The Group of Twenty coalition has decided to provide permanent membership status to the African Union in a transition that would elevate the continental union comprising of 55 member states to an equivalent standing as the European Union, replacing its current categorization as an "invited international organization".
“Leaders of the G20 group of advanced economies have agreed to grant the African Union permanent membership of the organization, according to multiple media reports ahead of this week’s summit in New Delhi.
The bloc of 55 African countries, which is currently classified as an ‘invited international organization’ by the G20, would have the same status as the European Union within the group.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose nation currently holds the rotating G20 presidency, reportedly urged other leaders to accept the African Union into the group in a letter in June.
The African Union’s upcoming accession was confirmed by The Times of India newspaper, Bloomberg news agency, and Russia’s Vedomosti daily.
The Senegalese dignitary argued earlier this year that the G20 would undo a great
‘injustice’ by accepting the union into its ranks. African nations collectively hold eighth place in the world in terms of GDP, he told an economic event in France.
Bloomberg said the U.S. and its European allies intend to use the G20 leaders’ summit in India, which is scheduled for this weekend, to woo nations that have good relations with Moscow and Beijing. Russian President Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping will not be attending in person, opening a window of opportunity.
The Europeans, in particular, see their support for the African Union’s bid as giving them clout among the nations of the continent, the outlet explained”. -RT
While an invitation to the African Union that would grant it equal status with the European Union may initially sound like an appealing offer, in the aftermath of the anti-colonial developments in Africa and the expansion of the BRICS group of economies, any sort of diplomatic approach to keep the African governments in line with Western interests and deter further potential military coups in the upcoming future could, at this point, be more likely to help serve as the inspiration for more anti-corruption revolutions throughout the African continent.