Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: THE United Arab Emirates and the African Union Commission (AUC) held a high-level meeting in Addis Ababa on January 6 between Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AUC, and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State.
The meeting, built on the first round of political consultations held in Abu Dhabi on September 13 2025, within the framework of the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding, reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to further strengthening the UAE– AU partnership. Both sides reviewed progress achieved since the inaugural consultations, exchanged views on priority areas of cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to sustained political dialogue.
They converged on the centrality of Agenda 2063, in particular the flagship initiative “Silencing the Guns by 2030,” as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), underscoring the mutually reinforcing relationship between peace, security, trade and development. In this regard, they agreed to intensify cooperation in support of these strategic priorities, recognising that durable peace underpins economic integration, while expanded trade and investment contribute to stability, resilience and sustainable development in Africa.
Both sides welcomed the UAE’s launch of the US$1 billion “AI for Development” initiative, announced at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, and affirmed its potential to support Africa’s development priorities through innovation and digital transformation. The Chairperson and the Minister exchanged views on peace and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa, underscoring the close interdependence between stability in the Horn of Africa and security in the Arabian Gulf, including with regard to maritime security and regional prosperity.
On Sudan, both sides underscored the need for an immediate unconditional humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access throughout Sudan, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and establishing an independent civilianled government reflecting the aspirations of the Sudanese people. On Somalia, both sides reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability.