Leaders of various African countries arrive in Addis Ababa to attend AU summit
Addis Ababa, February 16, 2023 (FBC) – The leaders of various African countries have arrived in Addis Ababa to participate in the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The president of Sierra Leone Julius Maada Wonie and Vice President of Uganda Jessica Rose Epel Alupo arrived in Ethiopia earlier today. Up on arrival at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport this morning, the Sierra Leonean president and Ugandan vice president were received by Minister of Women and Social Affairs Ergogie Tesfaye and Foreign Affairs State Minister Ambassador Birtukan Ayano, and other government officials.
Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye and Comoros President Azali Assoumani have also arrived in Addis Ababa today to participate in the 36th AU Summit.
It is known that the 36th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly will be held in Addis Ababa under the theme, “Accelerating AfCFTA Implementation” from February 18-19, 2023. The Agenda 2063 flagship project, AfCFTA, refers to a continental geographic zone where goods and services move among member states of the AU with no restrictions.
The AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade by providing a comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement among the member states, covering trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights and competition policy.
Furthermore, the 36th Ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government will consider and make far-reaching decisions on various political and socio-economic areas to promote and advance the welfare and quality of life for the African citizenry.
The 42nd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council of African Union that attracted Foreign Ministers of the member states is underway as part of the summit yesterday.