ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Chairperson of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Sunday called on AU member countries to build Africa's common position as the world faces a declining multilateralism.

Faki made the remarks during the closing session of the 11th extraordinary summit of the AU, which was held from Nov. 17 to 18 at the headquarters of the AU in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

"The world is changing... we have to build Africa' s common position and speak with one voice," Faki said.

Faki also indicated that the "worrying decline of multilateralism" on the global stage has created the need to create a common African stance.

According to the chairperson, as the African continent presently encountered with influences due to the changing global phenomenon, the need to ensure the independence of AU in particular and the continent in general is vital.

Faki had also, during the 20th extraordinary session of the Executive Council's meeting on Wednesday, said that the worrying changes "dictate that we enhance the efficiency of our Union."

"At the international level, we are facing a worrying decline of multilateralism and the principles of solidarity that must underlie our common humanity, thus exposing the weakest to all kinds of pressures and blackmail," Faki told AU foreign ministers.

"The ferocious international competition impose on us the need to close our ranks more than ever before and to give ourselves the collective means to make our voice heard and ensure the consideration of our interests on the world arena," he added.

He said that AU's "ongoing institutional reform is, undoubtedly, one of the most ambitious initiatives for change ever taken by our Union."

According to Faki, the reform touches upon all aspects of AU's functioning and concerns all its organs. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)