AU summit exposes deep rifts among African states

Heads of states and delegates pose for a group photo at the African Union Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5 February, 2022. REUTERS - TIKSA NEGERI

The African Union concluded its annual summit on Sunday, condemning a recent wave of military coups on the continent. An unprecedented number of member states have been suspended from the bloc amid fears of democratic "backpedalling".

The recent spate of coups d'état on the continent was among the main issues raised at the two-day gathering in Addis Ababa, although African leaders got bogged down in heated discussions over the AU's ties to Israel.