The African Union has raised concerns over a new United States presidential memorandum ordering an end to US participation in, and funding for, several multilateral institutions, warning the move could have consequences for development and stability across Africa.
In a statement, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, said he had taken note of the decision, which also includes a withdrawal from some non-UN international organisations.
Mr Youssouf acknowledged Washington’s sovereign right to reassess its international commitments in line with national priorities, but stressed that the US has long been a key partner for Africa and a central pillar of the multilateral system.
He said American leadership and resources have played a significant role in advancing global peace, development, humanitarian action and human dignity.
Aligning himself with comments from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the AU Commission chair underlined the importance of a strong and inclusive multilateral system at a time of mounting global challenges, including conflict, climate change, economic uncertainty and public health threats.
The AU highlighted that several of the bodies affected by the US decision — including the UN Economic Commission for Africa, UN Women, UNFPA, UNCTAD and peacebuilding mechanisms — are critical to Africa’s development agenda.
According to the Commission, these institutions support economic growth, gender equality, post-conflict recovery and the protection of vulnerable populations, while also helping to implement the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
The AU warned that any reduction in their capacity could undermine development gains, peacebuilding efforts and community resilience, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected regions.
Mr Youssouf said Africa’s partnership with the United States has traditionally been built on shared interests such as peace and security, economic opportunity, democratic governance and global stability, with multilateral platforms serving as effective tools for achieving those goals.
The African Union Commission expressed hope that continued dialogue between the US, the United Nations and international partners would help preserve essential multilateral functions, improve efficiency and accountability, and protect the world’s most vulnerable people.
It reaffirmed its commitment to working with all partners, including the United States, to strengthen a rules-based international order and maintain the principles of solidarity and collective responsibility that have guided decades of international cooperation.
The AU concluded by restating its firm support for multilateralism as a cornerstone for tackling global challenges and promoting shared peace, security and prosperity.
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