African Union

== Foreign relations ==
{{main|Foreign relations of the African Union}}
The individual member states of the African Union coordinate foreign policy through this agency, in addition to conducting their own [[international relations]] on a state-by-state basis. The AU represents the interests of African peoples at large in [[intergovernmental organisation]]s (IGOs); for instance, it is a [[United Nations General Assembly observers|permanent observer]] at the [[United Nations General Assembly]]. Both the African Union and the United Nations work in tandem to address issues of common concerns in various areas. The African Union Mission to the United Nations aspires to serve as a bridge between the two organisations.

Membership of the AU overlaps with other IGOs, and occasionally, these third-party organisations and the AU will coordinate on matters of public policy. The African Union maintains special diplomatic representation with the [[Ambassadors from the United States|United States]] and the [[European Union Special Representative|European Union]].

===Africa–Caribbean relations===
{{See also|Group of 77|Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States}}

Many Caribbean nations have sought to deepen ties with the continent of [[Africa]].  The African Union-bloc has referred to the Caribbean as the potential "Sixth Region" of the African Union.<ref>[https://www.thestateofafricandiaspora.com/headquarters/ African Union 6th Region Diaspora Headquarters to be established in Accompong, Jamaica] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230311035309/https://thestateofafricandiaspora.com/headquarters/ |date=11 March 2023 }}, 24 January 2018.</ref> Some Caribbean states have already moved to join Africa institutions including Barbados,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbc.bb/cbctest/news/local-news/barbados-inks-mou-with-african-export-import-bank/|title=Barbados inks MOU with African Export-Import Bank|first=Lorna|last=Jones|access-date=17 July 2022|archive-date=17 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717182615/https://www.cbc.bb/cbctest/news/local-news/barbados-inks-mou-with-african-export-import-bank/|url-status=live}}</ref> the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and Guyana which all became members of the African Export Import Bank.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.afreximbank.com/barbados-parliament-ratifies-partnership-agreement-with-afreximbank-as-guyanaand-bahamas-join-caricom-signatories/|title=Barbados Parliament ratifies Partnership Agreement with Afreximbank, as Guyanaand Bahamas join CARICOM signatories|date=5 December 2022|website=African Export-Import Bank|access-date=10 September 2023|archive-date=23 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323124813/https://www.afreximbank.com/barbados-parliament-ratifies-partnership-agreement-with-afreximbank-as-guyanaand-bahamas-join-caricom-signatories/|url-status=dead}}</ref> And the [[Caribbean Development Bank]] signing a cooperation strategic partnership agreement with the African Development Bank (AfDB)<ref>[https://www.businessamlive.com/afdb-cdb-move-to-deepen-africa-caribbean-cooperation-sign-mou/ AfDB, CDB move to deepen Africa, Caribbean cooperation, sign MoU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625194438/https://www.businessamlive.com/afdb-cdb-move-to-deepen-africa-caribbean-cooperation-sign-mou/ |date=25 June 2022 }}, June 18, 2022</ref> The country of Antigua and Barbuda has also shown interest in a direct transport link between Africa and the Caribbean.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-01-09 |title=Antigua Airways is airborne and ready to become the "pride of the Caribbean" |url=https://antiguanewsroom.com/antigua-airways-is-airborne-and-ready-to-become-the-pride-of-the-caribbean/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Antigua News Room |language=en-US |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423231330/https://antiguanewsroom.com/antigua-airways-is-airborne-and-ready-to-become-the-pride-of-the-caribbean/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pande |first=Pranjal |date=2023-01-30 |title=Virtual Carrier Antigua Airways Forced To Suspend Flights |url=https://simpleflying.com/antigua-airways-forced-suspend-flights/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Simple Flying |language=en |archive-date=7 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807045158/https://simpleflying.com/antigua-airways-forced-suspend-flights/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=jennelsa.johnson |date=2023-04-17 |title=Government has not given up on Antigua Airways as company seeks to make comeback |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/government-has-not-given-up-on-antigua-airways-as-company-seeks-to-make-comeback/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB |archive-date=24 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230424072842/https://antiguaobserver.com/government-has-not-given-up-on-antigua-airways-as-company-seeks-to-make-comeback/ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, it has resulted some challenges regarding migration.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-28 |title=3 dead, 13 missing in Caribbean sinking; 14 Africans saved |url=https://apnews.com/article/antigua-boat-capsized-missing-dead-3a4393548ee5ad91a44d9687ec96a4d7 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=AP NEWS |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531093832/https://apnews.com/article/antigua-boat-capsized-missing-dead-3a4393548ee5ad91a44d9687ec96a4d7 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Vivian |date=2023-03-29 |title=Tragedy at sea: Boat carrying African migrants from Antigua capsizes near St Kitts |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/tragedy-at-sea-boat-carrying-african-migrants-from-antigua-capsizes-near-st-kitts/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB |archive-date=20 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520064903/https://antiguaobserver.com/tragedy-at-sea-boat-carrying-african-migrants-from-antigua-capsizes-near-st-kitts/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Michael |first=Vivian |date=2023-03-31 |title=Fury as gov't says it bears no responsibility for migrant boat tragedy |url=https://antiguaobserver.com/fury-as-govt-says-it-bears-no-responsibility-for-migrant-boat-tragedy/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Antigua Observer Newspaper |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230419124847/https://antiguaobserver.com/fury-as-govt-says-it-bears-no-responsibility-for-migrant-boat-tragedy/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Less than 600 West African migrants remain in Antigua {{!}} Loop Caribbean News |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/less-600-west-african-migrants-remain-antigua |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=Loop News |language=en |archive-date=10 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230910051756/https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/less-600-west-african-migrants-remain-antigua |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-07 |title=The migrants stranded on an island they had not heard of |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64785503 |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=22 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230822235248/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64785503 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-02-11 |title=Antigua Government says no automatic citizenship for stranded Africans |url=https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/caribbean-news/antigua-government-says-no-automatic-citizenship-for-stranded-africans/ |access-date=2023-04-19 |website=CNW Network |language=en-US |archive-date=23 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230423182748/https://www.caribbeannationalweekly.com/news/caribbean-news/antigua-government-says-no-automatic-citizenship-for-stranded-africans/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Africa–China relations ===
{{main|Africa–China relations}}
One of the leading economic partners of the continent has been the [[People's Republic of China]] (PRC). The [[Forum on China–Africa Cooperation]] is the main multi-lateral coordination mechanism between the African countries and China.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murphy |first=Dawn C. |year=2022 |title=China's rise in the Global South: The Middle East, Africa, and Beijing's alternative world order |publisher=Stanford University Press |isbn=978-1-5036-3060-4 |location=Stanford, California |pages=56 |oclc=1249712936}}</ref> Since joining FOCAC in 2012, the African Union has increasingly played a coordinating role, although each African country in FOCAC continues to represent itself individually.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Murphy |first=Dawn C. |title=China's rise in the Global South: The Middle East, Africa, and Beijing's alternative world order |publisher=Stanford University Press |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-5036-3060-4 |location=Stanford, California |page=57 |oclc=1249712936}}</ref>

===Africa–EU relations===
For the European Commission, the European Union's relationship with Africa is a key priority. The future Africa-EU partnership vision of the European Commission and the European External Action Service is outlined in the Joint Communication "Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa". It proposes partnering on:<ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2020-11-03|title=Africa-EU Partnership|url=https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/africa-eu-partnership_en|access-date=2021-05-28|website=International Partnerships - European Commission|language=en|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510085246/https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/africa-eu-partnership_en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=EUR-Lex - 52020JC0004 - EN - EUR-Lex|url=https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?qid=1583753318333&uri=JOIN:2020:4:FIN|access-date=2021-05-28|website=eur-lex.europa.eu|archive-date=16 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516184133/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?qid=1583753318333&uri=JOIN:2020:4:FIN|url-status=live}}</ref>
* Green Transition and Energy Access
* Digital Transformation
* Sustainable Growth and Jobs<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mobilising Investments for African structural sustainable transformation {{!}} The Africa-EU Partnership|url=https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/strategic-priority-areas/mobilising-investments-african-structural-sustainable-transformation|access-date=2021-05-28|website=africa-eu-partnership.org|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513082259/https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/strategic-priority-areas/mobilising-investments-african-structural-sustainable-transformation|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="africa-eu-partnership.org">{{Cite web|title=Strengthening Resilience, Peace, Security and Governance {{!}} The Africa-EU Partnership|url=https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/strategic-priority-areas/strengthening-resilience-peace-security-and-governance|access-date=2021-05-28|website=africa-eu-partnership.org|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510085847/https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/strategic-priority-areas/strengthening-resilience-peace-security-and-governance|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* Peace, Security and Governance<ref name="africa-eu-partnership.org"/>
* Migration and Mobility<ref>{{Cite web|title=Migration and mobility {{!}} The Africa-EU Partnership|url=https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/strategic-priority-areas/migration-and-mobility|access-date=2021-05-28|website=africa-eu-partnership.org|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510085848/https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/strategic-priority-areas/migration-and-mobility|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On 2 December 2020, five Africa-Europe Foundation Strategy Groups were established in the areas of Health, Digital, Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems, Sustainable energy and Transport and Connectivity. It was done together with a consortium comprising Friends of Europe, Mo Ibrahim Foundation and IPEMED.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Anonymous|date=2020-11-03|title=Africa-EU Partnership|url=https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/africa-eu-partnership_en|access-date=2021-05-28|website=International Partnerships - European Commission|language=en|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510085246/https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/topics/africa-eu-partnership_en|url-status=live}}</ref>

In regards to strengthening resilience, peace, security and governance, the African Union and the European Union recognize that resilience, peace, security and governance are all closely linked. Peace and security are important elements for sustainable development, prosperity and resilience of societies.<ref name="africa-eu-partnership.org"/> For ensuring peace and security, it had worked out the African Peace Facility.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The African Peace Facility {{!}} The Africa-EU Partnership|url=https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/success-stories/african-peace-facility|access-date=2021-05-28|website=africa-eu-partnership.org|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510143315/https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/success-stories/african-peace-facility|url-status=dead}}</ref> This has been itself replaced in 2021 by the European Peace Facility.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Questions & Answers: The European Peace Facility|url=https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/46286/questions-answers-european-peace-facility_en|access-date=2021-05-28|website=EEAS - European External Action Service - European Commission|language=en|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510092550/https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/46286/questions-answers-european-peace-facility_en|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The European Peace Facility and what's in it for the African Union|url=https://ecdpm.org/publications/latest-european-peace-facility-african-union/|access-date=2021-05-28|website=ECDPM|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510092549/https://ecdpm.org/publications/latest-european-peace-facility-african-union/|url-status=live}}</ref> The AU and EU are also partnering on promoting sustainable resources management, [[Climate change adaptation|environmental resilience]], and [[Climate change in Africa|climate change mitigation]]<ref name="africa-eu-partnership.org"/> The [[Africa Adaptation Initiative]] is also being supported by the [[European Union]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=European Union ramps up support to Africa Adaptation Initiative with EUR 1 million grant {{!}} UNDP in Africa|url=https://www.africa.undp.org/content/rba/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2020/european-union-ramps-up-support-to-africa-adaptation-initiative-.html|access-date=2021-05-28|website=UNDP|language=en|archive-date=10 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510103326/https://www.africa.undp.org/content/rba/en/home/presscenter/pressreleases/2020/european-union-ramps-up-support-to-africa-adaptation-initiative-.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Africa–India relations===
{{main|Africa-India relations}}
[[File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing the First India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi on April 08, 2008.jpg|thumb|Inaugural [[India–Africa Forum Summit]] held in New Delhi, 2008]]
The [[India–Africa Forum Summit]] (IAFS) is the official platform for the [[Africa-India relations|African-Indian relations]]. IAFS is held once in every three years. It was first held from April&nbsp;4 to April&nbsp;8, 2008 in [[New Delhi]], [[India]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Anjana |last=Pasricha |title=India-Africa Summit Pledges Close Partnership |date=April 9, 2008 |publisher=Voice of America |url=http://voanews.com/english/archive/2008-04/2008-04-09-voa28.cfm |work=VOA News |access-date=January 3, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081117062233/http://voanews.com/english/archive/2008-04/2008-04-09-voa28.cfm |archive-date=November 17, 2008 }}</ref> In 2015, the [[Third India-Africa Forum Summit]] was held in [[New Delhi]] and summit was attended by 51 heads of states of the African Union.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Biggest-diplomatic-event-India-Africa-summit-from-October-26/articleshow/46691914.cms|title=Biggest diplomatic event: India-Africa summit from October 26|website=[[The Times of India]] |date=25 March 2015 }}</ref> In 2023, the African Union was admitted to [[G20]] under the presidency of [[India]], chaired by Prime Minister [[Narendra Modi]] in [[New Delhi]].

=== Africa–Russia relations ===
[[File:President Assoumali and Putin, 28 July 2023.jpg|thumb|[[Azali Assoumani]], Chair of the African Union, with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] at the [[2023 Russia–Africa Summit]] in St. Petersburg]]
Russia hosted the first [[2019 Russia–Africa Summit|Africa-Russia heads-of-state summit]] on October 23–24, 2019, Representatives from all 54 African states, including 43 heads-of-state or government, attended the summit. The second summit is expected to be held this year, though the date and venue of the summit are not yet determined.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Date and venue of Russia-Africa summit not yet determined—Russian senior diplomat|url=https://tass.com/politics/1395855|access-date=2022-02-05|website=TASS|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205120805/https://tass.com/politics/1395855|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[2023 Russia-Africa Summit|second Russia-Africa Summit]] was scheduled for October 2022 in [[Addis Ababa]], but was then rescheduled to 26–29 July 2023 in [[Saint Petersburg]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Most African nations will attend Russia's second Africa-Russia summit in St Petersburg |url=https://www.intellinews.com/most-african-nations-will-attend-russia-s-second-africa-russia-summit-in-st-petersburg-272876/ |work=[[bne IntelliNews]] |date=14 March 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-date=23 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230523080625/http://www.intellinews.com/most-african-nations-will-attend-russia-s-second-africa-russia-summit-in-st-petersburg-272876/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=African Union chair: Putin's grain offer not enough, Ukraine ceasefire needed |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-union-chair-putins-grain-offer-not-enough-ukraine-ceasefire-needed-2023-07-28/ |work=Reuters |date=28 July 2023 |access-date=10 September 2023 |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903111238/https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/african-union-chair-putins-grain-offer-not-enough-ukraine-ceasefire-needed-2023-07-28/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Africa–Turkey relations ===

Turkey–Africa relations have gained substantial momentum since the declaration of Turkey as a strategic partner of the continent by the African Union in January 2008. Since 2008, various major summits and meetings have been taking place between Turkey and AU. The first summit was The Turkey–Africa Cooperation summit, Istanbul in August 2008.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkey-and-the-african-union.en.mfa|title=From Rep. Of Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020032410/https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkey-and-the-african-union.en.mfa|url-status=live}}</ref>

As of 2020, Turkey has embassies in 42 countries and commercial counselors in 26 countries on the Africa continent. Turkey's national flag carrier [[Turkish Airlines]] also flies to 35 destinations on the continent.

=== Africa–United States relations ===
[[File:P20221215AS-1181 (52651359240).jpg|thumb|[[African Union Commission|AUC]] Chairperson [[Moussa Faki]], US President [[Joe Biden]] and African leaders at the [[United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022|United States–Africa Leaders Summit]] in Washington, D.C., 15 December 2022]]

In 2017, [[Donald Trump]], [[President of the United States]], issued an executive order to ban citizens from seven countries with suspected links to terrorism from entering the United States. Three of these are African countries, and members of the AU. During the 28th African Union Summit in Ethiopia, African leaders criticised the ban as they expressed their growing concerns for the future of the African economy under President Trump's leadership and subsequent policies.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.democracynow.org/2017/1/31/headlines/african_union_slams_trump_muslim_ban_invoking_legacy_of_transatlantic_slave_trade |title=African Union Slams Trump Muslim Ban, Invoking Legacy of Transatlantic Slave Trade |website=Democracy Now! |access-date=1 February 2017 |archive-date=31 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131185724/https://www.democracynow.org/2017/1/31/headlines/african_union_slams_trump_muslim_ban_invoking_legacy_of_transatlantic_slave_trade |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Africa–Israel relations ===
The African Union periodically invite the President of the State of Palestine to make opening speech during its annual Summit in Addis Ababa. According to Article 10 of the Rules of Procedure of the Union, during the opening of the meeting sessions, the President of the State of Palestine in person is entitled to make opening speech.  
After the [[Operation Al-Aqsa Flood|Hamas attack on Israel]] in October 2023, African Union Commission Chairperson [[Moussa Faki]] expressed his "utmost concern" at the situation and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, additionally, he recalled that denial of the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people, particularly that of an independent and sovereign [[State of Palestine]], was the "main cause of the permanent Israeli-Palestinian tension."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Njaaga |first=David |title=African Union calls for end to Israel-Palestine hostilities |url=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001483044/au-calls-for-end-to-israel-palestine-war |date=7 October 2023 |website=The Standard |language=en |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009020518/https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001483044/au-calls-for-end-to-israel-palestine-war |url-status=live }}</ref>