African Union Appoints Former Tanzanian President as High Representative for Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region

The African Union has announced the appointment of former Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete as the Union’s High Representative, amid rising diplomatic and security tensions in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region.

In a statement issued today, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Yusuf said Kikwete will support continental efforts to address the region’s “complex political, peace, and security situations.”

According to the Union, the High Representative’s mandate is to “promote preventive diplomacy, facilitate inclusive political dialogue, build trust among stakeholders, and strengthen regional cooperation frameworks that can lead to sustainable peace.”

The AU noted that Kikwete will work closely with regional and international partners, including IGAD, the East African Community (EAC), the Arab League, and the United Nations.

“This integrated partnership is of utmost importance given the strategic relevance of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region to global trade and Africa’s stability,” the statement added. Chairperson Yusuf expressed his “full confidence” in Kikwete’s leadership, emphasizing that his experience and wisdom would be invaluable in addressing regional challenges.

The appointment comes at a time of heightened diplomatic and military tensions. Relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea have once again deteriorated, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed warning that Ethiopia will not tolerate Eritrea’s attempts to destabilize the country, cautioning that any further provocation “will be the last.”

Meanwhile, tensions along Ethiopia’s western border with Sudan have escalated. Sudanese officials accuse Ethiopia of supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) militants in their bid to control the strategic Kurdistan Region in Blue Nile State. According to the Sudan Tribune, a Sudanese government official alleged that Ethiopia has allowed militants to operate from its territory and conduct drone attacks. Addis Ababa has yet to respond to the accusations.

Kikwete, who served as Tanzania’s president from 2005 to 2015, is widely recognized for his diplomatic and peacekeeping efforts across Africa. His appointment is seen as a strategic move to help defuse the risk of conflict and foster stability in the Red Sea region.