The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem of Rhodes and of Malta has maintained a permanent representation to facilitate diplomatic relations with the African Union Commission since 2014. The Permanent Representation exists, like all the diplomatic initiatives of the Order of Malta, to support and extend the humanitarian goals of the Order of Malta and its members. The neutral, impartial, and non-political nature of the Order of Malta permits for humanitarian intervention in a timely and valuable nature as well as for a welcoming presence amongst fellow members of the African Union. Diplomats assist in ensuring the cooperation of countries or multilateral agencies in the Order of Malta’s effective delivery of aid and personnel into what are often the least inviting of circumstances. There are currently 38 African countries with which the Order has diplomatic relations, and all are represented at the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa. The African Union is an essential arena for an active Order of Malta presence.

Our African Union involvement allows us to keep a close watch on global and continental issues, and to maintain contact with countries that are recipients of our help as well as those which contribute to the work we do.

We have been, and continue to be, a consistent participant in discussions around such concerns as peacekeeping, the Sustainable Development Goals, human trafficking, biodiversity, climate change, refugee and migrant issues and religious freedom, among many others. The Order presents a message of solidarity to the African community and a commitment to stand at the forefront of service for, and on behalf of, the forgotten people of our world and those who are left behind.

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations: 2013

• Ambassador Alberto Bertoldi (2014-2019)
• Ambassador Paolo Borin (2019-2023)
• Ambassador Michael Murphy (2023-Present)