AU Summit: Shettima departs Abuja for Angola + Photos

Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed Abuja for Luanda, Angola, to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

Shettima’s trip was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha.

According to Nkwocha, the high-level summit will focus on strategies for conflict resolution and the advancement of lasting peace and stability across the African continent.

Shettima will join African leaders and other key stakeholders converging on the Angolan capital to discuss practical solutions to regional security challenges and strengthen collective efforts towards conflict prevention and resolution.

Nigeria, which has continued to play a strategic role in peacebuilding and conflict resolution across Africa and beyond, is expected to contribute to deliberations on strengthening continental mechanisms for preventing conflicts, resolving disputes and sustaining peace.

The statement said Nigeria’s participation would reaffirm its commitment to peacebuilding and conflict resolution across the continent.

“Senator Shettima will join African leaders and other key stakeholders converging on the Angolan capital to discuss practical solutions to regional security challenges and strengthen collective efforts towards conflict prevention and resolution,” it stated.

The Vice President, who is accompanied by senior defence and security officials, will deliver Tinubu’s address at the summit.

“Senator Shettima will deliver President Tinubu’s address at the summit, outlining Nigeria’s position on the issues under consideration and reaffirming the country’s commitment to peace and stability across the continent,” the statement added.

The summit is also expected to consider ways of strengthening continental mechanisms for preventing conflicts, resolving disputes and sustaining peace amid security challenges across Africa.

Shettima is expected to return to Nigeria at the conclusion of his engagements in Angola.