African Union expresses ‘grave concern’ over situation in Venezuela

The Union has called for “inclusive political dialogue” among the citizens of Latin American countries

The African Union (AU) has expressed “grave concern” over reports of US airstrikes on Caracas and the abduction and detention of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, according to a communique issued on Saturday.

The AU reaffirmed its commitment “to the fundamental principles of international law, including respect for the sovereignty of States, their territorial integrity, and the right of peoples to self-determination, as enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.”

The statement followed media reports of explosions in the Venezuelan capital and military aircraft operating over the city. Shortly afterwards, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto announced that the US had attacked several civilian and military targets in Venezuela and the country’s authorities declared a state of emergency.

US President Donald Trump later said that American forces had conducted airstrikes on Caracas and confirmed that US troops had seized and President Maduro and his wife and forcibly flown them to the US.

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In its communique, the AU said it was closely monitoring developments in Venezuela, including reports concerning the president’s detention and attacks on government institutions. The union further underscored the need to engage in dialogue and peacefully resolve disputes, stating that Venezuela’s internal challenges should be addressed “through inclusive political dialogue among Venezuelans themselves.”

It went on to call on all parties “to exercise restraint, responsibility, and respect for international law, to prevent any escalation, and to preserve regional peace and stability.”

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) echoed these concerns on Sunday, reminding the international community of its obligation to respect sovereignty and territorial integrity under international law. The bloc said it has aligned itself with the AU’s position and urged restraint and inclusive dialogue in Venezuela.

Several African governments, including Ghana and South Africa, also expressed solidarity with Venezuelans. Ghana’s foreign ministry said it “strongly deplores such acts,” stating that “such colonial ambitions should have no place in the post-Second World War era.”

READ MORE: 80 people killed in US raid on Venezuela – NYT

South Africa’s foreign ministry described the reported strikes as “a manifest violation of the UN Charter,” warning that “military invasions against sovereign states yield only instability and deepening crisis,” while “unilateral force of this nature undermines the stability of the international order.”