‘Not appropriate’: AU chief clarifies private jet photo after condemnation

African UnionAfrican Union Commission chairman Mahmoud Ali Youssouf rushed to issue a clarification as a photo showing his spokesperson on a private jet elicited criticism of the continental body he leads.The image which has since been deleted was posted Tuesday on X by Youssouf’s spokesperson Nuur Mohamud Sheekh. It showed Sheekh seated on a jet featuring a bed, reading a magazine with refreshments on a table.He captioned the photo ‘Au revoir beautiful Luanda’.On his official X account, Youssouf explained that the jet was offered by the Angolan President -holder of the African Union chair – to transport him to a subsequent engagement after speaking at a meeting on financing African infrastructure in Luanda, Angola’s capital.”Our Union has no resources to rent a special flight to the AUC.

I thank HE President Lourenco. The picture of my spokesperson was not appropriate. I admit that,” he wrote.In a separate statement, Sheekh apologized for publishing the photo, saying it was ‘ill-judged’.”I sincerely regret sharing the photo & any unintended impressions it created. The gesture was only meant to reflect the kind hospitality of the Gov’t & people of Angola,” he said.Sheekh’s photo drew swift condemnation, with users accusing the African Union of insensitivity. They mentioned the bloc’s muted response to events in Sudan, Cameroon and Tanzania.