**Cabo Verde President Calls for Deep Reform of the African Union Ahead of Luanda Summit**
*Luanda, 29 August 2026* – President José Maria Neves of Cabo Verde reiterated on Sunday the need for a “deep reform” of the African Union (AU) to improve the organization’s ability to implement its decisions. Speaking to Portuguese news agency Lusa on the sidelines of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the AU Heads of State and Government, Neves said the AU must become more efficient and achieve greater results.
The summit, convened in Angola’s capital, focuses exclusively on conflict prevention across the continent. Neves, the first Lusophone African head of state to arrive in Luanda for the meeting, highlighted the importance of activating the AU’s Early Warning and Early Action Mechanism, a proposal that has been under discussion for several years.
“We must establish a continent‑wide, multi‑level governance system that redistributes work among the AU, sub‑regional bodies and individual states,” Neves told Lusa. “These reforms will involve changes to structures, norms, rules and mental habits, which are not easy, but they are necessary if we are to prevent and resolve conflicts and address constitutional ruptures.” He added that the AU should act as a “relevant political actor” with the capacity to influence outcomes on the ground, and that it must mobilize sufficient material, financial and human resources to support concrete actions.
Neves’ remarks came after a morning meeting with Angolan President João Lourenço, the host of the summit. The two leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues, including tourism, transport and defence cooperation, and explored ways to revitalize their partnership. The Cabo Verdean president also welcomed Angola’s announcement that TAAG – Angola Airlines – will resume flights linking Luanda with Dakar and Praia, a move he said will strengthen regional connectivity.
The AU Executive Council is currently in Luanda preparing documents for the extraordinary summit, which is scheduled to open with speeches by President Lourenço, AU Commission Chairperson Mohamed Ali Youssouf, and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who also serves as the AU’s chair. Following the opening ceremony, the summit will proceed behind closed doors; no international partners have been invited, and only accredited diplomatic missions and organizations will attend the closing session.
Organizers expect the attendance of at least ten heads of state, an equal number of prime ministers, several vice‑presidents and numerous ministers. The summit’s agenda centers on translating the AU’s decisions into actionable policies, with particular emphasis on the early warning mechanism and the broader institutional reforms advocated by President Neves.
Article and image source: expressodasilhas.cv
