US Dispatches Delegation to the African Union to Reinforce Economic and Security Ties

On 28 January 2026, a US delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau paid a visit to the African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Youssouf. The US delegation also included the US AFRICOM Commander, General Dagvin Anderson.

Chair Youssouf welcomes the US delegation in a context of regional and global complexity. He reaffirmed the commitment of the African Union (AU) in strengthening the partnership with the United States of America (USA) based on mutual respect and shared interests. He also underscored the importance of a dialogue between the AU and the USA to ensure peace, stability, and prosperity.

Both sides exchanged views on the situation in DR Congo and Sudan, and other military hotspots across Africa. Over the years, the AU has put a lot of effort and energy into #SilencingTheGuns, and the support of the US in that regard is greatly appreciated. Without peace and stability, there can be no development.

The priority programs and flagship projects of the AU are encapsulated under #Agenda2063. In particular, the AU has set up the Programme for Infrastructure Development (#PIDA) and the African Continental Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA) to coordinate continent-wide initiatives in enabling infrastructure and facilitating trade.

The US is inviting select African countries for a Critical Minerals Ministerial in Washington, DC, on the 4th of February, 2026. Already, the US has struck framework agreements with the DR Congo and Zambia, to name a few, to secure access to #CriticalMinerals and is funding the upgrade of the #LobitoCorridor to facilitate access. In line with the US’s efforts to get out of the stranglehold on #RareEarths, a US-Kenya Critical Supply Chains Conference will be in Nairobi, Kenya, on 30 January 2026.

Both sides agreed to implement a US-AU Strategic Infrastructure and Investment Working Group (#S2IWG) to mobilize financing, attract investment, and unlock private capital to achive mutual benefits. Africa wants to gradute from a mineral exporter to a product manufacturer, while the USA wishes to diversify its soucing of minerals and magnets.