African union news

Here are some recent news updates from the African Union (AU):

Recent Developments:

  1. AU Summit: The 34th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 6-7, 2023. The summit focused on the theme "Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa's Development" and adopted several key decisions, including the establishment of a new AU Peace Fund.
  2. Silencing the Guns Initiative: The AU launched the "Silencing the Guns" initiative in 2016, aimed at ending conflicts and promoting peace and stability across the continent. The initiative has made significant progress, with a decline in conflict-related deaths and an increase in peacekeeping efforts.
  3. AU-EU Partnership: The AU and the European Union (EU) signed a new partnership agreement in February 2023, aimed at strengthening cooperation on issues such as peace and security, migration, and economic development.
  4. African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): The AfCFTA, which aims to create a single market across Africa, has been ratified by 34 countries. The agreement is expected to boost intra-African trade and economic integration.
  5. Coronavirus Response: The AU has been at the forefront of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa, providing support to member states and coordinating regional efforts to combat the virus.

Recent Statements and Decisions:

  1. Statement on Ukraine-Russia Conflict: The AU has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
  2. Statement on Ethiopia's Tigray Region: The AU has expressed concern over the humanitarian situation in Ethiopia's Tigray region and called for an end to the conflict.
  3. Decision on Sudan: The AU has decided to lift sanctions on Sudan, following the country's transition to democracy.
  4. Decision on South Sudan: The AU has extended the mandate of the AU Peacekeeping Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) for another year.
  5. Decision on Libya: The AU has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Libya and urged all parties to respect a ceasefire agreement.

Upcoming Events:

  1. AU Summit: The 35th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit is scheduled to take place in June 2023 in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea.
  2. African Economic Conference: The 2023 African Economic Conference is scheduled to take place in December 2023 in Cairo, Egypt.
  3. African Green Revolution Forum: The 2023 African Green Revolution Forum is scheduled to take place in November 2023 in Accra, Ghana.

Recent Reports and Publications:

  1. AU Report on the State of the African Union: The AU has published its annual report on the state of the African Union, highlighting progress and challenges in areas such as peace and security, economic development, and human rights.
  2. AU Report on the African Continental Free Trade Area: The AU has published a report on the progress of the AfCFTA, highlighting the benefits and challenges of the agreement.
  3. AU Report on the COVID-19 Response: The AU has published a report on its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the challenges faced and the successes achieved.

I hope this information is helpful!