African Union Summit highlights reparations and elections
The 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly of the Heads of State and Government opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, focusing on reparations and the election of senior AU Commission leadership.
The two-day meeting, which includes African leaders and heads of international and regional organizations, is centered on the AU’s 2025 theme: “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations.” The summit also addresses critical issues, such as regional peace and security, development, AU reform, and Africa’s increased international presence.
Opening the session, Mauritania’s President and AU Chair for 2024, Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, emphasized the urgency of addressing insecurity, climate change, and socio-economic challenges amid shifting global dynamics. He called for collective efforts to overcome these challenges.
In his final address as AU Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat reflected on Africa’s progress, pointing out economic distress, security issues, and the effects of global uncertainties. Faki also highlighted the AU’s increased global representation, noting its full-year G20 membership in 2023 and the involvement of several African countries in BRICS.
The theme of reparations underscores the need to address historical injustices such as colonialism, the trans-Atlantic slave trade, apartheid, and systemic discrimination. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that Africa still suffers from the compounded injustices of colonialism and its exclusion from global decision-making.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged African leaders to leverage technological advancements for the continent’s development and unity, calling for resilience and collaboration amid challenges and opportunities.
During the summit, Djiboutian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamoud Ali Youssouf was elected as the new AU Commission Chairperson, with Algerian Ambassador to Ethiopia Selma Haddadi chosen as the new Deputy Chairperson.
