AU withstands 'exceptional situation' caused by Covid-19

Addis Ababa, Feb 5 Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, has said that "exceptional situation" caused by coronavirus pandemic has diverted the bloc's attention from the continent's priority issues.

Although the pandemic "has totally changed the working methods of the AU, it has not diverted the attention of the Union from the continent's priority issues" Mahamat said during the two-day 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council that ended on Thursday.

Mahamat also expressed hope that "the year 2021, despite the concerns related to new variants of Covid-19, will be prosperous and more fruitful in terms of achieving the developmental objectives of the continent and the world in general", Xinhua news agency reported.

Listing a set of achievements in regional integration such as the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area and the Single African Air Transport Market, the Chairperson also emphasized notable achievements in other areas such as infrastructure, democratic governance, peace and security, institutional reform, health, social affairs and science and innovation.

"Building the future of our Union means harnessing ourselves, in a permanent concerted effort, to meet all these challenges, gradually, methodically, in the continuity of our Founding Fathers' dream," he added.

Naledi Pandor, chairperson of the AU Executive Council, said in her remarks: "While we are not yet at a level that allows a focus on post-Covid-19 recovery, it will be logical to use our precious unity to devise solutions that allow Africa to grow together."

The virtual session of the AU Executive Council meeting under the theme of "Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want" gathered ministers of the 55-member pan-African bloc to consider the draft agenda and declarations of the assembly with appropriate recommendations for consideration by the AU heads of state and government, whose session is slated for Saturday and Sunday.

( With inputs from IANS )