India's Inclusive Approach: Elevating the African Union in the G20 : Daily News Analysis

Date : 12/09/2023

Relevance: GS Paper 2 - International Relations - Impact of Multilateral Grouping and Agreement on India

Keywords: NAM, Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Bandung Conference, Global South, UNSC

Context-

The G20 Summit in 2023 marked a significant milestone in global diplomacy as it saw the African Union (AU) being invited as a full member of the G20. This move, orchestrated under India's presidency, not only showcased India's commitment to prioritizing developmental agendas but also underscored the importance of giving the Global South a stronger voice in international affairs.

What is the African Union (AU)?

The African Union (AU) stands as an intergovernmental organization comprising 55 member states located on the African continent. Its official launch took place on July 9, 2002, marking it as the successor to the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which was initially established in 1963.
The headquarters of the AU's secretariat, known as the African Union Commission, is situated in Addis Ababa. Collectively, these member states possess a substantial gross domestic product (GDP) of $3 trillion and are home to approximately 1.4 billion people.

Why was the AU Established?

The AU's precursor, the OAU, was founded with the aim of fostering unity among African nations and addressing common issues through collective action. However, its primary focus lay in supporting the liberation of colonized countries on the African continent. To achieve this goal, the OAU provided diplomatic backing and logistical assistance to liberation movements across Africa.
While the OAU played a pivotal role in helping numerous African nations gain independence from their European colonizers, it struggled to promote political and economic integration among its member countries. Consequently, reforms were initiated in the mid-1990s, ultimately leading to the establishment of the AU.

Objectives of the AU

The AU places a strong emphasis on advancing unity and solidarity among African countries and their populations. Its overarching objective is to expedite the process of political and socio-economic integration across the African continent.
Additionally, the AU addresses the multifaceted social, economic, and political challenges that African nations have been grappling with. Among its key objectives are the promotion of peace, stability, and security across the region, as well as the protection and promotion of human rights.

Achievements of the AU

The AU has made significant contributions through its peacekeeping missions, effectively countering terrorism across various regions of Africa, including the Sahel and northern Mozambique.
The organization's interventions have played a crucial role in preventing violence in countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, Comoros, Darfur, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Mali.
Furthermore, the AU's diplomatic efforts have led to the resolution of conflicts in Africa. A noteworthy example is the successful mediation of a peace agreement between the Ethiopian Government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the aftermath of nearly two years of conflict.
Another notable achievement of the AU is the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which became operational in 2021. This initiative aims to stimulate intra-African trade, spur economic growth, and enhance the continent's global competitiveness.

India's Guiding Vision

India's leadership during its G20 presidency aimed to insulate the group from the uncertainties of big-power rivalries and place the spotlight firmly on the priorities of the Global South.
The decision to include the AU as a full member, alongside the European Union (EU), was groundbreaking. This step was taken to address the underrepresentation of African countries, as only South Africa had been an original G20 member of the continent.

India's Engagement with the AU

In a departure from the norm, India engaged in a substantive and collaborative dialogue with the AU rather than dictating terms. This approach was driven by India's commitment to bringing the Global South to the forefront of the G20 agenda. It emphasized cooperation over imposition and was characterized by India's willingness to listen and work together with African nations.
The move is a reflection of the intensity of New Delhi’s engagement with Africa, which got a fillip when more than 40 Heads of State and Government came for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in October 2015.
Under the Africa Outreach initiative, India has had visits to all African countries at the Ministerial level. Modi himself has visited at least 10 countries in Africa in the last nine years.
While India’s structured outreach to Africa began in 2008, China has stolen the march, as it first held its outreach in 2000, when Jiang Zemin was President. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) process began when the first ministerial meeting was held in Beijing that year, and has come a long way since then as a show of evolving Chinese interests in the African continent.

The AU's Significance

With this move to include the African Union in the G20 grouping, India has pitched itself as a leader of developing and underdeveloped countries. This is also in sync with India’s aspiration for permanent membership of the UNSC, for which Delhi is keen to garner support from Africa which has 55 votes.
While the prospect of a permanent African seat in the UN Security Council remains distant, India's efforts have provided Africa with a much-needed voice at the global high table. This is in line with India's historical commitment to championing the Global South's interests, dating back to the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement.
The African continent has a population of over one billion with a combined GDP of 2.5 trillion dollars making it a huge potential market.
Africa is a resource-rich nation dominated by commodities like crude oil, gas, pulses and lentils, leather, gold, and other metals, all of which India lacks in sufficient quantities.

Namibia and Niger are among the top ten global producers of uranium.

South Africa is the world's largest producer of platinum and chromium.

India is seeking diversification of its oil supplies away from the Middle East and Africa can play an important role in India’s energy matrix.

Building Consensus in a Divided World

Including the AU in the G20 was a formidable challenge, given the deep divisions among nations on various pressing issues, including the Ukraine crisis, multilateral development bank reforms, and climate finance commitments.
This move marked a shift from the regional focus of previous initiatives, such as the Bandung Conference and the Non-Aligned Movement, to a truly global perspective.
India's leadership sought to bridge these divides and emphasize the importance of addressing the concerns of the Global South.

AU's Pursuit and India's Response

The AU formally approached India in 2022 to seek permanent membership in the G20. In February 2023, a resolution was passed to pursue this goal during the AU summit.
At the G20 Summit in Bali, India took a bold step by thoroughly endorsing the African aspiration. This gesture came during the 60th anniversary of the Organisation of African Unity, highlighting India's consistent support for African representation.

Challenges and Responses

While many G20 countries had individually expressed support for the AU, they were now called upon to translate words into action. Some nations, particularly in the East, had not engaged extensively with the AU, leading to slower and more bureaucratic responses. Nevertheless, the consensus was swiftly reached, and the AU was admitted as a G20 member at the outset of the New Delhi Summit.

Expanding African Participation

In addition to elevating the AU, India extended invitations to more African countries. Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, and Comoros were among the nine guest countries.
Nigeria's inclusion recognized its status as Africa's largest economy and a strong ally of India.
Egypt, the current AU-NEPAD chair, added balance to the African presence within the G20.
Mauritius, known for its strategic location and close ties with India, further enriched the African representation.

Impact on G20 and Global Diplomacy

This inclusive approach promises to reshape the G20 by placing developmental priorities at the forefront. It calls upon G7 and China to fulfill their commitments to the Global South.
India's presidency has set a precedent for embracing diversity and cooperation, embodied in the Swahili term "Harambee" - a spirit of developmental cooperation in action.

Conclusion

India's presidency of the G20 marked a historic moment by welcoming the African Union as a full member, reaffirming its commitment to promoting global inclusivity and developmental priorities. This move not only recognizes the importance of Africa's voice but also sets a new tone for international diplomacy, emphasizing cooperation over rivalry and development over power politics. It underscores India's role as a bridge between the Global South and the rest of the world, ushering in an era of meaningful collaboration.

Probable Questions for UPSC Mains Exams-

What were the key objectives and achievements of the African Union (AU), and how did its inclusion as a full member in the G20 impact its role in global diplomacy? (10 Marks,150 Words)
How did India's presidency of the G20 in 2023 reflect its commitment to prioritizing the Global South's interests, and what significance does the inclusion of the African Union hold in the context of India's aspirations for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)? (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Source- The Indian Express