Buhari travels to Mauritania for AU summit

President Muhammadu Buhari will on Saturday embark on an official visit to Nouakchott, Mauritania.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said that Buhari will visit the country to attend the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly of Heads of State and Government, slated to hold from June 30 to July 2.

“In his capacity as the leader of the AU theme of the year: ‘Winning the Fight against Corruption, A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation’, the President will make introductory remarks and presentation on the theme.

“On the margins of the AU Summit, President Buhari and other African leaders will take part in an interactive session with President Emmanuel Macron of France on Financing AU-led Peace Support Operations authorized by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).

“Dominant issues affecting the continent such as peace and security, HIV/AIDS, regional cooperation, climate change will engage the attention of the African leaders during the Summit.

“The Nigerian leader will also hold series of high-level bilateral sessions on issues of shared common interests to the country, Africa and the world.

“Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, his counterpart in Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, and other top government officials will be on the President’s entourage,” the statement read.

Meanwhile, Buhari on Friday said that he will support any effort that will enhance security in West Africa.

A statement by Adesina quoted the President as saying this when he received the chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and President of Togo, Faure Gnassingbe, in Katsina.

He said during the meeting, “We need to team up to fight common enemies. Terrorists in whatever form are enemies of humanity and no effort must be spared to protect our people. I will always support anything that is meant to enhance security in our region.”

Buhari commended the proposal for a security summit between members of ECOWAS and countries in Economic Community of Central African States, which is billed to hold on July 30, 2018. y

Responding, Gnassingbe said he was happy to be in Katsina, Buhari’s state of origin and thanked his host for his help in calming the political situation in Togo.

READ ALSO : SPECIAL REPORT… In Borno, the scars of war run deep: Agony of lives shattered by Boko Haram

On how the sub – regional body could help Nigeria with the vexed issue of herdsmen activities, the ECOWAS chairman said that the problem was not peculiar to Nigeria but was common to a number of countries, including his own.

“It is not a religious or ethnic problem and must not be misconceived as such. We will discuss the matter, and try to find a solution,” he said.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now