According to sources, the African Union will be granted membership by the Group of 20, which is made up of the richest and most mighty nations in the world.
The African Union, a continental organization with 55 members, would thereafter be upgraded from its existing position as a “invited international organization” to one with the same standing as the European Union, which is now the only regional bloc with a full membership.
According to a representative of the AU, the group will become a permanent member. The official declined to give his name since he was not permitted to comment on the matter.
A senior government official from the G20 member South Africa indicated that although the language for the AU’s admission to the group was still being debated, it might be finalized by Friday.
However, the South African official, who wished to remain unnamed until the decision was made public, stated that there was still a chance that the resolution may be vetoed.
Whether the choice would be made public at the yearly G20 leaders’ summit this weekend in New Delhi was not immediately known.
According to two Indian sources who spoke to Reuters, formal AU membership won’t likely happen until Brazil assumes the G20 leadership from India the following year.
According to one of the Indian sources who spoke on the record under the condition of anonymity in accordance with government regulations, none of the members had objected to the move.
In a letter to the G20 leaders in June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggested that during the forthcoming summit in the Indian capital, the AU be granted full, permanent membership in the organization.
Modi stated, “Our presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries, but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20,” in a piece that appeared in numerous Indian and foreign media on Thursday.
The European Union and 19 other nations make up the G20 at the moment. The members account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, more than 75% of global trade, and about 85% of the world’s GDP.
Prior to the Delhi summit, South Africa, which has backed AU entry, refrained to make an immediate remark. According to Vincent Magwenya, a spokeswoman for the South African president, “We wouldn’t comment now until the official announcement or post-summit.”
Other nations that advocate membership in the African Union include Germany, Brazil, South Africa, and Canada.
