EU congratulates Angola’s João Lourenço on election as African Union chairperson
The European Union has extended its congratulations to Angola’s President João Lourenço on his election as the new Chairperson of the African Union (AU).
Lourenço was elected during the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Addis Ababa from February 15 to 16, 2025.
In a message posted on the European External Action Service’s (EEAS) official handle, @eu_eeas.e, the EU also congratulated Mahmoud Youssouf, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, and his deputy, Selma Haddadi.
The EU highlighted that 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the mutually beneficial partnership between the EU and Africa, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening ties with the continent.
“Africa is a geo-political priority for the EU, and we will continue our strong political dialogue and action,” the EU stated in its post.
Youssouf, a 60-year-old diplomat from Djibouti, succeeds Chad’s Moussa Mahamat, who served two consecutive terms as AU Commission Chairperson since 2017.
Haddadi, from Algeria will serve as his deputy. Both officials secured the required two-thirds majority votes from the 49 eligible AU member states. Six member states under sanctions were ineligible to vote.
The election of Lourenço, Youssouf, and Haddadi signals a new chapter for the AU, with both leaders holding mandates of four years, renewable once.
