Written by: Mohammed Omran

Received Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssef met today with Ambassador Nonspa Luce, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to Ethiopia and the African Union, in a meeting that addressed ways to enhance joint cooperation and support the Union’s agenda in the areas of peace, security, development and continental integration.

Discussions focused on strengthening continental cooperation and supporting the priorities of the African Union.

During the meeting, the Chairperson of the Commission praised the historic role played by South Africa in supporting the efforts of the African Union, and its continued contribution to promoting peace, security, development and integration within the continent, stressing the importance of continuing this support to achieve the aspirations of the African peoples.

The two sides discussed a number of issues of common interest, including the migration file and current continental challenges, stressing the importance of dialogue, constructive communication and promoting responsible discourse in a way that serves the priorities of the African continent.

The Chairperson of the Commission also welcomed South Africa’s initiative to support efforts to preserve, archive and digitally update the African Union archives, as an important step in preserving the institutional memory of the Union and safeguarding its historical legacy for future generations.

For her part, Ambassador Nonspa Luce praised the Chairperson of the Commission’s leadership of the African Union’s work, and his efforts to advance the organization’s priorities at the continental level and strengthen cooperation among member states.

The African Union emphasizes the importance of transforming borders between its member states into bridges of cooperation and development.

In a separate context, the African Union Advisory Council on Civil Society (ECOSOCC) celebrated Africa Borders Day, emphasizing the importance of transforming borders between African countries from obstacles into bridges for cooperation, integration and development.

Emphasis on promoting freedom of movement and economic integration among the countries of the continent

The Council stressed that achieving genuine African integration is not limited to the free movement of goods under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), but must also include the free movement of people between the countries of the continent.

The Council explained that it continues to support the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons within the African Union (AUFMP) and the African Migration Policy Framework (MPFA), by working with civil society organizations in various African countries, with the aim of urging governments to ratify and implement these agreements.

ECOSOCC also called for strengthening the efforts of the African Union and the African Border Programme (AUBP), stressing the need to build a continent where citizens enjoy the freedom to move, live and work across borders, which contributes to supporting sustainable development and promoting economic and social integration among African countries.

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