Amidst the global disruption being wreaked by the Trump administration, a new man takes the helm of the African Union. Expectations are high as the continent faces a complex mix of challenges: an increase in the number of conflicts, the damaging impact of climate change, growing poverty and inequality and the shift in global power dynamics.

Djiboutian MAHMOUD ALI YOUSSOUF has an overflowing in-tray. We discuss the challenges with the AU's former envoy to Washington, Dr ARIKANA CHIHOMBORI. Anyone who's heard Ambassador Chihombori knows that she doesn't mince her words. And she certainly doesn't hold back as she give us her assessment of what the African Union chairman faces in 2025.

• She recommends an inventory of what lies BEHIND the problems faced by the continent, the root causes.
• Ambassador Chihombori blames many of the continent's conflicts on the activities of western multinationals
• She applauds President Trump's decision to withdraw overseas aid, saying that most of it goes to fund the lavish lifestyles of a few African elites
• Dr Chihombori showers with praise the juntas of the Sahel for ridding themselves of French neo-colonial influence
• DONU KOGBARA pushes back and suggests that Africans are perfectly capable of instigating senseless violence themselves without outside influence
• What would Ambassador Chihombori do if she were head of the AU? She would counter western-inspired narratives by creating a truly pan-African media to arms Africans with facts and the truth.

Thank goodness for Africa Here and Now - the conversation you've always wanted to have about the continent!

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