Wednesday March 19, 2025
The 2025 African Union Commission (AUC) electoral process, despite being marked by division and disunity, shows how much Africa needs to unite under common reflections. It was a great reflection of the journey and strides achieved in African leadership and democracy. During the African Union Commission foundation, which was then called the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Kwame Nkrumah said this would be the organization that unites the continent, "We must unite now or perish… We must recognize that our economic independence resides in our African union and requires the same concentration upon the political achievement". As was his prediction, the governance of this organization has been the cornerstone of Africa's Growth, leading policy decisions, economic plans, and diplomatic initiatives.
In the contentious election, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti won as the Chairperson, while Selma Malika Haddadi of Algeria won as the Deputy Chairperson and were elected on 15th February as the new leaders of the African Union Commission. We congratulate them as they take on this critical role of pushing the AUC’s agenda forward. Equally, we salute the tough competitors, Raila Odinga of Kenya and Richard Randriamandrato of Madagascar, who demonstrated exceptional dedication and vision for Africa. Even though they did not win, they remain true leaders of Africa, embodying the courage, wisdom, and resilience that characterize the spirit of our continent.
The elections are over, and the real work begins now. Achieving Africa's future success demands unity as well as shared objectives. The AUC leadership must act as the motivating force to maintain Africa's dedication to economic development, stable politics, and regional unification. The AUC leadership must now focus its energy on resolving the threats affecting Africa's stability and growth. The wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Libya and Chad among others, and ranging poverty, climate challenges, and security issues are essential elements that must be handled moving forward. The new leadership must adopt an aggressive and decisive approach toward crisis resolution to rebuild an Africa that we all envision as a prosperous, peaceful, and united power. At the same time, the continent needs to handle present-day diplomatic tensions. Due to their persistent tensions, an immediate discussion and resolution must happen between Rwanda and the DRC, Sudan and Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Algeria and Morocco. Africa will not progress until its internal conflicts heal and the region's stability is secured. The AUC needs to take a more assertive mediator position by making African nations resolve their differences through diplomacy rather than conflict.
The African Union should act as a leading force behind promoting neighbourly relations throughout the continent. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's recent diplomatic visit to Somalia proves that official meetings between formerly conflicted countries create better relations and stronger national alliances. In 2024, Somalia and Ethiopia faced heightened tensions over Ethiopia’s illegal memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Somaliland Administration, which infringed Somalia’s territorial integrity. However, the two countries resolved their differences, and such high-level engagements show that dialogue and diplomacy can pave the way for renewed cooperation. These interactions should not be seen as isolated incidents but as a model for the entire continent, demonstrating that African nations can set aside their differences and work towards common goals. The AUC must actively support and promote such initiatives. Every moment that brings African leaders closer to unity and reconciliation should be acknowledged through public recognition. Peaceful diplomatic advancement by African countries should be stimulated. Therefore, African citizens will gain more confidence in AU leadership working towards continental development, peace, and stability. The AU should dedicate itself to broadcasting efforts that show reconciliation, collaboration, growth, peace, and a unified Africa.
There is an urgent need for Africa to benchmark today from the European Union (EU). The EU formed a collective front in trade, security, and governance, ensuring no member state was unsupported. In Somali, we say, Aan wada hadalno waa aan heshiino..(Let us talk let us reconcile), Now is the time for Africa to act with urgency, unity, and purpose. The newly elected leadership is responsible for shifting the course of the continent's future by fostering cooperation, resolving conflicts, and embracing innovation. Africa can achieve its long-awaited transformation only through collective ambition and a renewed commitment to shared objectives.
To improve the lives of our people, we must empower them with more knowledge and access to opportunities in our continent to fight poverty and unemployment. The present global transformation calls for Africa not to fall behind the rest of the world. In the era of digital advancement, artificial intelligence (AI), and worldwide innovation, our leaders must ensure that we do not exclude African communities from socioeconomic progress and development. Africa must implement comprehensive strategies against looming job replacement through AI and automation, which threaten millions of work positions in the continent. In America, workforce development has relied on educational investments combined with innovation and entrepreneurship advancement. The United States established entrepreneurial funding with technological centres and innovative legislative structures to foster innovation for the youth. Young minds across Silicon Valley and Wall Street have received opportunities to take charge of industry development. Africa needs such an identical system structure to build an environment supportive of young entrepreneurs along with researchers and creatives to flourish.
One key step toward this goal is making Africa a visa-free continent. The present barriers discourage talented young Africans from underprivileged social ranks from attaining better prospects across continental borders. Suppose the AU can immediately implement the quest for a visa-free Africa. This will encourage trade interactions, workforce collaboration, and skills and knowledge exchange among young business owners, who could then move from market to market to develop partnerships throughout the continent. The aim goes beyond physical movement since it leads toward developing a Pan-African economy that permits abilities and expertise to circulate unrestricted for the benefit of Africans. Through its visa system, Europe supports economic development, education, and technological advancement since professionals and students can interact and share ideas between all European Union (EU) member countries.
Africa has been facing persistent conflicts, poverty, unemployment, insecurities, and economic stagnation for many years, but all these efforts remain unsuccessful at achieving real change. The leadership of Mahmoud Ali Youssouf requires critical thinking and new approaches to Africa's persistent problems. Africa continues to suffer from recurring wars, poverty, insecurities, increasing unemployment, and instability for many years despite multiple initiatives. This cycle must end. The time has arrived for Africa to abandon old, inefficient methods and establish innovative, progressive measures that direct the continent towards unification, peace, economic integration, and growth. Growing up, we were always told, Intaadan fallin ka fiirso ~Look before you leap (Consider all aspects of a situation before you take any action); the new leadership needs a critical look at the situation in Africa, especially matters of peace and unity. Judging from the past solutions offered, many initiatives have failed, and there is a need to develop solutions to modern problems. Africa must advance together by making unity greater than divisiveness and working collectively instead of separating ourselves while continuing to press forward ahead of standing still. The AU leadership needs to establish robust initiatives to combat poverty while developing economic possibilities and community empowerment. Youth inclusion must be at the heart of this new era of leadership. If we are building a future for them, the youth must be included in each development process today. Future generations will propel Africa's transformation by introducing innovative ideas, technological knowledge, and fresh energy. Effective visionary leadership combined with dedicated transformative policies will enable us to construct the Africa we want, which will unite us while being strong and successful worldwide.
Mr Sadik Warfa is a consultant in international relations, governance and labor. He is a former Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and also served as a Member of the Federal Parliament for Mudug Constituency, Somalia.