Africa-Press. At the close of its meeting in Addis Ababa on Sunday, the African summit called for the State of Palestine to be granted full membership in the United Nations, in line with the wishes of a majority of the international community. It also announced its rejection of any attempts to forcibly displace the الفلسطيني people to Egypt or Jordan.
Over two days in Addis Ababa, the 39th African Union summit discussed security and climate issues, as well as efforts to halt internal conflicts in several countries across the continent.
The summit’s agenda was led by water security, the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the debt burden weighing on the continent, alongside security unrest in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. The war in Sudan also featured prominently.
In its final statement, the summit strongly condemned external interventions in Sudan and called for a humanitarian truce leading to a comprehensive ceasefire and the launch of an inclusive Sudanese dialogue.
The statement also warned of the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza due to the blockade and the obstruction of aid deliveries, affirming full solidarity with the Palestinian people, their right to self-determination, and an end to the occupation.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in his opening remarks that Africa is facing global warming more than ever and needs mobilized support to confront it.
African Union Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said the challenges facing the continent are immense, particularly because of the ongoing wars across it.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stressed that the water issue is extremely important and represents a fundamental pillar of development.
On Thursday, the African Union—through a statement by its Peace and Security Council—urged member states not to engage with the Rapid Support Forces, to reject the establishment of parallel entities in Sudan, and to speed up the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Sudanese people.
Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have been fighting a war sparked by a dispute over integrating the latter into the military institution. UN reports say the conflict has left tens of thousands dead and around 13 million displaced people and refugees, causing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and famines.
