- The Israeli delegation was barred from entering the AU headquarters in Ethiopia on Wednesday.
- The Chair called on the AU to address climate change and the undermining of democracy and human rights. Overall.
- The theme of this year's summit is centered around education.
Events leading up to this weekend's African Union (AU) summit are showing strong pro-Palestinian sentiment, but Israel remains suspended from observer status.
As in 2023, the Israeli delegation was reportedly barred from entering the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday.
The AU had previously issued a statement saying that the two-day ministerial meeting on February 14 and 15 was strictly a “1+0'' invitation to the heads of the missions to Ethiopia, with no transfers allowed.
AU Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat addressed delegates at a ministerial meeting on Wednesday, saying the Gaza conflict was an embarrassment to the world and a political solution was needed to end the conflict. Ta.
He said:
The suffering of the Palestinian people, deprived of their fundamental right to freedom and the constitution of a viable sovereign state, is compounded before our eyes by a war of extermination that will leave no mark on history.
“Early in this war and its accompanying unspeakable atrocities, we called for a cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages and prisoners of war, and a firm commitment to a political solution based on the principles of both countries.” “We live in peace and respect for international law, in complete security for the people of Israel and for all peoples of the region.”
South Africa has filed a lawsuit with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The ICJ ordered Israel to ensure that Israeli forces do not commit genocide, and to prohibit and punish incitement to genocide.
Israel was also required to provide humanitarian relief, preserve documents and submit a compliance report by February 26.
SA asked the ICJ on Monday to order additional emergency measures ahead of Israel's attack on Rafah.
Mr Mahamat said the AU was completely behind South Africa in tackling the Gaza conflict.
“I hereby welcome the International Court of Justice's judgment and pay tribute to the Republic of South Africa's firm commitment to this effect.”
conflict and governance
He added that the war, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, had a direct impact on Africa, which was further exacerbated by Africa's own conflicts.
“The impact of this global geopolitical fact is unfortunately severe, with countries such as Sudan suffering from flames and incredible devastation, and Somalia, which continues to be threatened by jihadism in the Horn of Africa context. This also extends to our continent, which is currently facing a situation of armed conflict, including the Great Lakes, where there is eternal tension in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, which is divided and constantly exposed to instability, and the United States, which is still at risk of terrorism. “Concerns continue, including in the Sahel region, which is currently undergoing a crisis.”
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The Chair also said the AU should comprehensively address climate change, democratic instability, human rights, unconstitutional regime change, coups, and inter-state and intra-state violence.
“Recurrent military coups, pre- and post-election violence, war-related humanitarian crises, and the effects of climate change are all very serious concerns for us.
“They pose a serious threat to the signs of Africa's emergence, of which we are all proud. “When you're there,” he said.
Senegalese President Macky Sall, a former AU chair, is expected to arrive at the summit after postponing elections in his home country scheduled for February 25.
In a statement on Wednesday, the AU called on Sall to return to the country's set schedule for holding elections. However, his government announced that elections would be held on December 15th.
Senegal has also experienced internet outages, which civil society groups say is an onslaught on freedom of expression and media.
Senegal has long been hailed as a pioneer of democracy in West Africa, but coups have been recurrent in recent years.
As a result of the coup, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Burkina Faso and Gabon were suspended from the AU.
Elections have been held in the Comoros since January, with outgoing AU Chairman President Azali Assoumani winning a fourth term.
big chance
Murithi Mutiga, Program Director for Africa at the International Crisis Group (ICG), said: “With violence escalating in many parts of Africa and the risk of inter-state war increasing, this year's AU Summit will bring many challenges to member states. “This is an important opportunity to address the issue.” Challenges facing the continent.
“Financial and political constraints limit the AU's ability to deliver on its commitments to mediation and peacekeeping, but it remains committed to advancing African perspectives in global discussions and addressing obstacles to peace and security on the continent.” The AU still plays an important role in this.
“Member States should use this opportunity to develop a roadmap for the year ahead and strengthen the institution's capacity to act effectively for peace,” he said.
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ICG's AU Senior Advisor Liesle Roux Vaudrin suggested that some of the least-watched crisis hotspots, such as Cameroon, should be on the agenda.
“African leaders gathering at the AU summit in Addis Ababa this weekend should use this opportunity to address Africa’s many devastating conflicts. Increase diplomacy to avoid escalation in the Great Lakes. Should.”
“They should do everything they can to end the war in Sudan. Last month, a new AU Commission for Sudan was appointed to lead the AU’s efforts and could work with other countries, including the UN Special Envoy for Sudan. was appointed.
“The AU should also keep communication channels open with Sahel countries and keep Cameroon's Anglophone conflict on the agenda,” she said.
The theme of this year's summit is “Educating Africans for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems to increase access to inclusive, lifelong, quality and relevant learning in Africa.”
News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hans Seidel Foundation. Articles produced through Africa Desk, and the opinions and statements contained herein, do not reflect the opinions and statements of the Hans His Seidel Foundation.
