The “extermination” of the Palestinian people must end, the chairman of the African Union Commission Mahmoud Ali Youssouf says as he launches the organization’s 39th summit.
“In the Middle East, Palestine and the suffering of its people also challenge our consciences. The extermination of this people must stop,” says Youssouf, who was elected to head the institution a year ago.
Israel strenuously denies all accusations of war crimes, including genocide.
Youssouf also touches on the multiple conflicts raging in Africa.
“From Sudan to the Sahel, to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in Somalia and elsewhere, our people continue to pay the heavy price of instability,” Youssouf says.
The summit brings together heads of state from the 55 member states of the African Union over two days. This year’s theme is water sanitation.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
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