agenda 2063. (See article)
President Taye Atske-Selassie attended the launch ceremony of the Africa-China Robotic Surgery and Endoscopic Technology Centers in Ethiopia and delivered remarks, noting that the centers will serve as platforms for surgical education, technology transfer, and capacity building for health professionals.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed spoke at his office on Wednesday (July 29) with Sahiba Gafarova, Speaker of the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They held discussions on strengthening bilateral relations, building on a shared commitment to a deeper strategic partnership and mutual growth.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos, on Thursday (July 30), held discussions with the Minister of External Relations of Cameroon, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, on bilateral and continental issues at his office. The two ministers noted that Ethiopia and Cameroon enjoy strong and longstanding diplomatic relations and agreed to continue collaboration in areas of mutual interest.
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera bid farewell to the outgoing Ambassador of Finland to Ethiopia, Sinikka Antila, on Thursday (July 30). Ambassador Hadera expressed his appreciation to the Ambassador for her valuable contributions to further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Finland.
On Monday (July 27), the State Minister also bid farewell to the outgoing Ambassador of India to Ethiopia, Anil Kumar Rai, commending his dedicated service and valuable contribution to strengthening Ethio-India relations.
Kenya
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, participated in the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa.
Somalia
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdisalam Abdi Ali led the Somali delegation and participated in the 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council held in Addis Ababa.
Africa and the African Union
State Minister Ambassador Hadera Abera met with Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to review preparations for the 49th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council on Monday (July 27). They reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring a successful session that advances the African Union’s priorities, Agenda 2063, and Africa’s unity, integration, and shared prosperity.
Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos Urges Africa to Become a Strategic Actor in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
The 49th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council was held from July 28–29, under the AU’s 2026 Theme of the Year: “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safely Managed Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa. The gathering brought together Foreign Affairs Ministers and senior representatives from AU Member States to deliberate on a broad range of strategic agenda items aimed at advancing the African Union’s priorities and the implementation of Agenda 2063.
During the opening session, Minister of Foreign Affairs Gedion Timothewos highlighted key continental and global issues, noting that the session is taking place at a defining moment, as the international order and geopolitical structures are undergoing profound transformation. He observed that geopolitical competition, technological disruption, climate pressures, and growing contestation over strategic resources are shaping a new international dispensation. In this context, he stressed that Africa must seize the opportunity to become a strategic actor capable of providing African solutions to global challenges.
Gedion further stated that the African Union must emerge as a credible voice that advances the continent’s priorities and safeguards its interests. Noting that Africa is home to eight of the world’s ten fastest-growing economies in 2026, he said the continent is poised to become the engine of global economic growth in the second half of the 21st century. He also reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to the African Union and to promoting continental unity and strength.
The Minister emphasized the need for the African Union to secure a sustainable and reliable source of financing to effectively implement its decisions. He also underscored the importance of managing the continent’s shared resources for integration and prosperity based on the principles of cooperation, equity, and mutual benefit, and stressed that Africa’s challenges should be addressed through African institutions and frameworks. Gedion further expressed Ethiopia’s solidarity with the countries affected by the recent Ebola outbreak in parts of the continent and commended the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) for its preparedness and response efforts.
Also speaking at the opening, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union Commission, highlighted that this session of the Executive Council is taking place amid growing global uncertainty and complex geopolitical developments affecting the continent, touching on ongoing security and public health challenges facing Africa and reaffirming the AU’s solidarity with affected member states.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission went on to address peace and security, public health response, institutional and financial matters, financing the implementation of Agenda 2063, strategic partnerships and multilateral engagement, institutional reforms and governance, and the ratification and implementation of African Union legal instruments.
Also addressing the session, Édouard Bizimana, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Burundi and the current Chairperson of the Executive Council of the African Union, said Africa is at a defining moment, facing persistent conflicts, the growing impacts of climate change, economic pressures, youth unemployment, and the need to accelerate industrialization and strengthen strategic autonomy. He noted that Africa’s admission to the G20 marked a historic milestone in recognizing the continent’s growing role in global economic governance, while reiterating the continent’s demand for fair and permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council. He urged member states to continue speaking with one voice in advancing the Ezulwini Consensus and the Sirte Declaration as the foundation of Africa’s common position on UN Security Council reform.
The Chair also emphasized the importance of sustainable financing for the African Union, encouraging member states to adopt the financing mechanism, stressing that greater self-reliance would enhance the AU’s credibility and autonomy. Calling for continued consensus-based decision-making, he noted cooperation and unity remain essential to translating the Union’s commitments into tangible benefits for African citizens and advancing the objectives of Agenda 2063.
Beyond the formal proceedings, Foreign Minister Gedion Timothewos held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the session with counterparts from Burundi, the Republic of the Congo, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Benin. Discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, expanding economic and sectoral cooperation, advancing shared continental priorities, and enhancing collaboration within the African Union. The meetings also highlighted areas of cooperation including sustainable AU financing, artificial intelligence, climate resilience, trade, air transport, leather industry, infrastructure development, and the implementation of existing bilateral agreements.
The session ultimately concluded in Addis Ababa with the adoption of decisions on a wide range of strategic, institutional, and policy matters aimed at strengthening the Union’s effectiveness and accelerating the implementation of Agenda 2063. Discussions focused on AU financing and governance, institutional reforms, continental health initiatives, G20 engagement, the 2026 AU Theme of the Year, and African representation in international organizations.
Among the highlights to emerge from the closing session was the announcement that Ethiopia and Kenya have voluntarily agreed to raise their annual statutory contributions to the African Union to First Category Member State level.
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