ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – In a compelling address at the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), called for a resurgence of African nationalism and Pan-Africanism. His speech underscored the urgent need for unity and decisive action to confront the myriad challenges besieging the continent.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the call to rekindle the spirit of Pan-Africanism and unity was articulated through the invocation of an esteemed African educator and the legacy of the continent’s founding fathers. This message of solidarity and purpose resonated strongly with the African leaders in attendance, setting a tone of introspection and commitment for the summit’s duration.
The Chairperson detailed a litany of pressing concerns, including peace and security issues, political and institutional instability, the impacts of climate change, economic governance deficits, and the pervasive issues of poverty. Notably, Mahamat highlighted the adverse effects of terrorism, which not only saps resources from essential social services but also fuels divisive populist rhetoric. He also pointed to the alarming trend of unconstitutional government changes that contravene the foundational legal and political principles of the AU.
Election irregularities came under scrutiny in Mahamat’s speech, with the AU Chief lamenting that elections, instead of facilitating peaceful power transitions, often exacerbate crises due to widespread irregularities. The effectiveness of the African peace and security architecture (APSA) and the African governance architecture (AGA) was questioned, emphasizing the immediate need for actionable solutions to these pervasive challenges.
Despite these challenges, Mahamat acknowledged significant strides made in institutional reforms, integration efforts, the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area, and the operationalization of the Peace Fund. He called for enhanced commitment and contributions from member states to further these achievements. The Chairperson also stressed the importance of operationalizing new organs, especially in health, to ensure the effective implementation of decisions.
However, Mahamat did not shy away from addressing the shortcomings within the AU, including the limited powers of the Commission and its Chairperson, which stymie swift action on strategic issues. A concerning lack of political will was highlighted, with 93% of decisions made in the last three years remaining unimplemented.
In his concluding remarks, Mahamat urged for a revival of African solidarity and Pan-Africanism, reminiscent of the unity that characterized the continent’s historical struggles against colonialism and apartheid. He called for bold and courageous decisions to enhance the AU’s global credibility and positioning, underscoring the importance of fruitful international partnerships.