Latest news with #AUCommission
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
AU Commission Renews Morocco's Mohamed Belaiche Mandate in Sudan
Rabat – The African Union has renewed the mandate of Morocco's Mohamed Belaiche as a special representative of the AU Commission Chairperson and head of the Union's Liaison Office in Sudan. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssou, reappointed Belaiche, in recognition of Morocco's expertise and its commitment to promoting peace and stability across Africa. Belaiche's profile is full of expertise as he held several senior positions, including ambassador of Morocco to Sudan. With an in-depth knowledge of the situation on the ground, Belaiche holds strong experience in mediation processes and political transition management. The appointment comes in a complex regional context as Sudan has endured a civil war since April 2023 after a power struggle erupted between the country's army and a paramilitary group. The conflict followed the 2019 ousting of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989. The situation caused not only ethnic killings, but also famine and massive displacements. According to the UN, confirming the exact number of civilian deaths in clashes remains difficult. 'But reports indicate that at least 300 people, including children and pregnant women, were killed in attacks… between 10 and 13 July,' the UN said earlier this month. During Morocco's presidency of the AU Peace and Security Council in September 2019, the country led a resolute diplomatic effort that resulted in Sudan's reinstatement in the AU after a period of suspension. AU countries welcomed Morocco's effort, marking a significant milestone in the AU's support for Sudan's transitional process. During an EU Peace and Security Meeting last year, Morocco called for a lasting political solution to the ongoing crisis in Sudan, where the conflict led to the massive displacement of more than 9.4 million people. Morocco notably conveyed hope for an end to the military confrontations, advocating for dialogue and restoring trust. Tags: Crisis in SudanMoroccans in Sudan
Maroc
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
AU Hails Morocco's Contribution to Training Ectoral Observers in Africa
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, praised the Kingdom of Morocco's sustained efforts in strengthening African capacities in electoral observation and democratic governance. In his semi-annual report on elections in Africa, Ali Youssouf highlighted the growing impact of the electoral observers' training cycle organized in Rabat through a partnership between Morocco and the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the AU Commission. The report was adopted during the 1,288th meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC), which welcomed the support provided by African countries in building the capacities of AU electoral observers in the areas of elections and democracy. Notably, it acknowledged the organization of the 4th annual edition of the specialized training for short-term AU electoral observers, held from April 22 to 25, 2025, in Rabat. This 4th training cycle enabled the training of 120 new observers from 52 African countries, bringing the total number of beneficiaries since the launch of the program in June 2022 to over 300, including 175 women. This training cycle, the result of an effective partnership between Morocco and the AU Commission, is part of an ambitious dynamic to consolidate democratic governance in Africa. The report also highlights the importance of the seminar-dialogue on elections and democracy in Africa, held on the sidelines of the training at the Policy Center for the New South, affiliated with Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Rabat. Moreover, the report underscores the adoption of the Rabat Call to Action, issued following the seminar-dialogue and structured around five key pillars. These include establishing gender quotas within electoral bodies, allocating specific budgets to ensure the safety of women during observation missions, creating intervention units to combat gender-based violence, increasing the involvement of young human rights defenders, and systematically disaggregating electoral data by gender. MAP: 16 July 2025
Zawya
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Ghana: Africa's Reparations call now a unified demand- President Mahama
'Africa's call for reparative justice is no longer a whisper—it is a unified demand grounded in historical truth, moral clarity and our unwavering commitment to dignity. As we implement the 2025 Theme of the Year on Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through reparations, we reaffirm our shared resolve to correct historical wrongs and injustices through restitution, healing and holistic systemic transformation.' This powerful declaration was made by H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of Ghana and the African Union Champion for Reparations, as he delivered a progress report in Malabo on the AU's 2025 Theme, 'Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.' Addressing the 7th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union, President Mahama stated that notable progress has been achieved by the AU Commission and Member States in implementing the theme. He expressed particular satisfaction with the recent decision by the Executive Council to extend the focus on reparations for a decade, covering the period from 2026 to 2036. 'This undoubtedly affords us, as a Union, the opportunity to sustain the momentum for the realisation of this noble cause, as well as map out well-thought-out strategies to mobilise adequate resources to champion implementation of the theme domestically,' President Mahama stated. President Mahama issued a call for global partnership, saying, 'We call upon all nations, within and beyond Africa, to partner with us in shaping a more just and equitable world for the sons and daughters of the motherland.' The former Ghanaian President noted the deep connection between reparations and African identity and dignity. 'Restitution to the African, therefore, is restoration of our full human dignity,' he stated, adding that the movement aims 'to speak of history on African terms, of healing deep civilisational wounds and of restoring to African peoples our rightful agency in shaping our past, present and future.' He underscored the necessity of reparations for African progress and unity, arguing, 'We cannot speak of development without identity or speak of unity without acknowledging the erasure that has fractured our heritage.' President Mahama stressed the importance of a unified African narrative on the global stage and encouraged robust partnerships, particularly with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Looking ahead, he announced that Ghana and Togo will co-sponsor a high-level event in the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2025 'to further bolster efforts at achieving the justice and closure which has eluded us for centuries.' 'As we do more to correct historical wrongs, we are reasserting our full humanity. We are reaffirming our sovereignty. We are reigniting the flame of dignity that has always burned within the African soul,' assuring the Union of Ghana's continued support for this agenda towards 'The Africa We Want.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.
AFP
14-07-2025
- Politics
- AFP
The African Union has not announced plans to impeach Kenya's president
'Breaking News AU leaders plan to impeach President William Ruto amid frequent protests,' reads a post published on X on July 7, 2025. Image Screenshot of the false post, taken on July 9, 2025 The accompanying graphic bears the branding of local news outlet ' and features an image of several African leaders, including former AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, ex-Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders of member states, together with a smaller inset photo of Ruto shaking hands with opposition leader Raila Odinga. The graphic also includes a faint 'Mastardcesh' watermark, which is the name of the account that published it, indicating it was the source of the claim in question. The replies under the post suggest users believed the claim to be true. One user asked: 'Please do. How can we support?' 'This will be a very progressive movement for the African people at least this shows we have a working system for africans that are concerted with the ppl (sic),' wrote another. The claim was also published on Facebook here and here. However, the graphic in question is fake, and the AU has not announced plans to impeach Ruto. Fabricated graphic The digital card in question does not appear on the official social media pages for ' where such news reports are typically published. AFP Fact Check contacted the news outlet's social media manager Adongo Kyalo, who rejected the graphic. 'This is not from us,' he said, adding that users should 'check our social media pages on the quoted dates to confirm the authenticity of the graphics'. We also found no credible source of evidence on the AU announcing plans to impeach Ruto, following recent protests in Kenya. While the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, an organ of the AU, expressed concern over the recent events in Kenya, the continental body does not have the power to impeach the president of a member state (archived here and here). A sitting Kenyan president can only be impeached by parliament, as stipulated in Article 145 of the constitution (archived here). Saba Saba demos On July 7, 1990, Kenyans took to the streets to fight for multi-party democracy, in what became known as 'Saba Saba', which is Swahili for 'Seven Seven' (archived here). At the time, Kenya was under the autocratic rule of former president Daniel arap Moi and the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party, which outlawed opposition parties. The historic protests turned violent, resulting in multiple deaths and more than 1,000 arrests. Thirty-five years later, the 2025 commemoration of Saba Saba shares many similarities with the earlier movement, with nationwide protests leading to an economic shutdown and a violent police response that left at least 31 dead and saw over 500 arrested (archived here and here). The July 7 events took place just days after similarly violent demonstrations marked the anniversary of last year's finance bill protests, which culminated in a breach of parliament (archived here). Ruto has since warned against attempts to 'overthrow' the government through 'unconstitutional means' (archived here).
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
The African Union has not announced plans to impeach Kenya's president
'Breaking News AU leaders plan to impeach President William Ruto amid frequent protests,' reads a post published on X on July 7, 2025. The accompanying graphic bears the branding of local news outlet ' and features an image of several African leaders, including former AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, ex-Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta and other leaders of member states, together with a smaller inset photo of Ruto shaking hands with opposition leader Raila Odinga. The graphic also includes a faint 'Mastardcesh' watermark, which is the name of the account that published it, indicating it was the source of the claim in question. The replies under the post suggest users believed the claim to be true. One user asked: 'Please do. How can we support?' 'This will be a very progressive movement for the African people at least this shows we have a working system for africans that are concerted with the ppl (sic),' wrote another. The claim was also published on Facebook here and here. However, the graphic in question is fake, and the AU has not announced plans to impeach Ruto. The digital card in question does not appear on the official social media pages for ' where such news reports are typically published. AFP Fact Check contacted the news outlet's social media manager Adongo Kyalo, who rejected the graphic. 'This is not from us,' he said, adding that users should 'check our social media pages on the quoted dates to confirm the authenticity of the graphics'. We also found no credible source of evidence on the AU announcing plans to impeach Ruto, following recent protests in Kenya. While the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, an organ of the AU, expressed concern over the recent events in Kenya, the continental body does not have the power to impeach the president of a member state (archived here and here). A sitting Kenyan president can only be impeached by parliament, as stipulated in Article 145 of the constitution (archived here). On July 7, 1990, Kenyans took to the streets to fight for multi-party democracy, in what became known as 'Saba Saba', which is Swahili for 'Seven Seven' (archived here). At the time, Kenya was under the autocratic rule of former president Daniel arap Moi and the Kenya African National Union (KANU) party, which outlawed opposition parties. The historic protests turned violent, resulting in multiple deaths and more than 1,000 arrests. Thirty-five years later, the 2025 commemoration of Saba Saba shares many similarities with the earlier movement, with nationwide protests leading to an economic shutdown and a violent police response that left at least 31 dead and saw over 500 arrested (archived here and here). The July 7 events took place just days after similarly violent demonstrations marked the anniversary of last year's finance bill protests, which culminated in a breach of parliament (archived here). Ruto has since warned against attempts to 'overthrow' the government through 'unconstitutional means' (archived here).
