G-20 | African Union becomes permanent member

The African Union became a full member of the G-20 here on Saturday, September 9, 2023. Welcoming the African Union’s Chairperson Azaly Assoumani to the table of the G-20 leaders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the inclusion of the African bloc will enhance the effectiveness of the G-20. After the EU, African Union is the second regional bloc to join the G20.

“Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G-20. This will strengthen the G-20 and also strengthen the the voice of the Global South,” said Prime Minister Modi in his inaugural remarks.  Chairperson of the AU, Azaly Assoumani was led to the designated chair of African Union by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi.

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In an interview to The Hindu, President Assoumani of Comoros, the current AU chair had expressed satisfaction over the way the AU’s advocacy for membership of G-20 has found support from various member states. Prime Minister Modi’s remarks also reflected the widespread support that the AU has received from all members of G-20. 

Mr. Assoumani had told The Hindu on September 8 that Africa has the potential to deal with the challenges that are currently troubling the continent and urged that the G-20 member countries should invest in the industrialisation of the continent and manufacture goods using the resources of Africa. “It is the duty of Africa to ensure job security in the continent so that our youth will remain on our continent and find the jobs that they require. But we also have to work hand in hand with Europe and Europe will have to help us train our people,” said President Assoumani to The Hindu. 

Speaking to The Hindu, Kanahiya Lal Ganju, Honorary Consul General of Comoros expressed deep satisfaction over the fast pace in which African Union was made a member of G-20. “People of Africa and especially people of Comoros are very happy today as under the chairmanship of their President, African Union became a member of G-20. This will go a long way in helping the development process in Africa and draw investment to the continent,” said Mr. Ganju.

AU’s inclusion in G-20 was welcomed by Abdulla Shahid, Foreign Minister of Maldives who said, “This will surely enhance the representation, and voice of developing countries, in the deliberations and decisions of the Group.”

India had hosted the India Africa Forum Summit in 2015 and has expanded its diplomatic footprint in the continent by opening new missions in the member countries of AU. Apart from supporting the inclusion of African Union as a permanent member of G-20, India has also invited Nigeria, Egypt, and Mauritius as part of the ‘Guest Countries’ at the G-20 summit.