35th Summit of AU wraps up in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, 7 February 2022 (TDI): The two-day 35th Summit of the African Union (AU) wrapped up with drafting up the African priorities for this year. It was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Theme of the 35th AU Summit 

The Summit was not held in 2021 because of the Covid-19 limitations. This year’s theme of the Summit was “Building Resilience in Nutrition on the African Continent: Accelerate the Human Capital, Social and Economic Development.”

The Assembly of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Governments concluded the 35th ordinary session on Sunday, delineating African priorities for 2022 and beyond.

The two-day Summit accentuated the need for persistent African solidarity to address the effect of COVID-19 on the continent along with the critical need to manage the emerging unconstitutional changes of governments plaguing the continent.

In addition, the necessity of unity in the face of the rampant scourge of terrorism across the continent was also underscored.

President of Senegal’s Address

The President of Senegal, Macky Sall highlighted the need to adopt concrete steps to tackle continental perils like climate change, instability, and the debilitating effects of the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic.

President Macky Sall took over AU chairmanship from the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi. The AU chairmanship is a one-year rotating term.

He urged the African countries to focus on building Africa along with ensuring continental integration. Moreover, according to the AU Chairman, there can not be development and integration unless there is peace, security, and stability.

Furthermore, the Senegalese President called for continental unity to achieve the significant goal of the continental 50-year development Agenda 2063.

Chairperson of AU Commission’s Address

The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat stressed that the 35th ordinary session was a “productive” conference, which came as the continent is undergoing “dire challenges.”

He gave a comprehensive synopsis of the state to the Union to African leaders, enunciating issues pertaining to governance, health, peace, and security.

Likewise, he illumined the measures adopted by the AU as well as its member states to manage issues of regional significance.

Secretary-General of the United Nations’ Address

Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) also addressed the summit through a video link on Saturday.

During his address, he stated that the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals along with the AU’s Agenda 2063 is the linchpin of the association between the two organizations.

He also lamented about the global financial system that has “abandoned the African countries” in their hour of need.

Aside from that, he assured the African leaders that the UN will continue to support Africa so as to boost its COVID-19 pandemic recovery.

Ethiopian Prime Minister’s Address

During the Summit, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed also addressed the African leaders. Ethiopia hosts the AU Headquarters.

Whilst addressing the conference, he pointed out that even though its been seven decades after the formation of the UN, unfortunately, Africa still remains a junior associate without any noteworthy role in the system of global governance.

In this regard, he presented the example of the UN Security Council. The Council lacks representation from Africa.

Abiy Ahmed called for reform of the UN to portray contemporary international realities with impartial and balanced representation. Additionally, he also called for the establishment of an African Union continental media house.

The purpose of the media house will be to fight disinformation, provide authoritative news and information, strengthen Africa’s voice across the world and promote the African collective agenda.