AFRICAN
UNION AND G-20 - INTERNATIONAL
News: African Union to join G-20, as
Sherpas reach a deal
What's
in the news?
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The African Union (AU) is set to join the
G-20 as negotiators agreed on clearing its membership, according to sources privy
to the discussions at the Sherpa meeting at a resort on the outskirts of Delhi.
Key
takeaways:
●
This will mean the 55-member AU will join
the European Union as the only two regional bodies in the G-20.
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While it is still unclear whether the G-20
will be renamed as the “G-21” after the induction of the AU, Indian officials
said the announcement would help “leave a lasting imprint” of the work the
Indian Presidency has done in bringing in the Global South’s ambitions to the
economic grouping.
Advantages
for India over the entry of African union into G-20:
1.
Raising India's status:
●
Solidifies India’s status as a key player
in global governance, a nation championing inclusivity and diversity on the
international stage.
2. Improve relationship:
●
Backing the AU by India is a natural
progression of their partnership, making it more than just symbolic, a
strategic one taking into consideration a long history of cooperation between
the two from trade and education to healthcare and technology.
3. Geopolitical influence:
●
Endorsement by India carrying weight
within the G20, particularly given its burgeoning economy and geopolitical
influence.
4. Make G-20 inclusive platform:
●
Gaining a unique opportunity by India to
create a more diverse and representative platform, aligning perfectly with
India’s own global aspirations to foster a multipolar world.
5. Strengthen multipolar world:
●
Adding momentum to the push for a more
inclusive G20, a move reflecting a broader shift in the world order.
Significance
for Africa over its entry into G-20:
1.
Increased trade relations:
●
This entry will make Africa a more
potential market for other countries and will improve its trade value.
2. Disaster management:
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Africa is mainly affected by disasters
like floods, earthquakes etc.
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The G-20 forum can help it to overcome
these disasters effectively by providing scientific technologies.
3. Implementation of Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030:
●
It will help Africa to overcome heritable
issues like poverty, hunger and poor sanitation.
4. Mobilization of climate finance:
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The G-20 forum will help Africa to effectively
address climate change and its consequences.
5. Get equal voice:
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This entry will make Africa more powerful
in reforming international organizations such as the UN security council,
United Nations.
6. Forum to raise voice:
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It serves as a platform to propel its
shared interests and aspirations onto the international stage.
Challenges
Africa faced after entry:
1.
Sustainable internal cooperation:
●
The AU will have to coordinate its
positions and priorities with its member states and regional economic
communities to ensure coherence and consistency in its engagement with the G20.
2. Diverse agendas:
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G-20 countries have different ideologies
and agendas. Managing diverse agendas is one of the concerns of Africa.
3. Unstable governance system:
●
Political stability, good governance, and
the rule of law are essential prerequisites. Some African nations grapple with
corruption, conflict, and governance issues.
4. Geopolitical Pressures:
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Africa may face geopolitical pressures
from various G-20 members, which could impact its ability to pursue its own
interests independently.
WAY
FORWARD:
1.
Strengthening African unions capacity:
●
To actively engage in G20 processes and
participate in diverse tracks and work streams, the AU must enhance its institutional
capabilities and human resources.
2. Manage diverge agendas:
●
Given that different G20 members may harbour
distinct agendas and perspectives on various issues, the AU must adeptly manage
its expectations and interests in alignment with those of other G20 nations.
3. Improve regional Integration:
●
African nations should prioritize regional
economic integration through organizations like the African Union and regional
economic communities. This can help consolidate their negotiating power and
promote intra-African trade.
Go
back to basics:
African
Union:
●
The African Union is considered the
top-most grouping representing the voice of Africa.
●
It has been working towards ensuring the
progress and economic growth of the African nations.
Launched
in:
●
It was officially launched in 2002 as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity.
Headquarters:
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Members:
●
The African Union (AU) is a continental
body consisting of 55 member states.
Objectives:
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To rid the continent of the remaining
vestiges of colonization and apartheid.
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To promote unity and solidarity among
African States.
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To coordinate and intensify cooperation
for development.
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To safeguard the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Member States.
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To promote international cooperation within
the framework of the United Nations.
Vision:
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The AU is guided by its vision of “An
Integrated, Prosperous and Peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and
representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”
Organisational
Structure:
Assembly
of African Union:
●
The most important decisions of the AU are
made by the Assembly of the African Union, a semi-annual meeting of the heads
of state and government of its member states.
African
Union Commission:
●
The AU’s
secretariat, the African Union Commission, is based in Addis Ababa.
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The AU structure promotes participation of
African citizens and civil society through the Pan-African Parliament and the
Economic, Social & Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).
New
Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD):
●
It is an economic development program of
the African Union, started in 2001.
African
Economic Community (AEC):
●
The Treaty establishing the African
Economic Community (AEC), commonly known as the Abuja Treaty seeks to create the AEC through six stages culminating
in an African Common Market using the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as
building blocks.
●
The Abuja Treaty has been in operation
since 1994.