Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Leaders attending an African Union summit in Addis Ababa over the weekend strongly condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza and demanded an immediate cessation of hostilities.
Moussa Faki, the chair of the African Union Commission, condemned Israel’s offensive as a severe breach of international humanitarian law. He accused Israel of inflicting immense suffering on the people of Gaza, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the urgent need for international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis.
Faki’s remarks were echoed by Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh, who also spoke at the summit, further emphasizing the shared perspectives and concerns regarding the discussed issues. “We unequivocally denounce these unprecedented attacks and stand in solidarity with the Palestinian people,” stated Faki, drawing applause from the assembled delegates.
Azali Assoumani, the president of Comoros and the outgoing chairperson of the African Union, praised South Africa for initiating legal action against Israel in the International Court of Justice. This commendation underscores support within the AU for efforts to address alleged violations of international law and promote accountability for actions deemed detrimental to peace and stability in the region. He condemned what he described as “genocidal acts” by Israel in Palestine.
“The international community must not turn a blind eye to the atrocities being committed, which have caused chaos in Palestine and repercussions worldwide,” Assoumani emphasized.
Reports indicate that a quarter of Gaza’s population is facing starvation due to the conflict, which erupted following Hamas’ incursion into Israel in October. Israel vehemently denies allegations of genocide, asserting that it targets only Hamas militants and takes extensive measures to minimize civilian casualties.
During last year’s AU summit, an Israeli representative was expelled from the plenary hall amidst disputes over the country’s observer status within the organization. The summit also addressed concerns about conflicts and coup attempts across the African continent. Faki highlighted tensions surrounding Senegal’s postponed elections and ongoing violence in various regions, including eastern Congo, Sudan, the Sahel, and Libya. He emphasized the need for renewed African solidarity and Pan-Africanism to confront the diverse challenges confronting the continent’s 1.3 billion inhabitants.
