African Leaders Unite to Tackle Deadly Conflicts, Economic Challenges, and Food Crises at the 36th Ordinary Session of The African Union

ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 18 (African Boulevard) – African Leaders Gather to Tackle Deadly Conflicts and Economic Challenges

A gathering of more than 30 African leaders occurred on Saturday to tackle some of the most pressing issues affecting the continent today. These issues include violent conflicts, economic challenges, and the worst drought in four decades, among others. With the majority of the meetings taking place behind closed doors, the world is watching closely to see if the bloc can deliver on their commitments.

Urgent Call to Action for Peace in the Horn and the DRC

The Horn of Africa is currently experiencing an unprecedented drought, and the Sahel region and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo are witnessing deadly violence. UN head Antonio Guterres urged African leaders to take “action for peace” and emphasized that the continent of 1.4 billion people is facing “enormous tests… on virtually every front.” With the mechanisms for peace faltering, the world is anxiously awaiting a decisive response.

African Union Summit Seeks to Revive Failing Free Trade Agreement

The African Union summit, which lasts for two days, aims to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which was launched in 2020. The deal, which aims to increase trade among African nations by eliminating nearly all tariffs, is the world’s largest in terms of population, encompassing 54 of Africa’s 55 nations. However, implementation has fallen far short of that target, encountering obstacles such as disagreements over tariff reductions and border closures caused by the pandemic.

The Need for African Leaders to Address the Continent’s High Debt Burden

The African leaders must also grapple with the continent’s high debt burden, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. With the worst drought in four decades and the knock-on effects of the war in Ukraine, essential goods have become more expensive, causing severe food crises. Comoros President Azali Assoumani, the leader of the small Indian Ocean archipelago of almost 900,000 people, has taken over the one-year rotating AU chairmanship from Senegal’s Macky Sall and called for a “total cancellation” of African debt, but did not provide any details on how this would be accomplished.

Urgent Need for the AU to Develop New Strategies to Counter the Erosion of Democracy

The African Union Commission’s head, Moussa Faki Mahamat, stated that the bloc needed to develop new strategies to counter the erosion of democracy on the continent. He remarked that “sanctions imposed on member states following unconstitutional changes of government… do not seem to produce the expected results.” Faki added that it seemed necessary to reconsider the system of resistance to unconstitutional changes to make it more effective.

Time to Act – African Leaders Must Work Together to Overcome Critical Challenges

As the African Union summit continues, it’s essential to note that African leaders must work together to address the significant challenges that the continent faces. With conflicts, economic challenges, and food crises affecting millions of people, there’s no time to waste. The world is watching, and it’s time to act. The summit presents a unique opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of the people of Africa. It’s time to come together and take decisive action to bring about lasting change.