The 37th AU Summit opened against the backdrop of multiple crises in Africa and internationally
The 37th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) kicked off this Saturday, February 24, in Addis Ababa. Among the major issues to be addressed are the tensions linked to unconstitutional changes, military confrontations and conflicts that are escalating across the continent.
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With our special correspondent in Addis Ababa, Sidi Yansane
Many heads of state and government have spoken on African issues, but also on international issues.
Ethiopian Prime Minister and summit host Abiy Ahmed was the first leader to speak. In his speech, he highlighted Africa’s progress since the end of the colonial era and the challenges the continent now faces. First, the education of all its children, the theme of this 37th summit, climate change and the need to reform the global financial architecture, currently to the disadvantage of the countries of the South and their development. A term coined by Comorian Azali Assomani who promoted the concept of the “blue economy” which the Comoros archipelago considers as an important development lever.
And then, from now on, Africa also wants to influence world affairs, especially since it is now a member of the G20 since last September.
On international topics, the situation in the Middle East, and particularly the war in Gaza, was at the center of the speeches. The Secretary General of the Arab League condemned the war “ uncivilized “and one” ethnic cleansing » Led by Israel. The president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, was eventually represented by his prime minister, who issued a particularly aggressive statement against the Jewish state and thanked the African Union for raising Palestine’s voice.
And then the guest of honor at this summit, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, was especially applauded, pointing out the fact that half of the 200 million Brazilians declare themselves to be of Afro-descendant. He advocated the need for a new world order in which Africa should play a leading role.
And finally, Mauritania was confirmed as the rotating president of the African Union for the next twelve months and Angola will hold the vice-presidency.
The President of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, in his speech, highlighted the urgency of the crisis currently plaguing the continent.
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