President Bola Tinubu who departed Abuja Saturday afternoon arrived Nairobi Kenya about five hours later to join other African leaders for the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union. He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila and Mr. Dele Alake, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy. President
President Bola Tinubu who departed Abuja Saturday afternoon arrived Nairobi Kenya about five hours later to join other African leaders for the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union. He was accompanied by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila and Mr. Dele Alake, his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication and Strategy.
President Tinubu is attending the meeting both as Nigerian leader as well as the new Chairman of ECOWAS, one of the eight Regional Economic Communities that constitute the African Union. He is expected to present a report on the status of regional integration in ECOWAS, highlighting actions carried out during the period under review by ECOWAS institutions, member-states, the private sector, and other stakeholders to deepen integration through trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, peace, security and stability.
The meeting with the theme ‘Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation,” brings together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, as well as the leaders of the eight Regional Economic Communities.
Nigeria Fulfills 2023 Financial Obligations to AU
Meanwhile Nigeria has fulfilled its financial obligations to the African Union (AU) by making full payment of its assessed contributions for the year 2023. This confirmation was made on Saturday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Adamu Ibrahim Lamuwa, on the sidelines of the 43rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ambassador Lamuwa explained that the payment demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to its responsibilities as an AU member-state.
Meeting Begins on Sunday July 16
President Tinubu will join Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers of the AU Member-States, and high-level dignitaries at the mid-year meeting which starts on Sunday, July 16.
According to Mr. Dele Alake, the President will present a report on the status of regional integration in ECOWAS, highlighting actions carried out during the period under review by ECOWAS institutions, member-states, the private sector, and other stakeholders to deepen integration through trade, free movement of persons, investment promotion, infrastructure development, peace, security and stability.
The 5th MYCM, which is convening under the AU’s theme for 2023 christened “Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation,” will bring together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, as well as the leaders of the eight RECs.
These regional economic communities include ECOWAS chaired by Nigeria, the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN SAD), the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
The meeting will also involve the African Union Commission and the RMs.
President Tinubu, is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting, which date has not been specified.
