(3 Minutes Read)
The upshot of the pre-summit was the acrimony let loose in the Union triggered by unsavoury developments that are taking place in the regional blocs. Military coups, pre- and post-election violence, humanitarian crises linked to war, and the effects of climate change are some of them.
As the African Union (AU) is about to kick off tomorrow Saturday 17th February, leaders from the continent are trying to grapple with some of the fundamental issues being faced by the Union. Before the Summit, the Executive Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the African Union was held in Addis Ababa on 14 -15th of February.
The upshot of the pre-summit was the acrimony let loose in the Union triggered by unsavoury developments that are taking place in the regional blocs. Military coups, pre- and post-election violence, humanitarian crises linked to war, and the effects of climate change are some of them. The meeting chaired by the AU Commission chair Moussa Faki Mahamat took stock of the situation and resolved to address them resolutely.
Echoing the views expressed by Faki, Comoros Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Chair of the Executive Council, also underscored terrorism, violent extremism, and unconstitutional changes of government as a challenge to the democratic processes on the continent.
Faki sounded the alarm on a new phenomenon of the collapse of institutions of regional and continental governance as Mali and Burkina Faso announced their immediate withdrawal from ECOWAS. Officially though, the ECOWAS treaty provides that its member states who wish to quit the bloc shall give its leadership a one-year written notice. But in the present case, such norms were not followed. Faki expressed concerns about the spread effect of such violations of laid down principles, which is rocking other regional blocs also.
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The 37th AU summit will kick off on Saturday (Feb. 17). The assembly of heads of state and government will further deliberate on the roadmap for the theme of the year 2024 on Education, preparations for the elections of the Members of the African Union Commission, the institutional and financial reforms of the Union, as well as a range of issues including agriculture and health advancements.
