ADDIS ABABA, Mar 25 – The African Union has appointed former Tanzanian president Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete as its high representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, aiming to strengthen diplomacy and peace initiatives in a region critical to global trade.
The decision by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chair of the African Union Commission, on Wednesday comes at a time when overlapping conflicts and fragile transitions are putting pressure on the Horn and spilling into shipping lanes linking Africa to the Middle East and Europe.
In his new role, Kikwete will coordinate closely with regional blocs including Intergovernmental Authority on Development and East African Community, as well as international partners such as the United Nations and League of Arab States. The AU said this coordinated approach is designed to ensure coherent and effective responses to the complex political and security landscape of the Horn of Africa.
The Horn of Africa and the Red Sea corridor hold strategic importance for shipping and trade between Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Instability in the area has raised concerns among international investors, particularly regarding maritime security and regional commerce.
Kikwete, who served as Tanzania’s president from 2005 to 2015, has previously been involved in regional peace efforts, giving him familiarity with the diplomatic terrain.
