Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Luanda, Angola, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
Shettima’s arrival was contained in a statement on Saturday, August 29, by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Stanley Nkwocha.
The summit, themed “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa,” is expected to focus on strategies for addressing conflicts and emerging security challenges across the continent.
Shettima was received in Luanda by senior Angolan government officials and members of the Nigerian delegation already in the country for the high-level meeting.
Among the Nigerian officials at the arrival were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd); Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi.
Also present were the Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Angola, Maxy Ogbede, and Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
According to the statement, the summit will review existing African mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts while considering practical responses to peace and security threats.
The meeting is also expected to strengthen continental cooperation on early warning and early action, preventive diplomacy and coordination among the African Union, member states and Regional Economic Communities.
The statement said the summit would further reinforce the role of the AU Peace and Security Council and consider sustainable African financing for peace and security.
Other issues expected to dominate deliberations include terrorism and violent extremism, as well as measures to improve the effectiveness of the African Peace and Security Architecture and African Governance Architecture.
Ahead of the leaders’ meeting, the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council was held in Luanda on Saturday, bringing together foreign ministers and senior officials from member states.
The officials met to prepare the groundwork for deliberations by African Heads of State and Government.
Following his arrival, Shettima received a briefing from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Nigerian Mission on issues expected to feature prominently at the summit.
The Vice President had earlier departed Abuja to represent Tinubu at the extraordinary session, which is focused on strengthening Africa’s capacity to prevent conflicts and promote lasting peace and stability.
