STORY: AU Commission chief calls for political solution to Israel-Palestine conflict
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 14, 2024
DATELINE: Feb. 15, 2024
LENGTH: 00:03:42
LOCATION: Addis Ababa
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the headquarters of the African Union (AU)
2. various of the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English interpretation): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission
4. various of the headquarters of the African Union (AU)
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English interpretation): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission
6. various of the headquarters of the African Union (AU)
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (English interpretation): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission
8. various of taking photo

STORYLINE:

Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat on Wednesday called for a political solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

The chairperson of the pan-African bloc made the remarks while addressing the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU, which began Wednesday at the headquarters of the AU in the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English interpretation): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission
"We have, in the early hours of this war and the related unspeakable atrocities, called for a cessation of hostilities, the release of all hostages and prisoners, and a resolute commitment to a political solution, based on the principle of two states living in peace and in respect of international law, in full security of the Palestinian and Israeli peoples and of all the peoples of the region."

Noting that peace and security are only possible with justice and the recognition of the fundamental rights of all parties, Faki welcomed the decision of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and saluted "the firm commitment" of South Africa to this effect.

South Africa filed an application to the ICJ for proceedings against Israel on Dec. 29, 2023, and the ICJ ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent genocide acts in the Gaza Strip on Jan. 26, 2024.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English interpretation): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission
"The suffering of the Palestinian people, robbed of their fundamental rights to freedom and the establishment of a viable and sovereign state, is compounded, before our eyes, by a war of extermination, without a name, in history."

Meanwhile, the AU Commission chief called for the strengthening of the international multilateral system on the backdrop of global peace and security perils.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English interpretation): MOUSSA FAKI MAHAMAT, Chairperson of the AU Commission
"Such deadly and threatening conflicts for world peace added to the persistence of the devastating effects of COVID-19 and the unbearable injustice of the current international system, darkening the international economic and security climate."

While noting that the current global uncertainties are jeopardizing Africa's socio-economic development, Faki called for efforts to promote Africa's togetherness to withstand the adverse impacts of global uncertainties.

"The repercussions of this global geopolitical fact reach our continent, which, unfortunately, is also facing serious situations of armed conflict, whether in Sudan, Somalia, the Great Lakes Region, the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, and the Sahel," he said.

The AU Executive Council meeting, which comprises foreign affairs ministers from AU members and runs from Wednesday to Thursday, is being held under the AU's theme for the year 2024: "Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Addis Ababa.
(XHTV)