Addis Ababa, October 25, 2025 (FMC) — African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mohammed Ali Youssouf has underscored that unity and solidarity among African nations remain indispensable to shield the continent from emerging vulnerabilities in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Speaking at the opening of the 11th Tana Forum in Addis Ababa, which brought together senior officials, diplomats, special envoys, and invited guests, the AUC Chairperson called for translating reflections into concrete and sustained actions that make a real difference in people’s lives.
“Reflections that are not grounded in action remain volatile,” Youssouf noted, emphasizing that the greatest challenge confronting Africa today is moving from theoretical discourse to consistent implementation capable of transforming the continent.
Highlighting the African Union’s Agenda 2063 as the shared roadmap toward *“the Africa we want,”* he said the “mirror of reality” still reveals an unsettling picture of the continent’s progress despite repeated gatherings and policy dialogues.
Referring to the AU’s earlier goal of “silencing the guns by 2020,” first proclaimed during the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity in 2013, Youssouf said a new target has been set for 2030. However, he voiced doubts about meeting that deadline, citing persistent conflicts and crises across the continent.
While acknowledging encouraging milestones such as the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), he lamented that greater progress could have been achieved had peace and security challenges been more effectively addressed.
“This message is directed at my team, the new Commission, special envoys, member states, and all peace-loving individuals,” Youssouf urged. “We must focus on developing modalities to transform theoretical reflections into practical, collective action.”
He reiterated that genuine progress must be built upon unwavering unity and commitment among African nations. “Unity is Africa’s greatest asset,” he said, stressing that solidarity must manifest through coordinated and decisive action.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gedion Timothewos, also highlighted the importance of the Tana Forum as a platform for open dialogue on the continent’s most pressing issues.
“The Tana Forum is a critical platform for us to come together and reflect on pressing challenges facing Africa and the world,” Gedion stated, expressing appreciation to participants and emphasizing the importance of continued deliberations over the coming two days.