Panafrican News Agency

AU Summit: Egypt praised for steering AU to prosperity

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Egypt has been praised for its leadership of the African Union (AU) organs in 2019 at the opening of the 39th session of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC), comprising ambassadors from the organisation's member states.

The Egyptian ambassador to the AU, Osama Abdel Khalek, said at least eight meetings lasting more than 21 hours were held in preparation for Tuesday's 39th ordinary session of the PRC to prepare the 2020 agenda of the AU Heads of State and Government Assembly.

Kenyan Special Envoy, Tom Amolo, attending the PRC session, praised the Egyptian leadership of the AU in 2019, saying Nairobi was grateful for the exemplary leadership offered.

The AU approved Kenya's bid to run for the UN Security Council non-permanent seat in 2021 during the Egyptian leadership. The AU has also considered several aspects of security and stabilisation in Africa, with an additional step to approve the implementation of the AU Peace Fund.

During the Egyptian tenure, Russia managed to host African leaders at a Summit to discuss cooperation with the rest of Africa.

Under the Peace Fund, countries in Africa would no longer depend on foreign donors to run the peacekeeping missions authorised by the AU.

The Egyptian ambassador also praised the AU Commission legal affairs department for the assistance and support to its work in the drafting of legal texts and other legal documents during its leadership.

During the next few days, diplomats accredited to the AU are expected to discuss the agenda of the AU Summit.

The opening of ceremony of the 39th Ordinary Session of the PRC kick started the discussions on the draft reports expected to be adopted in 2020.

The ambassadors are also meeting to prepare the agenda for the 36th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council, scheduled for 6-7 February, 2020.

Strong on the agenda for discussion this year is the AU Institutional Reforms and the Operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), said Thomas Kwesi Quartey, the AU Commission Deputy Chairperson.

The PRC meeting marked the beginning of events leading to the 33rd AU Summit. This year, the Summit holds on the theme, "Silencing the Guns: Creating Conducive Conditions for Africa's Development.

-0- PANA AO/VAO 21Jan2020