President John Dramani Mahama arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 15th, 2025, to participate in the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. He received a warm welcome at Bole International Airport from Minister of Foreign Affairs Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa and Ghanaian diplomats.
Summit Focus: Reparations and Racial Healing
The summit, taking place from February 15th to 16th, focuses on the theme: "Justice for Africans and People of African Descent through Reparations." This theme, decided upon at the 37th Ordinary Session in February 2023, aims to advance reparatory justice and foster racial healing across the continent. The African Union Commission emphasizes the importance of this conversation, extending beyond historical injustices to address current societal issues.
Key Event: Election of AU Commission Chairperson
A significant event during the summit is the election of the next African Union Commission Chairperson. Moussa Faki Mahamat's term concludes on February 15th. Several candidates are vying for the position, including:
- Mahamoud Ali Youssouf (Djibouti)
- Raila Odinga (Kenya)
- Richard Randriamandrato (Madagascar)
Other candidates, including Anil Gayan (Mauritius), Fawzia Yusuf Adam (Somalia), and Vincent Meriton (Seychelles), have withdrawn from the race.
Comprehensive Agenda
The summit's agenda is extensive, encompassing:
- Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.
- Review of the 49th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives' Committee (PRC) report.
- Elections for various positions, including AU Commission Commissioners, Peace and Security Council members, and an African Space Agency member.
- Consideration of the annual report on the Union's activities.
- Reports from the Africa Centers for Disease Control (AFCDC) and the 15th AFCFTA Council of Ministers for Trade.
- Discussion of draft legal instruments, such as the Draft African Union Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and the Draft Statute of the Africa Food Safety Agency.
- Adoption of decisions and a closing ceremony.
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