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Amr Mohamed Kandil – Egypt Today
“Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry chaired the 36th session of the Executive Council of the African Union in Addis Ababa on Thursday. He reviewed the achievements made in Africa during Egypt’s presidency of the AU”, Ahmed Hafez the Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
“This council meeting at the level of the foreign ministers will be followed by the 33rd summit of the heads of states on Sunday and Monday. The Executive Council is tasked with drafting the decisions and declarations that will be considered by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government”, the AU said.
The minister stressed the need for concerted efforts of African countries to address the issues and challenges facing the continent.
Shoukry also highlighted issues which will be discussed during the council meeting, including the issue of refugees, returnees, the internally displaced and the “Silencing the Guns” commitment that aims to achieve peace.
“The foreign minister’s speech also referred to the ongoing efforts to achieve continental economic integration; especially the activating of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)”, Hafez added.
“Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi will attend the 33rd African Union Summit set to run from 9 until 10 February in Addis Ababa, during which Egypt will hand over the presidency of the AU to South Africa”, the Egyptian ambassador said.
The summit comes under the 2020 theme of ‘Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa’s Development’, a commitment that aims at achieving peace and security in Africa, in accordance with continent’s Agenda 2063.
