The African Union on Wednesday appointed former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete as High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.
The AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said Kikwete will support peace, diplomacy and regional cooperation efforts in the strategically important region, working with regional and international organisations to promote stability, security and sustainable peace.
In a statement on Wednesday, “The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has the honour to announce the appointment of H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, former President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea,” he said.
The Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region is considered strategically important due to its role in international trade routes, security dynamics and regional political stability.
According to the African Union, Kikwete’s role will focus on diplomacy, political dialogue and regional cooperation aimed at promoting peace and stability in the region.
“In this capacity, H.E. President Kikwete will support the African Union’s efforts to address the complex political, peace and security dynamics across the region,” the statement said.
The African Union said his mandate will include preventive diplomacy, facilitating inclusive political dialogue, promoting confidence-building among stakeholders and strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms.
“His mandate will include, inter alia, advancing preventive diplomacy, facilitating inclusive political dialogue, promoting confidence-building among stakeholders, and strengthening regional cooperation mechanisms aimed at fostering sustainable peace and stability,” the statement added.
The High Representative will work closely with regional and international organisations involved in peace, diplomacy and regional integration efforts.
These include the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the East African Community, the League of Arab States and the United Nations, among other partners.
“The High Representative will work in close coordination with relevant regional and international partners with a view to ensuring coherence, complementarity and effectiveness in collective efforts to promote peace, stability and security,” the statement said.
The African Union said coordinated engagement among regional and international organisations is important due to the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea to global trade and regional stability.
“This coordinated engagement is particularly critical considering the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea for international trade and the broader stability of the African continent,” the statement said.
The Chairperson expressed confidence that Kikwete’s experience and leadership would help support peace and stability efforts in the region.
“The Chairperson expresses his full confidence that the experience, leadership and wisdom of H.E. President Kikwete will make a significant contribution to supporting countries in the region in addressing prevailing challenges and advancing durable peace, stability and prosperity,” the statement said.
Kikwete served as President of Tanzania from 2005 to 2015 and has previously been involved in regional diplomacy and peace initiatives across Africa.
His appointment comes at a time when the Horn of Africa region continues to face political, security and humanitarian challenges, with regional organisations and international partners working together to promote peace, cooperation and development.
The African Union said the High Representative will work with governments, regional organisations and international partners to support peace initiatives, political dialogue and cooperation frameworks aimed at improving stability across the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region.