The African Union (AU), the League of Arab States (LAS), and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened a Consultative Meeting of the Tripartite Coordination Mechanism on Palestine at the African Union Headquarters on November 4, 2026, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation and coordinate collective efforts in support of the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.
The meeting reviewed a conceptual paper for the Tripartite Mechanism, focusing on enhancing institutional cooperation, aligning diplomatic positions, implementing decisions adopted by African, Arab, and Islamic summits, and mobilizing international support for a just, comprehensive, and lasting resolution of the question of Palestine. Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Cabinet of the Chairperson, reaffirmed Africa's longstanding and principled solidarity with the Palestinian people.
Ambassador Omar underscored that the AU's position is rooted in the decisions of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, including its Declaration on the Situation in Palestine and the Middle East adopted at the Thirty-Ninth Ordinary Session in February 2026. He reiterated the AU's call for an end to the Israeli occupation and the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, based on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Representatives of the League of Arab States and the OIC reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trilateral coordination and advancing the Palestinian people's inalienable rights. The OIC emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians, ensure unimpeded humanitarian assistance to Gaza, support the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), and strengthen international legal efforts to ensure accountability.
Ambassador Dr. Fayed Mustafa, Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the Palestine and Occupied Arab Territories Sector at the League of Arab States (LAS), highlighted the importance of strengthening cooperation among the African Union, the League of Arab States, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in support of the Palestinian cause. He also noted the forthcoming 50th anniversary of the Africa-Arab partnership in 2027.
The meeting highlighted the importance of translating political solidarity into coordinated diplomatic and legal action, including through joint engagement in international fora and efforts to mobilize support for recognition of the State of Palestine and its full membership in the United Nations. Participants also discussed a joint statement on developments relating to the Palestinian cause and a 2027 action plan to define shared priorities.
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Moussa Mohamed Omar thanked all delegates for their constructive engagement and valuable contributions to the meeting. He reaffirmed the African Union Commission's commitment to working closely with the League of Arab States and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to strengthen the Tripartite Mechanism and advance collective efforts in support of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights.
Key points
- The African Union, League of Arab States, and Organization of Islamic Cooperation convened a meeting to strengthen coordination in support of the Palestinian cause.
- The meeting reviewed a conceptual paper for the Tripartite Mechanism to enhance institutional cooperation and mobilize international support.
- The parties emphasized the urgent need to protect civilians, ensure humanitarian assistance to Gaza, and support UNRWA.
