At the opening session of the 39th African Union (AU) Summit on Saturday (14 February) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, AU Chair and Djiboutian Foreign Minister Mahamoud Ali Youssouf called for an immediate end to Israel’s attack on Gaza.
He stated that the suffering of the Palestinian people “challenges the conscience of the world” and stressed that the humanitarian catastrophe in the Middle East must be brought to an end.
Youssouf also highlighted several ongoing conflicts across Africa.
He noted that instability has plunged populations in Sudan, the Sahel, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, and other regions into extreme uncertainty. He urged the international community to adopt effective strategies to restore peace and uphold regional stability across the continent.
The two-day summit brings together presidents and leaders from all 55 AU member states. This year’s theme is Water and Sanitation, while discussions also include climate change and Africa’s ability to respond to humanitarian crises amid declining foreign aid from international partners such as the United States.
Observers say the AU summit provides a crucial platform to align Africa’s continental priorities with its global partnerships—particularly at a moment when U.S. President Donald Trump’s discourse on a “new world order” and shifting geopolitical alliances is reshaping international relations.
Source: Arab News.