BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE– Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini this morning joined African Heads of State and Government for the official opening of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the African Union Assembly in Luanda, Angola, where continental leaders are deliberating on strengthening mechanisms for conflict prevention and resolution.
Dlamini is representing His Majesty King Mswati III at the high-level summit, which is being held under the theme, “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.”
The Prime Minister left the country on Friday for the Angolan capital and arrived ahead of the summit, where he is representing the Kingdom during discussions on some of the continent’s most pressing peace and security challenges.
According to the African Union, the extraordinary summit is taking place on August 30 at the Luanda Convention Palace and was preceded by the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, held on Saturday. The meetings have brought together African leaders, AU Commission leadership, regional economic communities, peace and security institutions, special envoys and international partners.
The summit is being hosted under the leadership of Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, who is also the African Union Champion for Peace and Reconciliation in Africa.
During the closed session currently underway, the Prime Minister is expected to make interventions on behalf of the Kingdom of Eswatini as leaders discuss ways of improving Africa’s capacity to prevent conflicts before they escalate and strengthen mechanisms for resolving crises across the continent.
The discussions come at a time when Africa continues to face complex peace and security challenges, including terrorism and violent extremism, internal political crises, interstate tensions and other external shocks. AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has called for a strategic assessment of whether existing continental mechanisms are adequately equipped to respond to the changing security environment.
Reports indicate that one of the key outcomes expected from the summit is the consideration and adoption of a comprehensive decision, action plan and implementation matrix aimed at strengthening conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms across Africa.
The summit is expected to provide an opportunity for African leaders to take stock of existing peace and security instruments and agree on more coordinated and effective responses to conflicts affecting different parts of the continent.
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(Courtesy Pic)
