African Union commission signs MoU with KAICIID to advance dialogue and peace

Africa, Politics

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (NPA) — The African Union Commission (AUC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), aimed at strengthening cooperation in promoting dialogue as a foundation for peace, stability, and sustainable development across Africa.

Speaking at the signing ceremony on 20 April 2026, AUC Deputy Chairperson H.E. Selma Malika Haddadi described the agreement as a milestone in advancing shared commitments to conflict prevention, social cohesion, and inclusive governance.

“This Agreement reflects more than institutional cooperation; it affirms a common strategic vision that interreligious and intercultural dialogue is indispensable to conflict prevention, social cohesion, and the building of resilient, inclusive societies,” Haddadi said.

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Guided by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want, the MoU underscores key principles, including:

• Promoting dialogue and tolerance as tools for conflict resolution.
• Engaging governments, civil society, faith-based actors, and citizens in shaping peace.
• Empowering youth and women as central actors in mediation and resilience.
• Translating commitments into practical cooperation through joint programmes, capacity-building, and knowledge exchange.

The partnership builds on earlier cooperation between the AU and KAICIID dating back to 2016, and a formal MoU signed in 2019. Haddadi noted that the renewed agreement reflects a determination to counter the misuse of religion and culture as drivers of conflict, instead harnessing them as forces for reconciliation and human solidarity.

She emphasised that the collaboration will provide a structured platform for scaling initiatives through the Citizens and Diaspora Organisations Directorate (CIDO) and the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), ensuring dialogue is anchored both at policy level and within communities.

“This Memorandum is not an endpoint, but a platform for actions anchored in shared values, mutual respect, and a firm commitment to advancing peace through dialogue,” Haddadi concluded.