AU Chairperson Calls for Increased Efforts to Ensure Continental Stability Amid Escalating Gaza Conflict

The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Gaza and its potential to hinder regional development progress. This statement was made during a speech at the 44th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In addition to the Gaza crisis, Faki highlighted the increasing threats to the continent from military coups, electoral violence, and humanitarian crises caused by war. The two-day meeting, which began on Wednesday, brought together foreign ministers from AU member states to discuss efforts to ensure continental stability and quality education in Africa.

Call for Increased Efforts Towards Continental Stability

Addressing the executive council meeting, Faki emphasized the need to exert concerted efforts toward ensuring continental peace and security, socioeconomic development, sustainable financing of the AU, and strengthening the global multilateral system.

Reflecting on the first-decade implementation of the AU's 50-year continental development blueprint, Agenda 2063, Faki urged collective efforts to realize the major aspirations of the AU as it embarks on the second decade of its continental blueprint.

"The resurgence of military coups, pre- and post-electoral violence, humanitarian crises linked to war and the effects of climate change, are all very serious sources of concern for us. They seriously threaten to obliterate the signs of the emergence of Africa, of which we are proud," Faki told the African foreign ministers.

Theme of the Year: Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century

The AU theme of the year for 2024 is "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa." Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs Taye Atske Selassie stressed the urgent need to build a resilient education system in Africa to promote increased access to education and quality inclusive education.

Selassie also highlighted the importance of the AU's participation in the Group of 20 (G20) and Ethiopia's recent membership into the BRICS mechanism to advance Africa's position on the global stage.

Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Claver Gatete noted the crucial impetus to enhance investment in education, promote Africa's global competitiveness in education, create a competitive education system with emphasis on digital transformation and innovation, as well as boost science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics in Africa in line with the job market.

"Education is a basic human right and a key enabler for achieving our collective socioeconomic objectives. When we fail to provide accessible and inclusive education, we deny people this right," he said.