Senior officials from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) are meeting in Addis Ababa to finalize an implementation plan that targets peace, security, and economic development across both continents.
Officials Discuss Artificial Intelligence Governance and Security
The inclusion of AI governance reflects growing attention to the implications of emerging technologies for security, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. This engagement is intended to foster strategic dialogue and enhanced institutional cooperation between the two organizations. AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye and Ambassador Luke Feeney, who represents Ireland to the EU Political and Security Committee, provided the opening statements.
The ongoing engagement underscores the longstanding AU–EU strategic partnership and the shared commitment to strengthening coordinated responses to emerging and persistent peace and security challenges across Africa,
AU Peace and Security Council
The retreat is co-chaired by Ambassador Antonin B. Bieke, Côte d’Ivoire’s Permanent Representative to the AU and current AU Peace and Security Council Chairperson for November 2026, alongside the EU Political and Security Committee’s Permanent Chair, Ambassador Lene Mandel Vensild. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, received a high-level EU delegation led by the Managing Director for Africa at the European External Action Service (EEAS) to review shared peace and security priorities.
The 9th Annual Joint Retreat between the AU Peace and Security Council (#AUPSC) and the EU Political and Security Committee (#EUPSC), held on 5 November 2026 in Addis Ababa, provided an opportunity for both Councils to engage in substantive exchanges on emerging and persistent… pic.twitter.com/LQElq3E3sQ
Ethiopia Urges European Union to Mitigate Trade Barriers
Beyond security, the Senior Officials’ Meeting is addressing significant trade friction. Ethiopia has urged the European Union to mitigate the impact of its trade regulations on African producers.
Ambassador Meles Alem, Ethiopia’s Director General for European and American Affairs, argued that these measures negatively affect the export of strategic commodities such as coffee and cocoa. He called for the EU to address implementation challenges within its Everything But Arms
preferential trade initiative.
Senior officials from the African Union (AU), the European Commission, and EU Member States convened at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa for the AU-EU Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM), advancing the outcomes of the 7th AU-EU Summit held in Luanda in November 2025. The meeting… pic.twitter.com/CeCxGyG3zi
Digital Transformation and AI Development
Ethiopia, representing the AU’s common position on digital health and AI, has presented a set of priorities for the partnership. Ambassador Lemlem Fiseha outlined the goals set forth by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who serves as the AU Champion for AI and digital health. These priorities include:
- Integrating AI and digitalization into the policy agendas of AU member states.
- Expanding universal digital literacy.
- Increasing investment in cybersecurity infrastructure.
- Creating an enabling environment for digital start-ups.
- Promoting inclusivity through African languages.
- Strengthening institutional capacity to manage the risks associated with AI and its potential adverse impacts.
Representation and Multilateralism
The meeting, held at the Nelson Mandela Hall, included approximately 400 delegates and 77 heads of delegation. Among the participants, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic was represented by Aman Sidi Abdallah, Minister Counsellor at the Sahrawi Embassy to Ethiopia and the African Union.
Mr. Abdallah emphasized the importance of international law and called for reform of the United Nations Security Council to improve African representation. He also urged the EU and AU to exercise caution regarding investments in territories with unresolved legal statuses, specifically referencing the occupied territories of Western Sahara. He further highlighted the necessity of directing investments toward basic needs, including education, healthcare, drinking water, and food security.
The talks taking place in Addis Ababa are intended to promote the Joint Vision for 2030, in addition to the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the EU’s Global Gateway investment strategy. The meeting concluded with the adoption of an updated partnership implementation plan and a joint report reviewing the 2022–2025 period, with further consultations on peace, security, and defence scheduled for 5 and 6 November.
Strengthening the AU–EU Partnership on Peace and Security. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H. E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, @ymahmoudali received a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by the Managing Director for Africa at the European External Action… pic.twitter.com/bmdAlxLJUI
More on Addis Ababa
The 17th Annual Joint Consultative Meeting between the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (#AUPSC) and the Political and Security Committee of the European Union (#EUPSC) is underway today, 6 November 2026, at the AU Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.… pic.twitter.com/GwMGgR5Cr6
AI, terrorism top AU-EU security talks in Addis Ababa https://t.co/z4P473rGkK