La Unión Africana celebra su 35ª cumbre en un contexto de inseguridad y crisis sanitaria

The African Union will close its 35th summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Sunday after two days of meetings and gatherings. The context of insecurity and health crisis in which the meeting is taking place has monopolised the debate, as well as Israel's status within the organisation. An issue that has generated controversy among members.

On Saturday, the head of the African Union Commission, Mohamed Moussa Faki, alluded to the need for a new approach that "questions the structure of peace and security in the Union, and its relationship with the new factors destabilising Africa".

Faki stressed that the deterioration of security on the continent was characterised by "the spread of terrorism and the undermining of constitutional order in a number of West African countries". In addition, the AU Commission head spoke of how the COVID-19 situation and terrorism had destabilised the continent.

Faki emphasised the rejection of foreign aid to solve these problems, and the continent's freedom to resolve its own disputes. He stressed that the continent's greatest challenge lay in the continent's financial independence to carry out its development.  

The 35th Summit ends this Sunday. A day in which leaders have put the focus on exploring possible solutions to exit the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing economic recovery, development, climate change and governance. In addition, the drafting of new legal mechanisms and issues related to peace and security were discussed.

The African Union summit took place after a series of coups d'état, as in Burkina Faso, or attempted uprisings, as in the case of Guinea Bissau. Each with its own particular causes and consequences. In recent months, the AU's Security and Peace Council has suspended four member countries from the organisation due to unconstitutional changes in their respective governments.

The organisation has also opted to postpone discussion of Israel's status as an observer member, the Israeli foreign ministry confirmed Sunday, according to The Jerusalem Post. The issue had divided members, but the decision will not be taken until the next General Assembly, and will be subject to the outcome of a report to be drafted by a committee set up to study the matter.

Faki's move last year provoked a swift response of rejection from countries such as Algeria and South Africa. On the other hand, the fact that Ethiopia is hosting the summit makes it difficult to address the war in the country. A conflict that has been going on for 15 months and has taken the lives of thousands of people and left a large part of Ethiopia on the brink of famine.

Morocco was chosen last Thursday to host the African Peace and Security Council for the next three years. According to Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, this election could be an opportunity to "enhance the effective role in peace and security issues on the continent".

Bourita also stressed that the choice of the Kingdom of Morocco was mainly due to its support for the stability of Africa and the countries of the continent. He stressed that "Morocco's role is well known, both inside and outside the African Union", adding that security in the country has always been a key issue of concern to him for several years.

The minister spoke about the problem of terrorism on the continent, noting that "almost a quarter of the world's terrorist attacks hit the African continent". He added that "of the ten countries most exposed to terrorism in the world, seven of them are in Africa".

Bourita used the press conference to talk about the pandemic situation in Africa, and lamented that vaccination in the continent did not exceed 10% of those vaccinated, which is home to almost a quarter of the world's population.

Morocco will host the African Council for the second time. This re-election is marked by the fifth anniversary of the North African country's return to the African Union.