African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Africa was bearing the full impact of the Middle East crisis, warning that shipping disruptions were fuelling inflation while urging stronger regional cooperation to tackle growing terrorism in the Sahel.
“Our continent is bearing the full impact of the consequences of the crisis in the Middle East. The resumption of the conflict between Iran and the United States is causing uncontrolled inflation,” Youssouf told the African Union Executive Council in Addis Ababa on Tuesday.
“Africa continues to face the expansion of terrorism,” he stressed. “I urged the AES countries to end their isolation and restore constructive dialogue with ECOWAS and other neighbouring countries. Regional cooperation is essential to effectively combat terrorism.”
He also expressed condolences over the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which he said had claimed more than 1,000 lives, and called for greater solidarity with the country.
Turning to the African Union’s finances, Youssouf said the 2027 draft budget reflected the bloc’s priorities but warned the Commission remained under-resourced.
“If we intend to reach the goals of Agenda 2063, we must mobilise significant financial resources. The estimation is around $2 billion,” he explained.
Youssouf said the Commission was operating with only 30% of its required staff and 25% of the budgetary resources needed, calling for a more predictable financing model to strengthen the African Union’s financial sovereignty.
The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) – comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger – formally withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2025.
The Executive Council meeting comes as the African Union seeks to strengthen regional security, reduce reliance on external funding and advance its Agenda 2063 development blueprint.
Source: Viory
