AU Condemns Unconstitutional Changes of Governments in African Continent

Eswatini Daily News
By: Nomzamo Jiyane
07 February 2022

The African Union Summit has concluded with a unanimous condemnation of any unconstitutional changes of Governments on the African Continent.

The issue of peace and security as well as setting a new public health orders in Africa were some of the main agenda items. With so much to discuss and many problems to overcome, there was a lot to unpack in the two day summit.

Dominating a large part of the conversation was the resurgence of unconstitutional changes of government. So far, four countries are affected, being Guinea, Mali, Sudan and Burkina Faso. These countries were suspended from the activities of the African Union.

AU Commissioner Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye said, “This assembly has placed on record that they have zero tolerance for military tolerance. It is important that media should know that none of our leaders is in anyway justifying the trend that we are seeing. Rather they are all collectively wholesomely United in the same language of unequivocal condemnation of unconstitutional changes of the Government”.

The African Union has also raised concern on foreign military interference on the Continent. With limited amount of time at this summit, the leaders have decided to have special gathering in Equatorial Guinea in May, to discuss counterterrorism as well as the impact of unconstitutional changes of Government.

As expected, Covid 19 was also discussed extensively at the summit. The leaders adopted proposals made by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on how the Continent can cushion itself from any further health shocks. One idea he proposed was the establishment of an AU health work taskforce to evaluate the health needs of the Continent.

The Summit endorsed South Africa Idea for the need to establish an African pandemic response fund. They also accepted to boost Covid 19 vaccination of the Continent. So far only 11 percent of the Continent has received vaccines. The AU has now formed a committee of six countries to look into the issue.

Image: Internet