Shettima arrives Angola for AU summit on Africa’s security challenges

… Summit targets stronger conflict prevention, counter-terrorism mechanisms

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Luanda, Angola, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), where African leaders will deliberate on strengthening mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts across the continent.

The extraordinary summit, themed, “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa”, will bring together Heads of State and Government to review existing continental security mechanisms and consider practical responses to emerging peace and security challenges.

Shettima, who arrived in the Angolan capital on Saturday, according to a statement issued by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, was received by senior officials of the host government and members of the Nigerian delegation already in Luanda for the high-level meeting.

Among those who received the Vice President were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd); Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.

Others included the Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Angola, Amb. Maxy Ogbede, and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, among other senior government officials.

The summit is expected to strengthen Africa’s approach to early warning and early action against conflicts as well as preventive diplomacy and coordination among the AU, its member states and Regional Economic Communities.

African leaders are also expected to deliberate on measures to reinforce the role of the AU Peace and Security Council as the continent grapples with conflicts, terrorism, violent extremism and other emerging security threats.

The meeting will further consider sustainable African financing for peace and security operations and measures to improve the effectiveness of the African Peace and Security Architecture and African Governance Architecture.

Ahead of the meeting of Heads of State and Government, the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council was held in Luanda on Saturday.

The preparatory meeting brought together foreign ministers and other senior officials from AU member states to lay the groundwork for deliberations by the African leaders.

Shortly after his arrival in Luanda, Shettima received a briefing from Odumegwu-Ojukwu and officials of the Nigerian Mission on key issues expected to dominate discussions at the extraordinary summit.

The Vice President is expected to present Nigeria’s position at the meeting on behalf of President Tinubu and participate in deliberations aimed at strengthening continental cooperation on peace and security.

Shettima had departed Abuja for Luanda earlier on Saturday, with the Presidency saying Nigeria would use the summit to reaffirm its commitment to peacebuilding, conflict prevention and the resolution of disputes across Africa.