Shettima departs Abuja for AU peace, security summit in Angola

• To represent Tinubu, deliver Nigeria’s position on continental conflicts

• African leaders seek stronger mechanisms for conflict prevention, resolution

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for 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).

The high-level summit will bring together African leaders and other key stakeholders to deliberate on strategies to resolve conflicts and advance lasting peace and stability across the continent.

In a statement on Saturday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, said Shettima would deliver President Tinubu’s address at the summit.

According to the statement, the Vice President will articulate Nigeria’s position on the issues under consideration and reaffirm the country’s commitment to promoting peace and stability across Africa.

The extraordinary session is expected to focus on practical responses to regional security challenges as well as measures to strengthen collective continental efforts towards conflict prevention and resolution.

Nigeria, which has historically played a prominent role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution across Africa, is expected to contribute to discussions on strengthening existing continental mechanisms for preventing conflicts, resolving disputes and sustaining peace.

The summit comes against the backdrop of persistent security challenges in parts of the continent, including armed conflicts, terrorism, political instability and other threats that have continued to test regional and continental peace mechanisms.

Shettima will join other African leaders and stakeholders to examine ways to improve cooperation and develop practical solutions to the security challenges confronting different regions of the continent.

The Vice President is accompanied on the trip by senior Nigerian defence and security officials, underscoring the extraordinary AU meeting’s focus on security and peacebuilding.

Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria after concluding his engagements in Angola.