The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AU summit

  • Nigeria to host Special AU Summit July 15

    Nigeria to host Special AU Summit July 15

    Nigeria is to host a Special Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government, tagged Abuja+12 Special Summit in July, to evolve modules that will intensify the implementation of programmes of Action Committee of AIDS Watch Africa (AWA).

    President Goodluck Jonathan agreed to host the conference during the meeting of Heads of State and Government of Action Committee of AIDS Watch Africa held on Sunday at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was held as part of the side-line events of the AU summit and was chaired by the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Haile-Mariam Desalegn, who is also the AU chairperson.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the Heads of State renewed their commitment to intensify effort towards the realisation of the objectives of AWA.

    “We adopted and committed ourselves to the following; the outcome of our Action Committee meeting as summarised in decision on the Report of AWA Action Committee of Heads of State and Government meeting, which will be presented to the 21st session of the AU Assembly for endorsement and subsequent dissemination to stakeholders and partners for follow up action.

    “We request AU member states to develop a sustainable investment plan for health, particularly AIDS, TB and Malaria, with year-on-year increase in domestic funding.

    “AWA will play a key and leadership role in the forthcoming special Summit of the AU Heads of government (Abuja+12 Summit) in July in Abuja, Nigeria.

    “Intensify and facilitate advocacy and further develop partnership at all levels. In this regard, we call upon the partners to build on their commendable supports received so far, for Africa to win the fight against AIDS, TB and Malaria.

    “The Leaders earlier, during the meeting, pledged to intensify efforts towards ending Aids, TB and Malaria Review first year’s progress toward implementing the African Union Roadmap.”

     

  • 75 Heads of State for AU summit

    SEVENTY five Heads of States and Governments from AU member states are expected to attend the 21st African Union summit.

    The summit is scheduled to hold between from May 19 to May 27 in Addis Ababa.

    A statement by the Commission’s Directorate of Information and Communication said 450 journalists had been given accreditation to cover activities of the summit.

    The 21st summit coincided with the 50th anniversary of the defunct Organisation of African Unity (OAU) and the 10th anniversary of the African Union (AU).

    The OAU was established on May 25, 1963 in Addis Ababa on a signature of the OAU Charter by representatives of 32 governments including Nigeria, while 21 states joined gradually over the years.

    South Africa became the 53rd member on May 23, 1994 after the first multi-racial elections that ushered in Dr Nelson Mandela as the first democratically elected black African president of the rainbow nation.

    The South Sudan became the 54th state to join the AU after securing independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011.

  • Mali conflict dominates AU summit

    Mali conflict dominates AU summit

    African Union leaders are meeting to discuss the conflict in Mali, as members move to deploy troops to help the French-led operation there.

    African states have pledged 7,700 troops to support French and Malian forces in their campaign against Islamist militants in northern Mali.

    BBC says only a small part of the African force has so far been deployed.

    French-led troops have retaken several towns since France intervened two weeks ago, and on Saturday advanced on Gao.

    The French defence ministry said troops gained control of the city – northern Mali’s most populous – after securing the airport and a strategic bridge to the south.

    However, French and Malian officials later told the Associated Press news agency that only parts of Gao were under their control, and that the operation there was ongoing.

    French officials said troops from neighbouring Niger and Chad would move into Gao to help secure it.

    Gao’s mayor, who had been ousted when Islamists seized control of northern Mali last year, returned to the town on Saturday.

    The other major northern cities, Kidal and Timbuktu, remain in Islamist hands.

    French forces are now reported to be targeting Timbuktu and Lere, to the west.

     

  • Jonathan intervenes in South Sudan’s crisis

    Jonathan intervenes in South Sudan’s crisis

    President Goodluck Jonathan in Addis Ababa, on Saturday night, said the crisis in South Sudan would be solved through dialogue.

    He made this known to journalists shortly after the bilateral meetings with Presidents Salva Kiir of South Sudan and Omar Al –Bashir of Sudan.

    Jonathan said they met to discuss possible ways of achieving a comprehensive peace agreement.

    “We are here to solve the problem of South Sudan.

    “There will still be further discussion until we find a lasting solution to the problem in South Sudan, “ President Jonathan told journalists on Saturday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the two leaders had in separate times last week sent special envoys to Nigeria, seeking the intervention of President Jonathan in the crisis between the two countries.

    The President is in Addis Ababa to attend the 20th African Union Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads State and Governments which opens on Sunday.

    Jonathan would also participate in the Donors’ Conference on Mali holding at the new AU headquarters.