AU, Germany explore avenues to strengthening strategic partnerships
Addis Ababa, April 11, 2025 (FMC) – The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, met with Niels Annen, Parliamentary State Secretary to the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, to advance AU–Germany cooperation.
Parliamentary State Secretary Niels Annen was the first high-ranking representative of the German government to meet with the newly elected leadership of the African Union Commission during his trip to Addis Abeba on 10 and 11 April 2025, the German Embassy in Addis Ababa said in a press release sent to FMC.
The focus of the visit was on strengthening Germany’s partnership with the African Union and Ethiopia, as well as on current conflicts on the African continent and their implications for displacement and migration, it was mentioned.
Discussions between the AUC Chairperson and the Parliamentary State Secretary focused on strengthening strategic partnerships, including Germany’s valued support to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), peace and security initiatives, and regional integration efforts.
The Chairperson commended Germany’s commitment to both multilateral engagement through the AU and robust bilateral cooperation with AU Member States.
“The African Union remains a key partner for Germany,” State Secretary Niels Annensaid, while underlining Germany’s continued commitment to serve as a prominent partner of the African Union for the further implementation of the Agenda 2063, including flagship projects such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and to support its role in responding to conflict and crises situations in Africa.
He pointed out that the membership in the G20, which Germany has supported from early on, has provided the African Union with a key platform to pursue Africa’s political priorities, reflecting the continent’s increasing role on the world stage.
They both reaffirmed the importance of AU–EU collaboration as a cornerstone of multilateralism, vital for promoting sustainable development, trade, and shared prosperity.
The German Parliamentary State Secretary also had a meeting with the newly appointed Foreign Affairs State Minister for Political and Economic Affairs, Amb. Hadera Abera. On the occasion, both sides reflected on 120 years of bilateral relations between Ethiopia and Germany and discussed current regional issues as well as the situation in the Horn of Africa and its effects on Ethiopia.
During his visit, Parliamentary State Secretary Annen also had meetings with AU-Commissioner Amb. Bankole Adeoye (Political Affairs, Peace and Security – PAPS), AU-Commissioner Amb. Amma A. Twum-Amoah (Health, Humanitarian and Social Affairs – HHS), Ambassadors of African Union Member States, as well as representatives of United Nations organisations based in Addis Abeba.
He underlined the importance of integrating refugees and displaced persons in host societies, including through professional education and employment perspectives.