By Celestine Avi and Seth Eyiah
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has pledged the commission’s full support for President John Dramani Mahama as he prepares to assume the rotating Chairmanship of the African Union, with both leaders reaffirming the need for stronger continental cooperation, financial independence and institutional reforms.
Mr Youssouf gave the assurance when he led a high-level AU Commission delegation on a courtesy call on President Mahama at the Presidency in Accra.
The engagement focused on key issues affecting Africa, including the African Union’s financial sustainability, regional security, debt management, economic sovereignty and the continent’s reparations agenda.
The AU Commission Chairperson commended President Mahama for his leadership and contributions to continental development, particularly his advocacy for reparative justice and reforms to strengthen Africa’s financial institutions.
He expressed confidence that President Mahama’s leadership would contribute to advancing the African Union’s priorities and shaping its future direction.
A major issue discussed was the need to secure sustainable financing for the African Union through the full implementation of the 0.2 per cent levy on eligible imports by member states.
President Mahama urged African countries to honour their commitment to the levy, drawing comparisons with the ECOWAS 0.5 per cent community levy, which supports the financing of the regional bloc’s operations.
“It’s not government money to the AU; it’s the people’s money. Government is only a collecting agency,” the President emphasised.
He pledged to engage fellow African leaders to build consensus and secure their commitment to the effective implementation of the levy, which is intended to reduce the Union’s dependence on external funding.
President Mahama also briefed the delegation on the Accra Reset Initiative, which seeks to advance Africa’s sovereignty and resilience through increased vaccine production, improved access to healthcare and stronger health systems.
On the continent’s debt challenges, he called for effective debt treatment approaches and sustainable mechanisms to manage Africa’s debt burden and strengthen its economic resilience.
The discussions further addressed regional security and relations among African countries, particularly efforts to bridge differences between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Mr Youssouf commended President Mahama’s efforts to promote dialogue and rebuild cooperation between the two regional blocs.
He also acknowledged the President’s contribution to advancing Africa’s reparations agenda at the global level, describing the issue as an important part of the continent’s pursuit of historical justice.
