"Resurgence of military coups, pre- and post-election violence, humanitarian crises linked to war, and the effects of climate change" are the main issues of concern for the African Union, Chairperson of the organization's Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat, said at the AU Executive Council meeting of Foreign Ministers.
"They pose a serious threat to tarnish the signs of the emergence of the Africa of which we are proud. At a time when all these tragedies are killing in large numbers and throwing thousands of people into precariousness and misery," the chairperson highlighted.
He underlined the insecurity in Sudan, Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, and the Sahel region, which suffer from conflicts and terrorism, as major challenges on the continent.
This was echoed by the Comoros Foreign Minister and Chair of the Executive Council, Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, who noted that the African democracy is threatened by terrorism, violence, and unconstitutional changes of government.
"We have also spared no effort to find a lasting solution to the various crises that are currently affecting the continent," he said.
Both Faki and Dhoulkamal mentioned regional disintegration among the issues of concern.
"Another new phenomenon of collapse of our institutions of regional and continental governance is taking place, one that is affecting almost all regional economic communities (RECs)," Faki emphasized.
Dhoulkamal, in his turn, stressed that the fact that Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso left the Economic Community of West African States could stall political transitions in these countries, which are all governed by interim authorities.
"The withdrawal of these three countries from the regional bloc is not likely to promote a rapid return to institutional normalization. It is up to ECOWAS to enter into frank and sincere discussions with its three member states as soon as possible in order to find a way out of this situation, which is harmful to both parties, quickly and upwards," he explained.
In September 2023, the leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger signed a charter establishing the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to create "a collective defense architecture." On January 28, the three nations announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in a joint communiqué.
Education & Cooperation
Another key topic, discussed during the meeting, was education, as it was chosen as the African Union's central theme of 2024.
In this regard, Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), emphasized the importance of establishing collaborations between industries and educational institutions to ensure that curricula are in sync with job markets.
"Africa cannot afford to play small in this 4th industrial revolution. We must be drivers or miss yet another opportunity. We can build technological capabilities that foster value addition in strategic sectors like agribusiness, manufacturing, green transitions, global health etc. We can generate economies of scale and agglomeration because we have the necessary workforce," he stated.
Moreover, the foreign ministers of the AU member-states talked on the importance of the multilateral collaboration. In particular, Faki underscored that the relevance of the AU inclusion in the G20 in September 2023.
"Our membership at the G20, for which we have made intense advocacy, imposes on us more rationality, method and constant vigilance in the turbulent sphere of international relations of the moment," he said.
Last September, at the opening day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi diclosed the African Union's admission as a full member of the group. African leaders hailed the step, saying it would give the continent "a voice."
Commenting on the topic, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie noted that the membership in the G20 will provide the AU "with a unique platform to contribute to global economic governance and decisions."
"We must therefore ensure that the voice of Africa is heard, that our participation is meaningful, and in the same vein enhance our working relationship with the BRICS to advance South-South cooperation. Ethiopia will certainly leverage its BRICS membership with other sisterly African countries to further advance, interest of our continent and strings and global governance," he added.
Ethiopia and Egypt officially became the full members of BRICS on January 1, 2024.