AU welcomes France’s planned recognition of Palestine as a step towards peace

The African Union has welcomed France’s intention to recognise the State of Palestine, terming it a critical move towards achieving peace, justice and statehood for Palestinians in line with international law and long-standing African solidarity.

In a statement on Saturday, African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf commended French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent declaration, which he said aligns fully with the African Union’s position on Palestine.

The AU reaffirmed this stance during its Thirty-Eighth Ordinary Session held from February 15 to February 16, 2025, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The AU said it views the planned recognition by France as “a significant step toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” anchored on international law and United Nations (UN) resolutions.

Mahmoud reiterated the AU’s full backing of a two-state solution where “Israel and Palestine live side by side in peace and security.”

Macron’s decision, shared in a public message on Thursday, confirmed that France would formally recognise a Palestinian state in September during a UN General Assembly session in New York. If implemented, this would make France the first G7 country to take the step.

“True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine,” Macron posted on X.

He said the recognition must go hand in hand with the demilitarisation of Hamas, rebuilding Gaza, and ensuring the new Palestinian state recognises Israel’s existence and contributes to regional security.

“The urgent need today is for the war in Gaza to end and for the civilian population to be rescued. Peace is possible. We need an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza,” he added.

Palestinian leaders have welcomed the move, but it has triggered sharp reactions from Israel and the United States (US).

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the decision “rewards terror,” referring to Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio termed Macron’s announcement “reckless” and said Washington “strongly rejects” the move.

Despite opposition, the AU urged other nations to follow France’s example and “support the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people”, including the right to self-determination and sovereign statehood.

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