Tinubu to attend 5th mid-year coordination meeting of AU in Nairobi, Kenya

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu is set to travel to Nairobi, Kenya on Saturday July 15, to participate in the Fifth Mid-Year Coordination Meeting of the African Union (AU), the Regional Economic Communities (RECs), the Regional Mechanisms (RMs), and the African Union Member States.

According to a statement issued by Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake, as the Chairperson of ECOWAS, the Nigerian leader will join Heads of State and Government, Foreign Ministers of the AU Member-States, and high-level dignitaries at the mid-year meeting which will take place on Sunday, July 16.

The President will deliver a comprehensive report on the progress of regional integration within ECOWAS, with a focus on the actions taken by ECOWAS institutions, member states, the private sector, and other relevant stakeholders during the specified period. The report will specifically highlight efforts made to enhance integration through various means, such as trade facilitation, promoting the free movement of individuals, encouraging investment, developing infrastructure, and fostering peace, security, and stability.

The 5th MYCM, which is convening under the AU’s theme for 2023 christened “Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation,” will bring together the Bureau of the AU Assembly, comprising the Heads of State and Government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, and Senegal, as well as the leaders of the eight RECs.

These regional economic communities include ECOWAS chaired by Nigeria, the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the Community of Sahel–Saharan States (CEN SAD), the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).

The meeting will also involve the African Union Commission and the RMs.

President Tinubu, who will be accompanied by senior government officials, is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the meeting.