The Group of 20 (G20) have reportedly agreed to grant the 55-strong African Union (AU) full membership.
The group comprises the world’s wealthiest economies.
South African publication Business Day quotes unnamed government sources saying, “The language for the induction of AU into the bloc was still being discussed, but it could be firmed by Friday.”
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India pushes for AU to join G20
This comes after Reuters reported in June that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to G20 leaders proposing the African Union be given full, permanent membership of the diplomatic group at a summit in India.
For this summit, Modi also invited nine non-member states, including Bangladesh, Singapore, Spain and Nigeria, besides international organisations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The G20 now comprises 19 countries and the EU, representing about 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of international trade and about two-thirds of the world’s population.
What it would mean for Africa
South African political analyst Sandile Swana said if the African Union were accepted on equal terms, this would be a step in the right direction.
“Kenyan President William Ruto advocated for this. Instead of several African heads of state travelling, one representative from the African Union to discuss the agenda should be good enough,” explained Swana.
Swana says this step also acknowledges the benefits of a multipolar world.
“BRICS is going to be admitting several African countries and creating new systems of finance, development and sharing of technologies.”
“It makes G20 leaders and other forums aware that their acceptance of Africa is not out of generosity; there are other options for this continent,” he concluded.
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