The 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) is currently underway in New York, with delegates from around the world in attendance. On the sidelines of the event, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, president of the African Union Commission (AU), co-chaired a high-level meeting with UN Secretary-General António Guterres on September 20. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two institutions.
The high-level meeting reaffirmed the common commitment to support Africa's efforts to address its structural challenges and promote a more equitable international order. This includes reforming the international financial architecture, ensuring debt sustainability, and better valorizing Africa's critical mineral resources. The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was also discussed, particularly the need for continuous support to Togo's mediation efforts.
The DRC crisis was a key topic of discussion during the meeting, with a focus on the evolution of the situation and the need for sustained support to Togo's mediation. The African Union had previously adopted a six-month roadmap and operational action plan to advance the peace process in eastern DRC. This plan, which covers the period from July to December 2026, outlines priority actions in several areas, including coordination, strategic support, and military and security issues.
The roadmap aims to provide a coordinated framework for the AU's panel of facilitators and the Independent Joint Secretariat (IJS) to support the efforts of the AU mediator, accompany the implementation of existing commitments, and strengthen coordination with other processes. The plan also includes mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, including regular reports, joint analyses, and field missions.
The high-level meeting between the UN and AU was preceded by a technical preparatory meeting on July 24, which brought together the AU Commission, the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the East African Community (EAC), and the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR). The meeting was attended by special representatives of the AU in the region, with support from the government of Botswana and international partners.
The agreement between the UN and AU to provide continuous support to Togo's mediation efforts in the DRC crisis underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing regional challenges. The situation in eastern DRC remains a complex and pressing issue, with ongoing security concerns and humanitarian needs. The support of the international community is crucial in helping to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
The collaboration between the UN and AU reflects a shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in Africa. The two institutions have a critical role to play in supporting regional efforts to address the DRC crisis and other challenges facing the continent. By working together, they can help to ensure a more effective and sustainable response to these challenges.
Key points
- The UN and UA have agreed to provide continuous support to Togo's mediation efforts in the DRC crisis.
