ECOWAS President H.E Dr. Touray Meets AU Chair H. E. MAHAMOUD Youssouf ALI, Pledged to Promote Peace in W/Africa and the Sahel, Built Stronger Relations.
By Raymond Enoch
In a strong commitment of continental solidarity and strategic institutional alignment, H.E. Dr .Omar Alieu Touray, President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, paid a high-level courtesy visit to H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, on Tuesday, June 11, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Held at the African Union Headquarters, the meeting brought together two key figures at the helm of Africa’s leading regional organizations. The discussions were described as constructive and forward-looking, focusing on urgent continental priorities including the evolving situation in West Africa and the Sahel, advancing regional integration, and developing sustainable financing mechanisms for African-led peace support operations.
Dr. Touray, representing the West African bloc, reaffirmed ECOWAS’ unwavering commitment to working in close partnership with the African Union to promote peace, security, democratic governance, and economic integration across the continent.
“This visit is not only symbolic of our unity, but a reaffirmation of our shared responsibility to safeguard regional stability and ensure the prosperity of our people,” Dr. Touray stated during the engagement.
On his part, AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf welcomed the ECOWAS President with warmth and a shared sense of purpose. He expressed strong support for the regional body’s peace and integration efforts, reiterating the African Union’s readiness to collaborate on shared mandates.
“ECOWAS remains a strategic pillar of the African Union’s vision for an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa. We value our partnership and stand firmly in support of its initiatives,” Mr. Youssouf said.
The two leaders emphasized the importance of aligning regional initiatives with the broader African Union Agenda 2063 and the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). They also highlighted the urgency of stabilizing the Sahel region, a geopolitical hotspot plagued by insurgency, political transitions, and humanitarian crises.
Furthermore, the dialogue explored innovative and long-term financing models to support African-led peace operations, underscoring the need for African solutions to African challenges. Both leaders agreed to deepen institutional cooperation, leverage shared platforms, and enhance coordination in multilateral fora.
The visit marks a significant step toward deepening inter-regional collaboration, particularly at a time when Africa faces complex transboundary threats requiring unified responses.
As Africa continues to navigate political, security, and economic challenges, the convergence of ECOWAS and AU leadership signals renewed determination to chart a common path forward.
