The African Summit… Sudan’s Presence Despite Its Absence
Sudan Events – Agencies
The 38th Ordinary African Union Summit began on Saturday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, with the presence of heads of state and government members of the union, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The summit is not much different from its predecessors, as it serves as a platform for public relations, goodwill, cross-border and continental dialogue, and a bazaar of speeches and protocols. However, the tangible impact on the ground may require a significant shift and many years.
Absence or Exclusion? Six countries, including Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea, were absent from the summit due to the involvement of their military forces following political unrest and the ousting of some transitional, military, or civilian governments. Despite this, Sudan remained present through ongoing calls for the cessation of the war, reminders of the humanitarian disaster, and initiatives expressed through the Sudan Support Conference held on Friday.
The Host Nation’s Speech: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the heads of states and senior African Union leaders in his speech, noting that the African Union meeting takes place amid rapidly evolving global developments that present challenges for the continent, placing it at a crossroads. This necessitates collective action to heal wounds, end historical injustices, and harness African resources for development. He called for practical initiatives to promote peace, prosperity, and diversity, ensuring scientific, economic, and contemporary approaches that align with the rise of artificial intelligence.
Moussa Faki Speaks: Outgoing African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki, who completed two terms spanning eight years, thanked the African leaders and commission staff. He offered condolences for the late Chadian President Idriss Deby and highlighted the African Union’s efforts during his tenure, including the decline in security, the emergence of conflicts in various countries, the COVID-19 pandemic, debt, the Russian-Ukrainian war, and the rise in geopolitical polarization among African nations. Regarding the Gaza conflict, Faki condemned the continued deprivation of the Palestinian people of their basic rights to peace and life, calling it a humanitarian disgrace.
The Importance of Partnership: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres began his address by emphasizing the importance of the partnership between the UN and the African Union, stating that Africa is promised a hopeful future based on its human and material potential, especially its youth. He condemned the colonial exploitation of the continent’s resources and the dominance over its decisions. He also reiterated that there is no justification for Africa being denied two permanent seats in the UN Security Council.
Ending the Bloodshed: Guterres continued by emphasizing Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, describing the country as torn apart. He added, “As we approach the holy month of Ramadan, it is time to stop the bloodshed.”
Source: “Sudanese Echoes”
