AU reform discussed at summit

African Union (AU) heads of state are to receive a number of reports, including those on reform of the organisation and free trade, during the AU Assembly’s 31st ordinary session summit which is currently underway in the Mauritanian capital Nouakchott.

The meeting is the culmination of the statutory meetings and was preceded by meetings of the executive council and the permanent representatives committee.

Heads of state and governments are to receive several reports including the status of the implementation of the AU institutional reforms to be presented by president Paul Kagame of Rwanda who is the current chair and the champion for the process.

President Mamadou Issoufou of Niger will report on the status of the African continental free trade area (AfCFTA) which has been signed by 44 countries and ratified by Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda and Niger with the expectation that several countries will sign on to the agreement as well as ratify it during the summit.

The chairperson of the AU commission Moussa Faki Mahamat will present reports on the issue of Western Sahara, as well as a report on the African common position post 2020.

Reports on peace and security on the continent will also be presented to gauge the progress made in reducing armed conflicts in line with AU master roadmap of practical steps towards “silencing the guns” which is one of the key projects of Africa’s agenda 2063. – ANA