ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 16 — Dhoihir Dhoulkamal, minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation of Comoros and chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council, has condemned the growing trend of unconstitutional changes of governments in Africa. “Although terrorism and violent extremism continue to threaten the very survival of some of our states, an epidemic of unconstitutional changes of governments has shaken up the continent in the last two years,” Dhoulkamal said Wednesday. Dhoulkamal made the remarks while addressing the opening session of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, which began Wednesday at the headquarters of the pan-African bloc in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa. He said the growing trend in unconstitutional changes of governments across the continent has jeopardized the positive progress made in the promotion of democracy in Africa. The AU has in recent years reaffirmed its “zero-tolerance” for unconstitutional changes of governments in Africa, as it called for a swift return to constitutional order following military coups in Gabon, Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, among others. Dhoulkamal said the expansion of unconstitutional changes of governments and insecurities is negatively affecting the continent’s quest for socio-economic integration. He also expressed concern over the expansion of violence and conflict in different parts of Africa, especially the conflict in Sudan, persistent insecurity in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the civil war in Libya. “These are challenges that are significantly slowing down our momentum toward development,” Dhoulkamal told African foreign ministers attending the AU Executive Council meeting. Security and political challenges facing Africa are compounding the adverse effects of climate change, eventually endangering the continent’s development trajectory, the Comorian foreign minister said. “Africa remains the region that is most vulnerable to climate change. Although Africa does not contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, it is the victim of its repercussions,” he said. The AU Executive Council meeting, a two-day event bringing together foreign ministers from AU member states, ends on Thursday. It precedes the 37th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government, which is slated to be held on Saturday and Sunday.
Xinhua
