Zambia Participates in Key African Union Executive Council Session in Addis Ababa
Zambia is actively participating in the 24th Extraordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Executive Council, which officially opened on 15th in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The high-level meeting has convened AU Member States under the central theme of accelerating Africa’s self-reliance by mobilizing and utilizing domestic resources to drive development.
Representing Zambia at the session is Mr. Nawa Siboongo, Chargé d’Affaires at the Zambia Embassy in Ethiopia, who is standing in for Hon. Mulambo Haimbe, S.C., MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The Council’s key agenda includes the election and appointment of representatives to three significant AU bodies: one Member of the Peace and Security Council, one Member of the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL), and one Member of the African Space Council (AfSC).
Additionally, deliberations will be held on the draft report for the election of two AU Commissioners—namely for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Mining (ETTIM), and for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI).
In his opening remarks, African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf underscored the urgent need for African nations to internally fund their key sectors, particularly in light of the recent withdrawal of foreign aid by the United States.
Mr. Youssouf warned that while increased taxation could harm Africa’s economic growth if mismanaged, the current situation also presents a turning point.
He called on Member States to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to expand intra-African trade, strengthen industrialization efforts, and reduce dependency on external partners.
