Addis Ababa: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received Ambassador Hirut Zemene, the Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union, during a courtesy call aimed at expressing Ethiopia’s support for the new AUC leadership.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the meeting between the two officials also addressed the progress of institutional reforms at the Commission and regional peace and security issues, particularly focusing on Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan. Ambassador Hirut highlighted Ethiopia’s concerns over the financial challenges facing the African Union Support Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), underscoring its importance for Somalia’s long-term stability.
Ambassador Hirut also voiced concerns about the slow implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), cautioning that delays could lead to instability in the region. Regarding Sudan, she advocated for renewed African Union engagement to facilitate a viable political pathway.
Chairperson Youssouf emphasized that peace and security remain top priorities for the Commission, reiterating his commitment to enhancing diplomatic outreach and resource mobilization to support AU-led initiatives in Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. He urged Ethiopia, as a member of the AU Peace and Security Council, to remain actively involved in supporting collective efforts to restore regional stability.