In a sobering address at the African Union’s 39th summit in Addis Ababa, AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat painted a grim picture of continental security. The two-day gathering of African heads of state underscored the fragility of peace efforts, with the chairperson bluntly stating that quelling armed conflicts across Africa is no small feat.
Geopolitical storms rage worldwide, but Africa bears the brunt, Mahamat observed. Chronic disputes, both overt and hidden, plague the region, fueled by political weaknesses and institutional gaps. Non-constitutional power shifts are resurfacing, evoking dark chapters from the independence era.
Spotlighting hotspots like Sudan, eastern DRC, and Somalia, he lamented the human cost: lives shattered, economies crippled, futures uncertain. ‘International disorder has reverberated strongly here,’ he added, criticizing one-sided global policies that undermine collective progress.
To counter these threats, Mahamat advocated fortifying the AU framework. Africa, while aligned with the Global South, must carve its distinct path via robust integration programs. Pan-African bodies need intensified commitment to realize Agenda 2063’s vision of a resilient, self-reliant Africa brimming with prosperity.
Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed complemented this vision by focusing on demographics. Africa’s booming economies signal potential, but true wealth lies in its youthful population. ‘By 2035, we’ll outpace the world in workforce youth,’ he said. ‘Purposeful harnessing of this dividend, not mere numbers, will drive sustainable happiness.’
The summit serves as a pivotal moment for African unity, urging leaders to move beyond rhetoric toward actionable strategies that silence guns and ignite development.