The African Union (AU) has formally taken its seat as a new member of the G20 group of leading economies.
The announcement was made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the bloc's summit in New Delhi on Saturday.
The AU now has the same status as the European Union, which was the only regional bloc with full membership. The African Union’s previous designation was “invited international organization.”
“With everyone’s approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said in his opening address, with the African bloc’s head Azali Assoumani then taking a seat alongside world leaders.
Founded in 1999, the African Union is made up of 55 African countries and encompasses virtually the entire continent.
The member-states collectively make key political and economic decisions. One of the AU’s main objectives is to eliminate “the remaining vestiges of colonization and apartheid” as well as promoting unity and solidarity among its members.
South Africa was previously the only African country with membership in the G20.
The idea of the AU taking a permanent seat at the G20 was first advocated by Senegalese President Macky Sall, who told the UN General Assembly in September 2022 that the move would mean “that Africa can, at last, be represented where decisions are taken that affect 1.4 billion Africans.”
Latest Stories
-
Samson’s Take: Arrogance of Power, Shameful Policing
4 hours -
Burnley score late to draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford
6 hours -
Bayer Leverkusen extend unbeaten run to 46 games after draw with Stuttgart
6 hours -
Chelsea come from two goals down to draw against Aston Villa
7 hours -
Andre Ayew scores in Le Havre’s 3-3 draw with PSG
7 hours -
GPL 2023/24: Kotoko draw with Medeama; Samartex go 7 points clear of Nations FC
7 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for construction of new multipurpose Jakpa palace in Damongo
7 hours -
NSS management assists Papao fire victims
8 hours -
EXPLAINER: Will dumsor end soon?
8 hours -
IMANI Africa takes on EC, accuses it of lying and publishing half truths
9 hours -
Manasseh Azure calls for investigation and prosecution of those responsible for GRA/SML contract
9 hours -
Kwesi Atuahene: Ghana’s health capital depends on HealthTech – Africa Center for Digital Transformation
10 hours -
13 signs your wife is planning on leaving you and you have no idea
10 hours -
IMANI Africa: Ghana’s EC’s dangerous and pathological conduct
10 hours -
If I speak there will be fire – Salah on Klopp row
11 hours