Written by: Qusay Ahmed

The head of the commission presided African UnionMahmoud Ali Youssef, and supervised this morning the opening of the extraordinary session and the swearing-in of the members of the seventh legislative body of the African Parliament in Midrand, in his capacity as representative of the President of the African Union, Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi.

The African Union affirms its support for restoring the stability and credibility of the African Parliament.

In a statement to the African Union, the Chairperson of the Commission affirmed that this occasion "is not a routine meeting, but a crucial moment" for restoring stability, credibility, and the continuity of institutions. With its new composition and strong regional participation, the Parliament must overcome divisions and reaffirm its mandate as the voice of the people of Africa.

He added: «Electing a new bureau will be pivotal to relaunching the work of Parliament, strengthening governance, and advancing continental priorities.».

He pointed out that the process, which should be based on responsibility, discipline and unity, must produce a cohesive leadership, stressing that forward-looking policies issued by this institution will be crucial in achieving tangible results and rebuilding citizens’ trust.

He reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to a «transparent, inclusive and rules-based process,» with full readiness to support the parliament at this pivotal stage, thereby enhancing its resilience, consolidating its credibility and enabling it to serve the aspirations of the peoples of the African continent.

Earlier, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received Ambassador Albert Chingiro, his Special Envoy to both Gabon and Equatorial Guinea, as part of African efforts to promote stability and resolve conflicts by peaceful means.

Congratulations and confidence in the diplomatic mission

The President of the Commission congratulated the Special Envoy on his appointment, expressing his full confidence in his ability to carry out his duties, particularly with regard to supporting the peaceful and effective implementation of the judgment issued by the International Court of Justice on May 19, 2025.

Mahmoud Ali Youssef stressed that implementing the international ruling represents an opportunity to strengthen dialogue between the two countries, build mutual trust, and support sustainable good neighborly relations, which contributes to achieving regional stability and avoiding any future tensions.

For his part, Ambassador Albert Shinjiro expressed his appreciation for the trust placed in him by the Chairperson of the Commission, affirming his commitment to working to strengthen consultations between the parties concerned and to consolidate the spirit of cooperation, in support of African efforts aimed at resolving conflicts through peaceful means.