The G-20 Grants African Union Permanent Membership: Boosting Africa’s Global Voice
Leaders of the Group of 20 nations have reportedly agreed to grant permanent membership status to the African Union (AU), according to sources familiar with the matter. The decision is expected to be announced during an upcoming summit in India. This move aims to strengthen Africa’s global voice by providing the AU, which currently holds invited international organization status, with the same recognition as the European Union (EU). It comes as emerging markets in the Global South, including African countries, play an increasingly prominent role in global affairs, particularly on crucial issues such as climate change and emerging-market debt.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the host of the G-20 summit, has made it a priority to secure full membership for the African Union. During the G-7 meeting held in Japan in May, Giorgia Meloni of Italy was also among those advocating for the AU’s inclusion in the G-20.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, during his visit to the African Union headquarters in Ethiopia in May, voiced his support for granting permanent G-20 membership to the AU. It is his belief that Africa’s growing importance in an increasingly multipolar world necessitates a greater international role for the continent.
The European Union is eager to claim some credit for this step taken by the G-20. EU leaders plan to hold a high-level meeting with African leaders on the sidelines of the summit. Notably absent from the summit are Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian leader Vladimir Putin. The Europe-Africa meeting, also known as a mini-summit, will cover various topics, including the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine on global food security. Other areas of discussion will focus on reforming the global financial architecture, improving conditions for private investments and infrastructure projects in Africa, as well as the situation in the Sahel region.
Overall, the decision to grant the African Union permanent membership status in the G-20 demonstrates a growing recognition of Africa’s importance on the global stage. With emerging markets gaining prominence and facing various global challenges, providing Africa with a stronger voice is essential. The move not only highlights the need to address pressing issues, such as climate change, but also recognizes Africa’s importance in an increasingly multipolar world order.
