Latest news with #38thOrdinarySummit


Ya Biladi
19-03-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
AU : Morocco moves to label Polisario as terrorist group
Morocco received a boost during the 38th Ordinary Summit of the African Union, recently held in Addis Ababa. While Rabat ceded the position of first vice-president of the African Commission to Algiers, it made significant progress toward getting the Polisario listed among the continent's terrorist organizations—or at least securing its condemnation for human rights violations. The current international context could further support this objective. Indeed, in its final declaration, consulted by Yabiladi, the summit «requested the Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security to compile a comprehensive list of leaders of armed and terrorist groups in Africa responsible for crimes against refugees and internally displaced persons, and to prosecute those who commit, encourage, finance, or facilitate such crimes». No participant expressed opposition or reservations on this matter. The implementation of this resolution could encourage refugees to testify about the abuses suffered in the prisons of armed groups. In the case of the Polisario, it is not only Sahrawis and Royal Armed Forces (FAR) soldiers who have endured violations, but also Mauritanians —whose cases have largely been overlooked by human rights organizations. AU Calls for Refugee Census The summit also urged member states to «strengthen the protection of refugee camps and internally displaced persons, and to take additional measures to shield them from exploitation by armed and terrorist groups». Additionally, it called on the AU Commission to develop systems for collecting, analyzing, and managing data on refugees, returnees, and internally displaced persons to improve decision-making and ensure effective humanitarian action. Algeria has long refused UN requests to conduct a census of the population in the Tindouf camps. The latest request was included in UN Security Council Resolution 2756 on Western Sahara, adopted on October 31, 2024. Algeria, however, has consistently pushed back, arguing in September 2022 at the UN General Assembly that «a census only makes sense if it is part of a fair and free referendum allowing the people of Western Sahara to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination». By securing the African Union's support for its longstanding demand for a census in Tindouf, Morocco has achieved progress within the continental organization, complementing its gains in UN bodies.


Saba Yemen
17-02-2025
- Politics
- Saba Yemen
African Summit: Displacing Palestinians violates int'l law
Addis Ababa - Saba: The 38th Ordinary Summit of the African Union concluded its work in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday, stressing that the displacement of Palestinians is a violation of international law. The final statement of the summit condemned the Zionist war and the barbaric aggression on Gaza, and rejected the Zionist entity's violations of international law and its targeting of civilians and infrastructure, adding that the two-state solution is the only way to end the conflict and achieve stability. The statement indicated that the displacement of Palestinians from their land is contrary to international law, and stated: The Zionist entity "is committing genocide against the Palestinians and must be tried internationally." The summit also called for an end to cooperation with the usurping entity until it ends its occupation and aggression against Palestine. The summit's activities were launched on Saturday with the participation of African leaders and representatives of international and regional organizations. Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (International)


Egypt Today
15-02-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Today
38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State, Government of AU kicks off in Addis Ababa
File- Member states of the African Union in session at the union's headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Tiksa Negeri/Reuters CAIRO – 15 February 2025: The 38th Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) kicked off in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa on Saturday. Meetings of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU will last for two days with the participation of a large number of African heads of state and government. The meeting will commence with the AU anthem followed by opening statements from various leaders. The Assembly will take place under the AU theme for 2025, 'Justice for African and People of African Descent Through Reparations'. In this context, it is expected that the Summit will review and assess what has been achieved in Africa's efforts towards the attainment of long overdue justice and reparations and decades of colonialism and apartheid, slavery and the trans-Atlantic slave trade. One of the highly anticipated responsibilities of the forthcoming Assembly will be to elect and appoint the AU Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson. The Assembly takes place against a backdrop of a myriad of challenges, including threats to democratic governance, peace and security, through unconstitutional changes of government and post-election violence. The Assembly will elect new Members of the AU Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to replace the current members, whose three-year terms are set to expire.