Ethiopia Doubles Its African Union Bill Just as Washington Steps Back
Addis Ababa moves from Tier Two to Tier One of the AU's scale of assessment, nearly doubling its annual payment. It buys no extra votes. The post Ethiopia Doubles Its African Union Bill Just as Washington Steps Back appeared first on The Rio Times .
In a move that aligns with the end of American support for the AU Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), Ethiopia has increased its contribution to the African Union (AU) to nearly US$15 million a year, nearly double its current assessment. This move sees Ethiopia join the elite Tier One funding tier, which now includes Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco, and Angola.
Together, these countries account for roughly 45.15% of assessed contributions to the AU's regular budget and Peace Fund. However, the larger payment brings no additional voting power within the organization. While the AU has spent years trying to reduce its dependence on outside donors, over 40% of member states still do not consistently meet their annual obligations.
Sudan has accumulated unpaid assessments of about US$74 million. The US has notified the AU it will not provide funding for the AUSSOM beyond December 31, 2026, citing concerns over the pace at which Somali authorities are assuming responsibility for national security.
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