VICTORIA, Seychelles, July 30, 2026/APO Group/ —
On the final day of the Council, Ambassador Faure, Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Diaspora of the Republic of Seychelles, conveyed Seychelles’ appreciation to H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, for graciously attending the national celebrations marking the 50th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Seychelles. He highlighted the role that the continental body had played in the country’s struggle for Independence. These remarks were welcomed with a general applause by the Council.
During the concluding proceedings, the Executive Council considered the draft working programme and the declaration of the 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting which is scheduled to take place on 4th October 2026 in El Alamein, Egypt.
The Council also considered and adopted the decisions emanating from its 49th Ordinary Session, reflecting the outcomes of deliberations on key continental priorities and matters on the AU agenda, including the Commission’s new scale of assessment for membership. Ambassador Barry Faure expressed Seychelles’ support for the Harmonised Option, noting that it is underpinned by the principles of capacity to pay, solidarity and equitable burden-sharing among AU Member States.
Ambassador Barry Faure also expressed support for the adoption of the Terms of Reference of the AU Steering Committee on Partnerships, and welcomed the Permanent Representative Committee’s role, with the Commission, in ensuring its consistent use in negotiating outcome documents across AU Partnership processes.
The conclusion of the Executive Council paves the way for the 8th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, which will bring together members of the AU to further strengthen coordination and advance Africa’s integration agenda.