By John Ikani
The African Union (AU) gathered in Ghana on Sunday to tackle key issues of continental integration and establish a common ground for future interactions with the G20 and the United Nations.
Mauritanian President Mohamed Cheikh Ghazouani, the current AU Chair, called for a faster pace of African integration.
He emphasized that swiftly advancing economic unity would bolster the continent and deliver on the hopes of its citizens.
Financing mechanisms for AU initiatives, particularly the organization’s own funding which leans heavily on contributions from outside Africa, were central points of discussion.
AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat stressed the need for member states to present a unified front during upcoming engagements with international partners.
He underscored the importance of speaking with a single voice at major global platforms, including the G20, where the African Union now holds a seat.
Meanwhile, ongoing instability in West Africa casts a shadow over the memberships of ECOWAS nations Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
These countries face the threat of losing their AU status due to military coups that toppled democratically elected leaders.
For years, the nations have also grappled with the threat of terrorist groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State.
