Africa
AU Summit: Shettima Joins African Leaders as Ndayishimiye Succeeds Lourenço
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday joined African leaders and global partners at the opening of the 39th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
At the summit, President Évariste Ndayishimiye of Burundi formally assumed office as Chairman of the African Union for 2026, succeeding Angola’s President João Lourenço.
No fewer than 49 heads of state and government attended the opening session, alongside leaders of global and regional institutions. Among them were the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The summit, themed “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” focused on advancing Africa’s long-term development blueprint.
In his welcome address, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed urged African leaders to remain united in driving socio-economic transformation across the continent. He highlighted Ethiopia’s investments in smart agriculture and climate-friendly energy projects, noting that the country is working toward a sustainable future for its population of over 130 million.
Guterres reaffirmed the United Nations’ commitment to Africa, describing the partnership between the UN and the African Union as one rooted in respect, dialogue, and solidarity. He praised African countries for their consistent support within the UN system and pledged continued backing for the continent’s pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable development.
In his valedictory remarks, Lourenço presented a scorecard of his tenure, citing progress in inclusive growth, infrastructure development, human capital investment, and resource mobilisation aligned with Agenda 2063.
He emphasized that peace and security had remained central to the AU’s agenda over the past year and called for stronger mechanisms to address conflicts and emerging threats across the continent.
Following remarks by leaders of regional blocs and development partners, the summit witnessed the formal handover of leadership to Ndayishimiye. The opening ceremony concluded with a family photograph, after which leaders proceeded into a closed-door session.
The Association of Foreign Relations Professionals of Nigeria (AFRPN) on Friday held a press briefing in Abuja, setting the stage for its 8th Annual Conference on Democratic Governance in Africa, scheduled for Thursday, February 5, at the Rotunda of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House.
The event, hosted at the AFRPN Secretariat, brought together senior serving and retired diplomats, Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials, and representatives of print, broadcast, electronic, and online media.
The briefing aimed to outline the objectives, theme, and significance of the upcoming conference to the public and key stakeholders.
AFRPN Chairman and President, Ambassador Dr. Gani Lawal, emphasized the Association’s role as a professional platform for fostering informed discourse on Nigeria’s foreign policy and Africa’s international relations.
“Through research, policy dialogue, mentorship, and intellectual engagement, AFRPN continues to shape critical discussions that influence national and continental policy,” he said.
Ambassador Lawal announced that the 2026 conference will be held under the theme: “The Challenge of Democratic Governance in Africa: Mega Trends and Leveraging Opportunities for Consolidation.”
He described the theme as timely, given recent democratic setbacks, governance challenges, and rising security concerns across Africa, particularly in the Sahel region.
The conference is designed to provide a platform for practitioners to analyze these trends and identify practical strategies for consolidating democracy on the continent.
The briefing also disclosed that African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, will serve as Guest Lecturer, while former Minister of Foreign Affairs and AFRPN Patron, Professor Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, will chair the conference.
The event is expected to attract high-level dignitaries, including the Vice President of Nigeria as Special Guest of Honour, the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs as hosts, alongside former ministers, ambassadors, senior government officials, heads of strategic institutions, and serving and retired AFRPN members.
AFRPN reiterated that effective foreign policy is closely tied to strong domestic governance, economic resilience, and informed strategic thinking.
The Association reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to democratic norms in Africa, opposition to unconstitutional changes of government, promotion of regional integration, and peaceful resolution of conflicts through dialogue.
The press briefing concluded with a call on the media to provide comprehensive coverage of the conference, ensuring informed public engagement on Africa’s democratic governance challenges.
The ECOWAS Community Court of Justice has been thrust into a peculiar legal battle, with one of its own Presidents named as a respondent. The Registered Trustees of the Centre for Community Law, a Nigerian non-governmental organisation, have filed a suit before the Court against key ECOWAS institutions, alleging severe violations of the bloc’s governing treaty and appointment procedures.
In Suit No. ECW/CCJ/APP/66/25, dated 29th December 2025, the CCL sued the ECOWAS Council of Ministers, the President of the ECOWAS Commission, and the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice. The case centres on the appointment and swearing-in of Dr. Habibu Yaya Bappah as Commissioner for Internal Services at the ECOWAS Commission.
The Applicants allege the Respondents acted unlawfully and in disregard of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, particularly by proceeding with the appointment while a related matter was pending before the same Court. Through its counsel, Olufemi Ubose, Esq., the Centre is asking the Court to determine several critical issues. These include whether it was lawful for the President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice to swear in Dr. Bappah at the instance of the Council of Ministers, and whether such action is permissible given that the same Court President is currently presiding over a connected case concerning the same office. The Applicant also questions whether the appointment complied with the Revised Treaty, especially as no fresh interview was conducted.
The core of the dispute lies in the ranking of candidates. The Centre contends that Dr. Bappah emerged third in the prior selection interview, behind Prof. Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, who came first, and Mrs. Chizoba Mojekwu, who came second. Citing the report of the ECOWAS Ad Hoc Ministerial Committee on the Selection and Evaluation of Statutory Appointees, the CCL argues that due process mandates the appointment of the next highest-ranked candidate, not the lowest-ranked among those shortlisted. “Due process requires that the next highest-ranked candidate be appointed, not the lowest-ranked among shortlisted candidates,” the suit argues, based on the Committee’s report.
The case is directly linked to an earlier suit, ECW/CCJ/APP/54/25, filed by Prof. Darma challenging his removal from office without a hearing. The Applicants expressed profound concern that the President of the ECOWAS Court, who is presiding over Prof. Darma’s matter, proceeded to swear in a successor. The CCL describes this action as “a breach of judicial integrity and a violation of the Court’s governing protocols.”
Among the reliefs sought, the Centre asks the Court to declare Dr. Bappah’s appointment and swearing-in unlawful, to hold that the President of the ECOWAS Court violated his oath of office, and to rule that the process breached ECOWAS rules on merit-based recruitment. The Applicants also seek an order for either the appointment of the second-ranked candidate, Mrs. Mojekwu, or the conduct of a fresh interview, alongside guarantees of non-repetition.
The Centre issued a stern warning about the broader implications. It stated that allowing the Respondents’ actions to stand “would further erode public confidence in ECOWAS institutions and undermine the rule of law within the Community.”
The suit was filed by Olufemi Ubose, Esq., on behalf of the Centre for Community Law, an organisation described as committed to promoting the rights of ECOWAS citizens and upholding the rule of law within the Community.
A Nigerian Air Force C-130 aircraft executed a safe precautionary landing in Burkina Faso on Monday following a technical issue observed after takeoff. The aircraft was on a ferry mission to Portugal when the incident occurred.
The Nigerian Air Force clarified the event in a press release on Tuesday. In a statement, Director of Public Relations and Information at Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said the crew followed standard procedures. “Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols,” he stated.
The NAF confirmed that its crew is safe and has been well received. “NAF crew is safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities,” Ejodame noted in the statement. He added that plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled.
The Nigerian Air Force expressed appreciation for the support received during the incident. Ejodame further assured the public of the force’s professional commitment. “The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate,” he said. The incident occurred on December 8, 2025.