In a statement issued by his spokesperson, the Secretary-General said the organization’s key decisions on new infrastructure and leadership “send a strong message” of its membership commitment to a Union guided by “accountable and effective leadership.”

The 11th Extraordinary Summit of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government was held in Addis Adaba, Ethiopia on 17 and 18 November, bringing to the forefront new commission structure, election of senior leadership and chairpersons, among other key financial and administrative reforms for the regional Union’s 55 member countries.

Guterres also welcomed the official launch of African Union Peace Fund, and appointment of its Board of Trustees, explaining that such reworkings can provide “predictable and sustainable financing” of the Union’s peace and security initiatives.