African Union Representational Mission to the USA

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Mandate of AU Mission

The Mandate of the AU Mission to the Unites States is to develop, maintain, and consolidate constructive and productive institutional relationships between the African Union and the Government of the United States of America, the Bretton Woods Institutions, non-governmental and academic organizations engaged in African issues and policy, and Africans in the Diaspora.

African Union Ambassador to the USA

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America since October 2021. She was nominated by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, to lead the African Union Mission in the USA, the first bilateral diplomatic Mission opened by the AU in 2007.

Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the Permanent Representative of the African Union to the United States of America. Her core mandate is to enhance and maintain existing bilateral ties. These ties strengthen democratic institutions, advance trade and investment, knowledge sharing, promotes peace and security, mutual relationships between U.S and all 55 AU member countries based on culture and shared values. A career diplomat with experience that spans the African continent, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze assumed her most recent duties on November 2, 2020. Prior to coming to the U.S., she helped lead diplomacy for more than two decades in a variety of top government positions in her home country – Zimbabwe. Wellknown as a “quiet champion of democracy,” Ambassador SukaMafudze held ambassadorial positions representing her country in Khartoum Sudan and South Sudan between 2010 and 2019, and most recently in the Republic of Malawi. more

The Core Functions of the Mission to the USA include:

Coordinate African Positions; Build, Sustain and Nurture the Bilateral Relationship; Monitor and Advise the African Union Headquarters; Inform America and Promote Africa; Support Multilateral Relationships; Resource Mobilization; Administrative; Build Constituencies for Africa; and Advocacy.

Core Functions of the Mission

Coordinate African Positions

To assist in coordinating activities in Washington, DC regarding contacts with the executive and legislative branches of the US Government, the Bretton Woods institutions, and other organizations, and to mobilize support for Africa’s development efforts
To assist Member States in adopting common positions in their relationships with the Americas

Build, Sustain and Nurture the Bilateral Relationship

To develop relationships of trust and understanding with key US Government offices and institutions working on issues of concern to Africa
To provide timely information on positions of the African Union to US Government, State department, agencies, and other entities.

Monitor and Advise the African Union Headquarters

To advise the AU Headquarters on strategies to address emerging issues in the Americas
To monitor political and economic developments of concern to Africa in the Americas
To submit briefs on the activities of the AU and of the African Group in Washington DC
To follow-up on issues relating to New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), Conference on Security, Stability Development and Co-operation in Africa (CSSDCA), programs that address gender issues and other intertwined programs.

Inform America and Promote Africa

To disseminate information on activities of the AU and its Member States in the Americas - To promote a positive image of the AU in the Americas
To inform on a consistent basis, American popular opinion about Africa, the African Union, and about key issues of concern
To counter, when necessary, media distortions of developments and events in Africa

Support Multilateral Relationships

To establish working relationships with World Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Organization of American States (OAS)
To monitor and follow-up on activities and programs of the World Bank and IMF which are of interest and concern to Arica and the African Union
To assist the AU Commission in preparing for meetings with Congress, Bretton Woods Institutions and the OAS

Resource Mobilization

To mobilize resources in support of African Union programs

Administrative

To assist with procurement for the Commission and other Organs

Build Constituencies for Africa

To build a political constituency and support for Africa and the African Union in America
To sensitize the communities in the Diaspora
To maintain contacts with various stakeholders – pro-African Groups, Think Tanks, Universities and other Groups that are interested in Africa – and help these Groups shape and influence progressive policies towards African countries.

Advocacy