Angolan President Joao Lourenco has officially taken over as chair of the African Union, succeeding Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. In his acceptance speech, Lourenco outlined goals for peace, socio-economic advancement, and unity among African nations while addressing major regional challenges. The ongoing summit focuses on justice and reparations for Africans, highlighting collaboration for peace and development.
On February 15, 2025, Angolan President Joao Lourenco assumed the rotating chairmanship of the African Union (AU) during the opening session of the 38th Ordinary AU Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He took over from Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, who held the position for the previous year. Lourenco’s leadership aims to address critical challenges facing Africa while promoting unity and socio-economic progress.
In his acceptance speech, Lourenco highlighted his vision for peace, stating the need to end conflicts in Africa and tackle issues such as unconstitutional governance, terrorism, climate change, and public health threats. He called upon attendees to unite their efforts for effective solutions, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing these issues. The outgoing chair, Ghazouani, commended unity, peace, and security during his tenure, encouraging ongoing collective efforts from African leaders.
The current AU summit, lasting two days, is themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” for the year 2025. This theme reflects the AU’s ongoing commitment to addressing historical injustices and promoting development across the continent. Leaders are encouraged to work together for peaceful development and strengthen the role of the AU on the global stage.
In summary, President Joao Lourenco has taken over the AU chairmanship with a focus on unifying efforts against Africa’s pressing challenges. His vision includes resolving conflicts, addressing governance issues, and enhancing socio-economic growth. This leadership transition at the AU comes amid a broader theme of justice and reparations for Africans, reinforcing a commitment to collective progress and regional stability.
Original Source: english.news.cn
