Newly elected Heads of State and Government in Africa namely, the Presidents of Niger, Zambia, Cape Verde, Seychelles and Malawi addressed the opening ceremony of the 35^th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union on 5^th February 2022

In his statement, President of the Republic of Niger H.E. Mohamed Bazoum pledged to continue building the nation based on democratic principles and rules, and to fight for building the Africa We Want. He assured that Niger remains active in establishment of partnerships and continental synergies for a more united and better integrated Africa. He urged Heads of State and Government to sustain mobilization in the fight against terrorism and all factors of violence that are affecting the continent. Watch the address @ shorturl.at/lDLN5  

The President of the Republic of Zambia, H.E. Hakainde Hichilema, in his statement welcomed the theme for 2022, i.e. “Strengthening resilience in nutrition and food security on the African continent: Strengthening agro food systems, health and social protection systems for the acceleration of human, social and economic capital development”, which aligns with his administration’s development priorities on increasing the contribution of agriculture to economic growth. He also encouraged the Assembly to embrace the aspirations of the youth who desire jobs, business opportunities and a chance to be heard. Watch the address @ https://bit.ly/3HS6vPk

H.E. José Maria Neves, the President of the Republic of Cape Verde, spoke about the high impact of COVID-19 on Africa. He encouraged efforts by South Africa to start vaccine manufacturing in Africa and called for the strengthening of continental capacity through external financial assistance. He also underlined the importance of fighting terrorism in Africa. Watch the address @ https://bit.ly/3HS6vPk

H.E. Wavel Ramkalawan, the President of the Republic of Seychelles, noted that it is injustice that in February 2022 only 10% of population of Africa has been vaccinated against COVID 19. He encouraged efforts led by African countries in developing capacities to manufacture vaccines locally. He underlined the efforts to make Africa free of conflict. Watch the address @ shorturl.at/lDLN5   

H.E. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, President of the Republic of Malawi, spoke about the climate change effects on African countries, and pledged to advance the Union’s vision and Agenda 2063, and advance the agenda of development. Watch the address @ shorturl.at/lDLN5  

At the same occasion, the Chairperson of the African Union and President of the Republic of Senegal, H.E. Mr. Macky Sall, congratulated newly re-elected Heads of State and Government in Africa - Presidents Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, Patrice Talon of Benin, Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Congo Republic, Adama Barrow of Gambia, Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti and Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia.

For further information, please contact:

1. Mrs. Wynne Musabayana | Head of Communication Division| Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | E-mail:   MUSABAYANAW@africa-union.org | 
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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