The Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) has commended the African Union (AU) for securing a permanent place in the Group of 20, also known as the G20, a development that could have major implications for Africa’s role in global geopolitics. Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo, Archbishop of Kinshasa and President of SECAM in a letter entitled “Message of Congratulations to African Union” addressed to His Excellency, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; felicitated with the AU on his membership of G20.
The President of SECAM stated, “We, the members of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), have been informed by the international media that the G20 has accepted the African Union as a new member, thereby granting it the status of permanent member of the said organization. “As a partner of the African Union. SECAM, which brings together the Catholic Bishops belonging to the Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, welcomes this good news and sends its sincere greetings to His Excellency, Mr. Azali Assoumani, current President of the African Union, as well as to the African Heads of State and the Chairman of the Commission, for Africa’s accession to the G20. “
We hope that the African Union will be able to play a major role in promoting the development of African countries within this Organisation, which brings together several countries from five continents. “We accompany you with our prayers, imploring the help of Almighty God so that the African Union can make Africa’s voice heard within the G20 and make its contribution to the establishment of economic justice and lasting peace in the world.” The permanent members of the G20 are now Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States, along with the EU and the AU.
The AU, which was previously an “invited international organization”, was granted full membership status at the G20’s summit in held in September at Delhi, India. The move gives the continent the same status as the European Union, which sits alongside 19 countries, including UK, Russia and the US. Prior to the AU joining the bloc, South Africa was the only African country to have a seat at the table.
