Africa’s leaders gathered yesterday in Ethiopia for a two-day summit of the bloc, with conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) and South Sudan dominating the agenda.
Agriculture and food security are the official theme of the talks, but the 54-member African Union (AU) have been bogged down yet again trying to resolve conflict in member states. The talks are to
“The fact that these humanitarian tragedies are unfolding in the two countries at a time when we are talking about ‘African renaissance’ must be painful to all of us,” Ethiopian Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom said, speaking at a ministerial-level meeting on Monday.
“Unless we find [an] urgent solution, the situation in these two countries will have serious implications for peace and security in the region, and indeed the whole continent,” he added.
The unfolding humanitarian disaster in CAR, where a 5,300-strong AU force is deployed alongside 1,600 French soldiers, will be a key talking point.
CAR descended into chaos 10 months ago after rebels overthrew the government, sparking sectarian violence that has uprooted 1 million people out of a population of 4.6 million.
After the official summit closes tomorrow, African leaders and Western diplomats will hold a pledging conference to raise cash for the African Union-led MISCA mission.
“What we hope is strong support for MISCA, to enable it to implement its mandate more effectively,” AU peace and security council director El-Ghassim Wane said.
The warring parties in neighboring South Sudan signed a fragile ceasefire last week, but clashes between government and rebels continue, with thousands killed and more than 800,000 forced from their homes in bloodshed that has now lasted for six weeks.
Peace talks led by the regional East African bloc IGAD adjourned after last week’s ceasefire deal, with mediators calling for the AU to play a greater role in the peace process.
The controversial role on the continent of the International Criminal Court is also expected to be addressed.
Leaders are also expected to focus on “Agenda 2063,” a 50-year roadmap for the AU that has been a major preoccupation for the head of its executive council, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.
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