AU commission chair welcomes France’s recognition of Palestine as a state

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, has welcomed the announcement by French President Emmanuel Macron to recognise Palestine as a state.

Macron made the announcement on Thursday in a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian leader.

The French president said his country’s position would be made known at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.

Abbas had written to Macron in June about the need to urgently implement a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine.

In a statement on Saturday, the AU commission said the declaration aligns with the longstanding position of the African Union.

The union said Africa’s collective commitment to the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self-determination and statehood, was reaffirmed during the 38th ordinary session of the assembly of the union, held on February 15 to 16 2025 in Addis Ababa.

“The Chairperson views this development as a significant step toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, grounded in international law and relevant United Nations resolutions,” the statement reads.

“H.E. Mr. Youssouf reiterates the African Union’s unwavering support for the two-State solution, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security and encourages other nations to follow suit in supporting the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people.”