Shettima Arrives Angola, Joins AU Leaders for Crucial Summit on Africa’s Security

Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Luanda, Angola, where he will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

Shettima arrived in the Angolan capital on Saturday ahead of the high-level summit, which is focused on strengthening Africa’s capacity to prevent and resolve conflicts across the continent.

The Vice President was received by senior Angolan government officials and members of the Nigerian delegation already in Luanda for the meeting.

Among the Nigerian officials who received him were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu; Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd.); Acting Chargé d’Affaires of the Nigerian Mission in Angola, Ambassador Maxy Ogbede; Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh; Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; and Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The summit, themed “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa,” is expected to bring African leaders together to examine existing continental mechanisms for preventing and resolving conflicts and develop practical responses to emerging security threats.

Discussions are expected to focus on strengthening early warning and early action systems, preventive diplomacy and coordination among the African Union, member states and Regional Economic Communities.

The summit will also examine ways to reinforce the AU Peace and Security Council and improve the effectiveness of the continent’s African Peace and Security Architecture and African Governance Architecture.

Another major issue on the agenda is sustainable African financing for peace and security, alongside stronger continental responses to terrorism and violent extremism.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of persistent conflicts, terrorism and political instability in parts of Africa, making the strengthening of regional and continental security mechanisms a major priority for the AU.

Ahead of the leaders’ meeting, the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council was held in Luanda on Saturday, with foreign ministers and senior government officials deliberating on issues expected to form part of the Heads of State and Government discussions.

Following his arrival, Shettima received a briefing from Foreign Affairs Minister Odumegwu-Ojukwu and officials of the Nigerian Mission in Angola on key issues expected to dominate the summit.

The Vice President’s participation underscores Nigeria’s continued engagement in continental efforts to address Africa’s peace and security challenges.