A general view of flags of African Union member states inside the African Union Headquarters ahead of the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa. AFP
"In the Middle East, Palestine and the suffering of its people also challenge our consciences. The extermination of these people must stop," said Youssouf, who was elected to head the institution a year ago.
The Gaza Strip has been under a very strict Israeli siege since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7, 2023.
At least 71,667 Palestinians have been killed in the small coastal territory by Israel's war, according to Gaza's health ministry, whose figures the UN considers reliable.
He also touched on the multiple conflicts raging in Africa.
"From Sudan to the Sahel, to eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, in Somalia and elsewhere, our people continue to pay the heavy price of instability," Youssouf said.
The summit brings together heads of state from the 55 member states of the African Union over two days.
This year's theme is water and sanitation.
Short link: