UPDATE

Mahmoud Ali Yusuf from Djibouti is the new African Union Commission chairperson.

He saw off competition from Kenya’s Raila Odinga who pulled out in the sixth round.

Yusuf garnered 33 votes in the 7th round.

He takes over from Chad’s Moussa Faki who has been in office since 2017.

UPDATE

President Mnangagwa joins fellow Heads of State and Government at the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit being held in Ethiopia.

UPDATE

AU Summit Day 3

President Mnangagwa attends 38th SADC Summit in Addis Ababa

President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is also the current Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), attends the official opening of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this morning.

During his visit, President Mnangagwa participates in a High-Level Breakfast Briefing on South Africa’s G20 Presidency, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the African Union headquarters. South Africa’s G20 Presidency takes place at a critical time, as the world faces multiple interconnected crises, including climate change, underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger, unemployment, rapid technological changes, and geopolitical instability.

Additionally, President Mnangagwa schedules a meeting with Mozambique’s President, Daniel Chapo. The meeting, initially postponed due to a packed agenda, aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the two nations.

In another key engagement, President Mnangagwa, alongside Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, formally introduces Dr. Samuel Maimbo as the SADC and COMESA-endorsed candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB). The AfDB election draws significant interest, with more than five candidates from across the continent contesting for the leadership role.

UPDATE

Leaders to pledge support for AU Peace Fund

Online Reporter

In a landmark effort to secure sustainable financing for peace across Africa, leaders, financial institutions and private sector stakeholders will convene to pledge support for the African Union (AU) Peace Fund and explore innovative funding models for African-led peace initiatives.

The high-level meeting, set to take place on Saturday, February 15, 2025, aims to address the pressing need for sustainable peace financing, ensuring that Africa has the resources to prevent and resolve conflicts independently.

The AU Peace Fund, established to support peacekeeping missions and conflict resolution efforts, remains underfunded despite its critical role in maintaining security on the continent.

The upcoming pledging conference will seek commitments from governments, multilateral organizations, and private entities to strengthen the fund’s financial base.

In addition to securing pledges, participants will explore innovative funding mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, impact investment strategies, and leveraging technology for transparent resource mobilisation.

With conflicts and security challenges persisting in various parts of Africa, leaders recognize the urgency of establishing a robust, self-reliant financing framework to reduce dependence on external donors.

The outcomes of the meeting are expected to shape the future of peace financing on the continent, reinforcing Africa’s commitment to homegrown solutions for long-term stability and growth.

UPDATE

Garikai Fadzi

IT will be a busy day for President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has kicked off his program with a briefing with his cabinet ministers and some senior government officials on his delegation.

The meeting is taking place at his hotel in Ethiopia’s capital, ADDIS ABABA.

Soon after the daily briefing,he will proceed with a series of bilateral engagements which he has lined up.

According to the official programme, soon after the briefing, UAE Minister of State and Member of the Royal
Family, H. H. Shaikh Shakboot Nahyan Mabarak Al
Nahyan will visit the President at his hotel for a meeting.

Later,President Mnangagwa will join other African leaders at the High-Level Meeting on Domestic Health Financing
hosted by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and AU Champion on Domestic Health Financing.

President Mnangagwa arrived in Ethiopia on Thursday night for the 38th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit.

The Summit is being held under the theme “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations.”

UPDATE

AU Summit Day 4

President Mnangagwa attends Peace and Security Council meeting at AU

Online Reporter

President Mnangagwa attended a Peace and Security Council meeting of Heads of State and Government on Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Friday.

He was accompanied by the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister, Hon Professor Amon Murwira and Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister, Hon Kazembe Kazembe.

This meeting is part of ongoing efforts to address the deteriorating humanitarian situations in both Sudan and the DRC.

President Mnangagwa has expressed unwavering support for peace initiatives in DRC and Sudan.

The discussions at the AU are crucial for promoting stability and cooperation among African nations, particularly in regions facing conflict.

UPDATE

President to lead high-level endorsement AfDB candidate

SADC Chairperson President Mnangagwa will this afternoon lead a joint address with COMESA endorsing Zambia’s Dr Samuel Maimbo as the two regional blocs’ African Development Bank (AfDB) presidential candidate.

Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, the current COMESA Chairperson, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema are expected at the address.

“Their Excellencies will formally introduce Dr Samuel Maimbo, Zambia’s candidate for the Presidency of the African Development Bank and endorsed by SADC and COMESA, to set out his vision for creating a more prosperous and resilient African continent,” reads a statement released by Dr Maimbo’s campaign.

Dr Maimbo is among those vying to replace Akinwumi Adesina who steps down in May after a two-year tenure.