President Bola Tinubu is set to embark on a journey to Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday to take part in the fifth mid-year coordination meeting (5thMYCM) of the African Union (AU), regional economic communities (RECs), regional mechanisms (RMs), and AU member states.
Following his election as the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on July 9, Tinubu will attend the mid-year meeting alongside heads of state and government, foreign ministers of AU member states, and other high-level dignitaries. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Sunday.
Dele Alake, the special adviser to the president on special duties, communications, and strategy, explained that as the ECOWAS chairman, Tinubu will present a comprehensive report on the progress of regional integration within ECOWAS. This report will highlight the initiatives undertaken by ECOWAS institutions, member states, the private sector, and other stakeholders to deepen integration through various means, including trade, free movement of people, investment promotion, infrastructure development, and ensuring peace, security, and stability.
The 5th MYCM aligns with the AU’s theme for 2023, focusing on the “Acceleration of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) implementation.” The meeting will gather the Bureau of the AU assembly, comprising heads of state and government from Comoros, Botswana, Burundi, Senegal, as well as leaders of the eight RECs.
These regional economic communities include ECOWAS, chaired by Nigeria, along with the East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern African Development Community (SADC), Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN SAD), Arab Maghreb Union (UMA), and Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). Additionally, the meeting will involve the African Union Commission and the RMs.
Accompanying President Tinubu on this significant engagement will be senior government officials. Following the conclusion of the meeting, Tinubu is expected to return to Nigeria.
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