The African Union will be granted membership in the Group of 20, which includes the world’s wealthiest and most powerful countries, sources disclosed.
The move would elevate the African Union, a continental entity of 55 member nations, to the same level as the European Union, the only regional bloc with full membership at the moment, from its current status of “invited international organization.”
The group will become a permanent member. The official declined to be identified because he was not authorized to speak on the matter, AU official said.
A G20 member and top government official from South Africa said the language for the AU’s admission to the G20 was still being worked out, but it may be finalized by Friday.
The South African official, who did not want to be identified before the decision was made public, did, however, state that the resolution could still be vetoed.
It was unclear whether the decision would be disclosed at the annual G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi this weekend.
Two Indian sources said that AU membership will be formalized only next year, when Brazil takes over the G20 leadership from India.
Indian sources disclosed, on the condition of anonymity due to government regulations, that there were no complaints about the decision from any of the members.
In June, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote to G20 leaders, requesting that the AU be granted full, permanent membership in the group at the next meeting in New Delhi.
“Our presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20,” Modi wrote in a piece published in Indian and international publications on Thursday.
The G20 now consists of 19 countries as well as the European Union. Members account for around 85% of global GDP, more than 75% of global trade, and roughly two-thirds of the global population.
South Africa, which has backed AU entry, declined to comment immediately before the Delhi summit. “We would not comment now until the official announcement or after the summit,” said South African presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya.
Germany, Brazil, South Africa, and Canada have all shown support for African Union membership.
