Eko Hot Blog reports that the Group of 20 (G20) has granted African Union a permanent membership at the ongoing summit in New Delhi, India.
The AU which comprises 55 countries on the continent now has a permanent membership on the G20 just like the European Union (EU)
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The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the inclusion of AU as a permanent member of the group while delivering the speech at the summit.
It is noted that the group since inception has not had any Country from Africa, except South Africa as a member. Although, countries from the continent have been attending the summits, they only maintained the status of ‘invited nations’.
Recall that there was a report as regards the proposal of the African bloc earlier this week vis-a-vis the membership of the AU.
The officials, whose identities were not disclosed, told reporters the possibilities of the African Union inclusion as members of the group, which would be concluded today, Saturday.
Modi, in his speech, said the AU has been permanent member status in the G20 top world economies, while also stating his motive of putting the Global South on the spotlight for hosting the 2023 summit.
The African Union will be the second region to have permanent membership of the G20 after European Union (EU).
Modi thumped his gavel three times before announcing the move to applause the motion in the room.
He exchanged handshake with the current AU chair, President of Comoros (East Africa) President Azali Assoumani, and embraced him warmly and invited him to sit at the table.
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“I invite the representative of the African Union to take his place as a permanent member of the G20,” Modi said.
Modi addressed the delegates from behind a nameplate that listed his country not as India but as “Bharat,” an ancient Sanskrit name championed by his Hindu nationalist supporters that his government has been pushing at the G20.
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