Osinbajo in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for AU Summit
NAN-F-27
Peace
By Ekemini Ladejobi
Addis Ababa, July 4, 2017 (NAN) The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Mahamat, on Monday reiterated that peace and security on the continent continues to be the great concern of the pan-African bloc.
Mahama made this known at the opening of the 29th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa.
Under the theme “Harnessing the Demographic Dividend through Investment in the Youth,” African heads of state will deliberate on key issues including AU financing and institutional reform as well as peace and security on the continent in their two-day gathering.
“The situation in South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, the Central African Republic, the tense relation between Djibouti and Eritrea, the difficulties in implementing the peace agreement in Mali where the jihadist terrorism is very active and political situation in some African countries such as the DRC, Burundi, Guinea Bissau are the major concerns,” he said.
He said that the AU remains determined to strengthen efforts to deal with peace and security issues by encouraging political solutions in regions where violence still exists.
Mahama called for collaborative efforts, including from civil societies and the private sectors among others, to respond to the humanitarian needs caused by drought, famine, and terrorism in some parts of the continent.
Speaking on the occasion, Amina Mohammed, the UN Deputy Secretary-General, said: “the focus on youth this year is a powerful reminder of the core principles of the Agenda 2063 and the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goal.
“Today, you are here taking decisions that will ensure that Africa benefits from the full potential of all its people, including young women and men,” she said, adding: “investing in our youth today reaps the dividend of a peaceful and prosperous Africa tomorrow.”
NAN reports that Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo, is among heads of state attending the ordinary session.
Osinbajo is to speak on peace, security in Africa.(NAN)
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edited Sadiya Hamza