The chairperson of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Gaza, characterizing them as a “war of extermination.”
Addressing the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council in Addis Ababa, Mahamat expressed deep concern about the escalating suffering of the Palestinian people, emphasizing the urgent need for Palestinian statehood.
In his call for international action, Mahamat decried the acceptance of blind violence in silence by major world powers.
Urging a halt to hostilities, the release of hostages and prisoners, and a commitment to a political solution based on the two-state principle, he emphasized the importance of respecting international law.
Mahamat commended the recent decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and praised South Africa’s dedication to addressing the conflict. In late 2023, South Africa filed a case accusing Israel of violating the 1948 Genocide Convention.
The ICJ, in its interim January ruling, ordered Israel to cease genocidal acts and ensure humanitarian assistance to Gaza civilians.
Highlighting armed conflicts across Africa, from Sudan to Somalia, Mahamat emphasized the need for collective action to address these challenges.
He expressed concern about military coups, pre- and post-electoral violence, and humanitarian crises arising from war and climate change, calling for urgent attention to these pressing issues.
