University of Toronto Student Group visits Addis Ababa

Ambassador Michael A. Battle discussing with the students from the University of Toronto

Students asking questions

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – On February 23, United States Mission to the African Union (USAU) Ambassador Michael Battle met with students from the University of Toronto to discuss the role of the mission in the broader context of the United States’ diplomatic relations with the African Union (AU) and the African continent.  The students were on a trip to Addis Ababa to speak with various leaders at the AU about current continental events and the organization’s mandate as it celebrates its tenth anniversary since transitioning from the Organization of African Unity (OAU).

Ambassador Battle spoke with the students about USAU’s overall engagement  with the AU, as well as how the mission works to ensure that the AU continues to strengthen its position as it continues to pursue its mandate of continental integration and serves as the central body for the facilitation, coordination, and monitoring of African solutions on the continent.

Ambassador Battle, USAU Political/Public Diplomacy Officer Jasmine White, and the students discussed a range of issues from across the continent, including election monitoring and democratic governance, U.S. economic policies toward Africa, gender equality and women’s rights, AU partner group relations, as well as the AU’s work with the African Diaspora living in North America on Pan-African issues.  

Several students commented that they were extremely surprised and impressed by the range of issues on which the U.S. and the African Union were engaging.  A student from the U.S. studying at the University of Toronto commented that she was happy to know that USAU was actively working on a variety of social issues, primarily disabilities, with the AU.