President William Ruto on Thursday, June 26, hosted the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf, at State House Nairobi for high-level talks centered on AU institutional reforms and regional security.
In a statement, the AU said the visit comes in the build up to the Special Summit on African Union Reforms, a key continental meeting aimed at streamlining and strengthening the AU’s operations.
"Mr. Youssouf briefed the President on the ongoing reform agenda in the lead-up to the Special Summit on AU Reforms later this year, and expressed appreciation for Kenya’s continued support for the process," the statement read.
Additionally, during their meeting, the leaders discussed security, particularly the coordination between the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) on the situation in Eastern DRC.
“Their discussions also touched on regional peace and security, including EAC-SADC diplomatic coordination on the situation in Eastern DRC and the ATMIS-AUSSOM transition in Somalia,” the statement added.
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Further, AU noted that Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s support for the AU’s reform and peacebuilding efforts.
"President Ruto commended Chairperson Youssouf’s leadership, welcomed the progress on institutional reform, and reaffirmed Kenya’s steadfast commitment to a more effective and inclusive African Union that leaves no one behind," the statement concluded.
The meeting marks Youssouf's first visit to Kenya since elected AU Chairperson on February 15, 2025, in Addis Ababa.
Mahmoud was vying against Kenya's Raila Odinga and Richard Randiamandrato of Madagascar.
He made it to the seventh round after edging over his competition in the second and fifth rounds with a total of 33 votes.
