African Union Chief Secures Strategic Alliances to Bolster Regional Security
New York, 25 September 2026
At the UN, African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf forged strategic partnerships with Arab and Islamic leaders to strengthen regional security, directly impacting East African peace efforts.
Strengthening Ties with the OIC and Arab League
On 25 September 2026, during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, engaged in critical diplomatic talks to bolster multilateral cooperation [1][2]. In his meeting with Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), both leaders emphasised the necessity of aligning economic and development priorities [1]. This collaboration aims to foster peace, security, sustainable development, and mutual solidarity across African and Islamic regions, which is crucial for establishing long-term regional stability [1].
Strategic Coordination with Egypt
The diplomatic push continued with a bilateral meeting between the AUC Chairperson and Dr Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates [3]. Held on 25 September 2026 on the margins of the UNGA, the discussions centred on Africa’s immediate priorities, regional security developments, and the promotion of coordinated action [3]. Additionally, they reviewed preparations for the upcoming 8th AU Mid-Year Coordination Meeting scheduled to take place in El Alamein early next month [3].
Advocating for Global Governance Reform
These meetings followed a crucial discussion on 24 September 2026 between Chairperson Youssouf and Khalilur Rahman, the President of the 81st Session of the UN General Assembly [4]. In this meeting, they reaffirmed the urgent need for Africa’s full, permanent, and equitable representation on the UN Security Council [4]. Elevating Africa’s voice in global governance is seen as a key step toward advancing effective multilateralism, which ultimately supports local peace-building efforts in vulnerable borderlands [4][GPT].