A strong cooperation in peace and security is a key pillar of the EU-Africa partnership that celebrates 25 years in 2025 (#AUEU25). This commitment was confirmed once again at the EU-AU Ministerial meeting that took place on May 21 2025 in Brussels. The European Union has been a reliable and major partner to the African-led Peace and Security initiatives and to the African Union architecture.

During the visit, the EU Special Representatives met with H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission: a meeting that allowed both parties to exchange on the role that the AU and the EU can play in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, two regions of strategic importance. The visit also included a conversation with H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi, African Union Deputy Chairperson, and H.E. Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, UN Special Representative for the Secretary-General to the African Union and Head of UNOAU. They engaged, as well, with the resident European Union Member States.

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The main objectives for the visit were to engage with the African Union leadership, understanding the AUC role and headship in these regions, listen to different stakeholders on the current situation and possible solutions and to reaffirm the European Union continuous support. They emphasised the importance for all interested parties to remain active, in a spirit of open dialogue and mutual respect, to which regional political processes are fundamental, despite the complex and volatile contexts at hand. 

Reflecting on their visit, EUSR Cravinho stated: “Coming to Addis is always an opportunity to reaffirm the quality of the AU-EU cooperation and I have been really pleased with the quality of the exchanges I have had. It is very encouraging to see the AU’s interest in taking a growing role when it comes to the Sahel, where African leadership is needed more than ever. I had the chance to brief on the ongoing reflections for a renewed EU approach for the Sahel, which I have been working on for the past months and which requires, among other things, an integrated approach that is mindful of spill-over effects and interdependencies, namely with the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Guinea. I hope to work closely with the newly appointed AU Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel to progress on our many issues of common interest.” 

EUSR Weber added: “We are witnessing a rollercoaster of events in a turbulent global geo-political environment. There are a number of complex dynamics at interplay, which require a renewed strategic and coordinated engagement, enhanced regional and multilateral frameworks and a clear commitment to peace and stability. We must recognise the significant potential that both the Sahel and the Horn regions harbour, particularly the richness of young demographies who yearn for a different future with stable, peaceful, equitable, independent and democratic governance. Specifically on Sudan, our EU engagement focus on coordination, civilians, de-escalation and significant contributions to humanitarian responses. There is urgency to silence the guns, restore hope for the suffering civilian populations and build a positive vision for the future, based on multilateral and regionally integrated solutions.”

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Background:

Ms Annette Weber was appointed as EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa on 1 July 2021. The mandate of the Special Representative is to actively contribute to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security and development in the region. The Special Representative also aims to enhance the quality, intensity and impact of the EU’s multifaceted engagement in the Horn of Africa. Ms Annette Weber is a German national with over 25 years of experience in the region having facilitated peace talks at the highest political levels. She has an established track record of advising the UN, the EU and the German government on the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. She is also a speaker at the Munich Security Conference on regional issues.

Mr João Cravinho took up the duties of EU Special Representative for the Sahel on 18 November 2024. His mandate is to lead the EU's contribution to regional and international efforts for lasting peace, security and development in the Sahel. He also coordinates the EU's comprehensive approach to the regional crisis, on the basis of the EU Strategy for Security and Development in the Sahel. Mr. Cravinho served as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Portugal from 2022 to 2024. He previously held the positions of Minister of National Defence, EU Ambassador to Brazil, EU Ambassador to India, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Lecturer of International Relations at Coimbra University and President of the Portuguese Cooperation Institute.

The EU Special Representatives (EUSRs) promote the EU's policies and interests in specific regions and countries and play an active role in efforts to consolidate peace, stability and the rule of law. The EUSRs support the work of the EU High Representative/Vice President (HR/VP) Kaja Kallas in the regions concerned. They play an important role in the development of a stronger and more effective EU Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP).

Press contacts: EU Delegation to the AU: Biruk Feleke, Press & Information Officer - biruk.feleke@eeas.europa.eu 

More information: EU Delegation to the AU: Website / X / EEAS Press Material / EEAS YouTube channel