News

Model African Union Bayreuth e.V. (BAYMAU25)

17.11.2025

From April 23 to 27, 2025, the University of Bayreuth hosted the annual Model African Union (MAU) conference, organized by the student association Model African Union Bayreuth e.V. This year’s conference brought together students, academics, and practitioners under the theme “Africa and the Shifting Geopolitical Landscape: Tackling Insecurities and Seizing Opportunities in a Multipolarizing World.”

Over five days, participants engaged in committee simulations, keynote sessions, workshops, and cultural events that highlighted Africa’s role in global affairs. The conference featured speeches by H.E. Ambassador Stella Mokaya Orina (Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the Federal Republic of Germany) and H.E. Salah S. Hammad (Head of the African Governance Architecture Secretariat).

Delegates represented AU member states in two Specialized Technical Committees (Finance & Economic Planning and Education & Technology). The conference provided a platform for young people to engage with African issues in a realistic and solution-oriented way. Through committee debates, keynote speeches, and interactive workshops, BAYMAU25 brought together diverse perspectives and fostered a spirit of collaboration, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.

Opening Ceremony and Keynotes

The conference began with an opening ceremony attended by representatives of the Cluster of Excellence Africa Multiple, with Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Seesemann (Dean of the Cluster of Excellence Africa Multiple) and of the Institute of African Studies (IAS) with Prof. Dr. Stefan Ouma (Deputy Director of the Institute of African Studies)

Distinguished keynote speakers set the tone for the days ahead. Among them were H.E. Ambassador Stella Mokaya Orina, Ambassador of Kenya to Germany, and H.E. Salah S. Hammad, Head of the African Governance Architecture Secretariat. Their speeches highlighted both the challenges and the opportunities facing African states in a multipolarizing world, from navigating shifting global alliances to addressing security, governance, and economic resilience.

Dr. Hamzat Boukari-Yabara’s opening Keynote on the topic “Roadmap to united and more robust Pan-African front in the global scene" revisited the idea of Panafricanism under current power shifts and reasserted the need for Africa to build a more united front on the global scene to craft its potential.

Workshops and Pre-Programme

In addition to the committee sessions, BAYMAU25 offered a rich pre-programme of workshops and panel discussions, led by scholars and practitioners. Topics ranged from regional integration and planetary health risks to the expansion of far-right movements. Participants also had the opportunity to engage with the challenges of African SME in accessing finance.

Workshops such as “Regional (Dis)integration in Africa” by Diana Kisakye and “Planetary Health Risks in Africa – Adapting Health Systems, Achieving Climate Justice” by Melvine Otieno equipped participants with analytical tools and broadened their understanding beyond the committee simulations. Prof. Stefan Ouma’s workshop on “Africa and the Shadow of the Global Far Right” was impactful, connecting African futures to global ideological shifts. In the workshop on information flows with Saïkou Oumar Sagnane, participants discussed and practiced how individuals deal with Information under specific socio-political contexts. These sessions not only provided academic grounding but also encouraged delegates to think creatively about long-term implications of policy-making.

The first panel, “From Dependency to Strategic Autonomy: Strengthening Africa’s Economic Sovereignty for Regional Integration and Collective Prosperity,” examined how African states can move beyond structural dependency toward genuine economic sovereignty. Moderated by Fiona Faye, the discussion featured Prof. Dr. Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba, Prof. Dr. Mehari Taddele Maru, and Tin Hinane El Kadi. The panellists explored the urgent need to reduce reliance on external financing and trade imbalances, while promoting stronger regional integration through instruments like the African Continental Free Trade Area. They emphasized that Africa’s collective bargaining power depends on institutions that are both resilient and self-sustaining, and that a reimagined economic paradigm could provide the foundation for long-term prosperity across the continent.

The second panel, “Forging Africa’s Path: Toward a Development Paradigm Aligned with Domestic Needs in Africa,” shifted the focus to development models and their alignment with African realities. Moderated by Pedro Affonso Ivo Franco, with contributions from Seyi Adisa, Cynthia Chigwenya, and Dr. Jane Ayeko Kümmeth, the discussion highlighted the limitations of external aid frameworks that often impose priorities disconnected from local contexts. Instead, panellists advocated for approaches driven by domestic needs, community resilience, and bottom-up innovation. By centering African voices in policymaking, they argued, development strategies can better address structural inequalities, unlock youth potential, and build models of growth that are both sustainable and authentically African.

Committee Sessions

At the core of BAYMAU25 were the committee sessions, modeled on the African Union’s Specialized Technical Committees (STCs). Delegates represented AU member states and debated pressing issues through position papers, negotiations, and draft resolutions. This year’s committees included:

1. STC on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration

The Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration focused on food self-sufficiency, economic sovereignty, and regional integration. Its resolution called for a “Made in Africa” certification to strengthen intra-African trade, the removal of 90% of intra-African tariffs and non-tariff barriers, and concrete agronomic and climate adaptation strategies to enhance resilience. It further proposed the creation of a Regional Currency Basket, managed by African financial institutions, as a pragmatic step toward greater monetary cooperation while respecting national sovereignty. Finally, the resolution urged investments in transport, energy, and digital infrastructure, supported by public-private partnerships and collaboration with the African Development Bank. Collectively, these measures aim to reinforce Africa’s autonomy, deepen economic integration, and promote sustainable development.

2. STC on Education, Science, and Technology

The Specialized Technical Committee on Education, Science and Technology (STC-EST) adopted a resolution establishing the African Leadership Exchange Programme (ALEP). This initiative aims to create an AU-wide mobility and exchange system for students, educators, and researchers, with special emphasis on marginalized groups such as rural youth, women, and those from conflict-affected regions. ALEP envisions scholarships, training hubs, and a Pan-African Qualifications Framework to harmonize degrees and facilitate professional mobility. It also proposes a dedicated visa scheme, a digital education platform, and reintegration incentives to ensure that participants return and contribute to their home countries’ development. By prioritizing equity, innovation, and indigenous knowledge systems, the resolution advances Agenda 2063’s educational and capacity-building goals.

Cultural Program

True to its spirit of intercultural exchange, BAYMAU25 complemented the political and academic programme with cultural events. An art exhibition featuring Sabelo Mcinziba's great artworks, "(With) these hands", at the opening of the conference and social gatherings created opportunities for informal dialogue and cross-cultural appreciation. The gala night, a highlight of the week, celebrated African music in its diversity.

Sponsors and Support

This year’s Model African Union Bayreuth e.V. conference was made possible through the generous financial and logistical support of the Cluster of Excellence “Africa Multiple” , which has been a longstanding partner of the association. Additional funding was kindly provided by Brot für die Welt and the Universitätsverein. We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to the Chair of Political Geography for its financial contribution and assistance with logistical arrangements.

Moreover, we extend our thanks to the local REWE, DM, Nahkauf, and Geseeser Landbäckerei for their kind support in providing snacks and refreshments during the conference days.

Outcomes and Reflections

Over five days, delegates demonstrated remarkable dedication and critical engagement. The committees produced draft resolutions that addressed financing AU operations, strengthening continental education systems, and advancing gender equality. While symbolic, these documents reflected the seriousness with which students approached their roles and the relevance of the themes to real-world African governance.

BAYMAU25 also succeeded in cultivating leadership skills among participants such as public speaking, negotiation, and cross-cultural communication, while deepening awareness of Africa’s complex realities. For many, it was both a learning experience and a call to action to engage more actively with global affairs.

The BAYMAU25 conference affirmed the growing importance of student-led diplomacy simulations in bridging knowledge gaps and inspiring future leaders. By combining academic rigor, diplomatic practice, and cultural exchange, the Model African Union Bayreuth e.V. continues to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of Africa’s role in global politics.

As one participant remarked, the conference was “not only a simulation, but a rehearsal for the world we want to build.” With its successful execution and strong participation, BAYMAU25 has set a high bar for future editions, leaving delegates with lasting memories, new friendships, and an expanded vision of Africa’s place in the multipolar world.