Egypt and the African Union

By Ambassador Yasser Elnaggar as featured on Middle East Institute

Egypt’s assumption of the presidency of the African Union (AU) last February was an important step for the country after the suspension of its membership in 2013. It was Egypt’s first time to hold this position since the AU transformed from its old structure as the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in July 2002. While this position is largely a ceremonial one that rotates between the continent’s five sub-regions, member states use the opportunity to advance the profile of their country, both regionally and globally. 

Egypt certainly used its presidency to raise its profile as an African nation. The country took a leading position in speaking on behalf of Africa in important international events, including the UN General Assembly, the China-Africa Forum, the G-20 Summit in Japan, G-7 meetings in France, the Japan-Africa Summit, the Russia-Africa Summit, and just recently the UK-Africa Investment Summit. This comes at a time of increasing interest in Africa and its growing economies.