During his keynote address at the 11th Tana High-Level Forum on African Security in Addis Ababa this morning, AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf underscored that Africa must move from reflection to action.

In a shifting world order marked by fragility and uncertainty, he called for unity anchored in shared values and solidarity. “Our biggest challenge,” he said, “is translating ideas into actions that improve lives.”

He called on the continent’s leadership to work closely with the African Union to build the Africa we want.

“The Forum remains a beacon of both intellectual rigor and political resolve—advancing Africa’s vision to silence the guns and realize our shared aspirations,” he said.