ADDIS ABABA: Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Wednesday called for a political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The chairperson of the pan-African bloc made the remarks while addressing the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, which began Wednesday at the headquarters of the AU in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.
“We have, in the early hours of this war and the related unspeakable atrocities, called for a cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages and prisoners, and a resolute commitment to a political solution, based on the principle of two states living in peace and in respect of international law, in the full security of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and of all the peoples of the region,” Faki said.
Noting that peace and security are only possible with justice and the recognition of the fundamental rights of all parties, Faki welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and saluted “the firm commitment” of South Africa to this effect.
South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel on Dec. 29, 2023, and the ICJ ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 26, 2024.
“The suffering of the Palestinian people, robbed of their fundamental rights to freedom and the establishment of a viable and sovereign state, is compounded, before our eyes, by a war of extermination, without a name, in history,” Faki told African foreign ministers.
Meanwhile, the AU Commission chief called for the strengthening of the international multilateral system on the backdrop of global peace and security perils.
“Such deadly and threatening conflicts for world peace added to the persistence of the devastating effects of COVID-19 and the unbearable injustice of the current international system, darkening the dual international economic and security climate,” he said.
While noting that the current global uncertainties are jeopardizing Africa’s socio-economic development, Faki called for efforts to promote Africa’s togetherness to withstand the adverse impacts of global uncertainties.
“The repercussions of this global geopolitical fact reach our continent, which, unfortunately, is also facing serious situations of armed conflict, whether in Sudan, Somalia, the Great Lakes Region, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, and the Sahel,” he said.
The AU Executive Council meeting, which comprises foreign affairs ministers from AU members and runs from Feb. 14 to 15, is being held under the AU’s theme for the year 2024: “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.”
