By Shire Abdi - Reporter
Ethiopia, 6 January 2026 The African Union Commission (AUC) and the United Arab Emirates have reaffirmed their commitment to deepening strategic cooperation, following a high-level meeting held in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
The meeting brought together Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of State, and built on the first round of political consultations held in Abu Dhabi in September 2025 under the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding.
In a joint statement, both sides reviewed progress achieved since the inaugural consultations, exchanged views on priority areas of cooperation, and reaffirmed their commitment to sustained political dialogue and an expanded UAE–AU partnership.
The officials emphasized the centrality of Agenda 2063, particularly the flagship initiative “Silencing the Guns by 2030,” as well as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), underlining the link between peace, security, trade and development. They agreed to intensify cooperation, noting that durable peace is essential for economic integration, while trade and investment contribute to stability and resilience across the continent.
Both sides welcomed the UAE’s launch of the $1 billion “AI for Development” initiative, announced at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg in November 2025, highlighting its potential to support Africa’s development priorities through innovation and digital transformation.
Discussions also covered peace and security dynamics in the Horn of Africa, with both parties stressing the close interdependence between stability in the region and security in the Arabian Gulf, particularly with regard to maritime security and regional prosperity.
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On Sudan, the two sides underscored the urgent need for an immediate and unconditional humanitarian truce, a permanent ceasefire, unhindered humanitarian access, accountability for violations of international humanitarian law, and the establishment of an independent, civilian-led government reflecting the aspirations of the Sudanese people. They recalled earlier AU-IGAD and international initiatives and condemned atrocities committed against civilians, while reaffirming support for Sudan’s unity and territorial integrity.
Regarding Somalia, both sides reaffirmed their support for Somalia’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security and stability.
The statement also reiterated the AU’s support for the UAE’s position that Iran’s occupation of the three Emirati islands—Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu Musa—constitutes a violation of UAE sovereignty and the principles of the UN Charter, and backed calls for a peaceful resolution through international law, including negotiations or the International Court of Justice.
In line with the AU’s 2026 theme on water and sanitation, the parties highlighted the 2026 United Nations Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, as a key opportunity to advance global action on water resilience. They agreed to pursue tangible, action-oriented outcomes across Africa, including through initiatives such as the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative.
The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening AUC–UAE cooperation across shared priorities in support of peace, stability and sustainable development on the African continent.
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