The chairman of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, on Saturday urged an end to what he described as the “extermination” of the Palestinian people as he opened the organisation’s 39th summit.
Speaking in front of leaders from the 55 member states, Youssouf highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which has been under a strict Israeli siege since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. That attack left 1,221 Israelis dead, mostly civilians, while Gaza’s health ministry reports at least 71,667 Palestinian deaths resulting from Israel’s retaliatory campaign.
“In the Middle East, Palestine and the suffering of its people also challenge our consciences. The extermination of this people must stop,” Youssouf said, emphasizing the need for urgent international attention and action.
The AU chairman also addressed multiple ongoing conflicts in Africa, noting that citizens in countries such as Sudan, the Sahel region, the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia continue to bear the heavy human and economic cost of instability.
The 39th African Union Summit, held over two days, brings together heads of state and government to discuss pressing continental issues. This year’s theme focuses on water sanitation, highlighting the AU’s commitment to addressing critical infrastructure and public health challenges alongside peace and security concerns.
Youssouf, elected AU chairman a year ago, called on member states and the global community to act decisively in ending conflicts, protecting civilians, and supporting sustainable development across Africa and beyond.
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