African Union Summit flays Israel’s attacks on Gaza, calls for end

Leaders at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, strongly condemned Israel’s offensive in Gaza and collectively called for its immediate cessation.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chair of the African Union Commission, characterized Israel’s actions as the “most flagrant” violation of international humanitarian law, accusing the nation of “exterminating” Gaza’s inhabitants.

Addressing the summit alongside Faki, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh received applause as Faki expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine.

Azali Assoumani, the outgone chairperson of the African Union and president of the Comoros, commended South Africa for bringing a case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Assoumani strongly condemned what he described as “the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine under our nose.”

Expressing concern over the dire humanitarian situation, Assoumani highlighted that a quarter of Gaza’s residents are reportedly facing starvation due to the ongoing conflict, which began with Hamas’ assault into Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in casualties and abductions.

Israel has vehemently denied accusations of committing genocide in Gaza, asserting its commitment to sparing civilians while targeting Hamas militants.

This condemnation at the African Union summit follows a history of tensions, as demonstrated by the removal of an Israeli delegate from last year’s summit amid a dispute over the country’s observer status at the continental body.

Also of concern were conflicts and coup resurgences across the African continent were underscored during the summit.

Faki, in his opening remarks, cited tensions over Senegal’s postponed election and violence in eastern Congo, Sudan, the Sahel, and Libya.

He called for a revival of “the spirit of African solidarity and Pan-Africanism” to overcome the numerous challenges facing the continent, which is home to 1.3 billion people.