Abbas asks African Union to monitor Palestinian elections

Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas has called on the African Union to send monitors for potential Palestinian elections.

While speaking at the 32nd meeting of the African Union, Abbas asked member states to support his idea of holding an international conference to broker the peace process, Al-Wattan Voice reported yesterday.

Abbas charged that the US is no longer a valid peace broker, given that it encourages Israel to act as a state above the law. He therefore called on other nations to broker the Palestinian peace in the US’ place and to monitor potential Palestinian elections.

Abbas reiterated the historic ties between African nations and Palestine, explaining that both have faced colonialism, racism, oppression and have fought for self-determination.

The PA president also spoke on other issues, stressing his rejection of the US’ interference in the internal affairs of any country, pointing to current events in Venezuela as an example. He added that he rejects all forms of terror and extremism in the name of religion, which is currently posing a problem for many African countries.

Abbas also warned of Israel’s attempts to change the identity of Jerusalem, including its calls for a number of countries to move their embassies to the holy city, noting this is a violation of the international law and UN Security Council resolutions.

READ: Abbas blasts US support for Israel’s lawlessness