African Union Commission calls for ‘Paradigm Shift’ at Italy-Africa Summit

ROME, ITALY: African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki has said the continent welcomes Italy’s approach for a mutually beneficial strengthening relations with the African continent, but said: “We cannot be satisfied with mere promises that can’t be kept.”

In his address during the summit, Faki stated said, “we are not beggars” as the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni, outlined a plan aimed at helping African countries to prosper in return for curbing illegal immigration.

The African Union chairman further stated that a “paradigm Shift” was required so as to usher in a “new model of partnership” and pave the way “towards a more just and coherent world”.

“Africa does not want to reach out. We are not beggars,” Faki said.

Leaders and representatives from 45 African nations, including the presidents of Tunisia, Senegal, Kenya, the Republic of the Congo, Zimbabwe and Somalia, were in the Italian capital to hear the details of Meloni’s proposal dubbed “Mattei plan”, a flagship policy inspired by Enrico Mattei, the founder of the oil company Eni who in the 1950s pushed for Italy to support African countries to develop their natural resources and improve their economies.

At the sidelines of the Summit, Federal Republic of Somalia president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud met the President of Comoros and the Chairman of the African Union, H.E Azali Assoumani on the sidelines of the Italy-Africa Summit.

The two discussed regional issues of mutual interest as well as bolstering collaborative efforts towards achieving a future of progress and prosperity for the African Continent based on upholding the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of all member states of the African Union.

Reporting by Agencies