Addis Ababa: Angolan President Joao Lourenco on Saturday assumed the rotating African Union (AU) chairmanship at the opening of the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of the Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. Lourenco took over from the outgoing AU chair, Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, who had held the position since February last year during the 37th session of the AU assembly.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Lourenco, in his acceptance speech, emphasized his determination to advance the pan-African bloc’s key goals by promoting continental unity and socio-economic progress. He highlighted the urgency of addressing conflicts in Africa, unconstitutional changes of government, terrorism, and challenges related to climate change, diseases, and public health threats. Lourenco urged for collective efforts to find solutions to these pressing issues.
Lourenco commended the Mauritanian president’s leadership, noting his significant contributions during his tenure. He expressed his commitment to building on past achievements during his AU chairmanship, which will continue through 2025. Ghazouani, on his part, outlined significant issues from his one-year chairmanship, including peace consolidation, security, and enhancing Africa and the AU’s global presence. He urged African leaders to pursue peaceful development, collaboration, and strengthening the 55-member continental bloc.
The AU summit, running from Saturday to Sunday, is themed “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations” for the year 2025.
