APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) The Ethiopian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Taye Atske Selassie on Wednesday formally requested the African Union to endorse Amharic as one of its official languages.
Amharic is Ethiopia’s national and widely spoken language.
The newly appointed Atske Selassie made the request during the opening of the 44th ordinary session of the executive council of the African Union (AU) that kicked off on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, capital.
Addressing the session, Atske Selassie said in alignment with the AU’s agenda 2063 goal, empowering indigenous African languages should be strengthened in order to contribute to the progress of the African continent.
He requested the 44th ordinary session of the executive council to include Amharic as one of the official working languages of the union.
“I wish to propose the inclusion of Amharic as one of the official languages of the African Union,” Atske Selassie said.
He said it is worth noting that the former Organisation of the African Union’s (OAU) charter was initially signed in four languages, including Amharic.
“Adopting Amharic, as one of the official languages of the union, would honor Africa’s linguistic diversity and boost our collective identity as Africans,” he added.
The foreign minister further emphasised the collective responsibility of the union to build a resilient educational system across the continent.
Moreover, he highlighted the need to significantly improve the AU’s working methods, strengthen the African Union Commission (AUC) and its organs through availing adequate resources.
This year’s AU summit is being held under the theme “Educate an African fit for the 21st Century: Building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa.”
The 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) is set to take place on February 17-18.
It is preceded by the 44th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council which runs from February 14th-15th.
MG/as/APA