Nigeria poised for key role at AU summit in Addis Ababa- Snday Dare

As the African Union (AU) convenes its 46th General Session and the 28th Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Nigeria is set to play a crucial role in shaping discussions on regional security, diplomacy, and leadership within the continent.

Mr. Sunday Dare emphasized Nigeria’s influential position within the AU, noting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has demonstrated strong leadership in managing regional affairs over the past two years. He highlighted the President’s handling of military coups within the ECOWAS region and his decision to give the three breakaway countries a six-month window to reconsider their position.

“The deadline for their re-engagement expired on January 29, and while the process of their departure is almost concluded, there are indications that one or two of these nations are seeking to reconnect with ECOWAS,” Dare stated. He added that the AU Summit would provide President Tinubu with an opportunity to brief African leaders on these developments and engage in high-level bilateral meetings.

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A major milestone for Nigeria at the summit will be the appointment of a Nigerian as a commissioner on the AU Peace and Security Commission. According to Dare, this represents a significant achievement for Nigeria and aligns with President Tinubu’s foreign policy initiatives aimed at reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in continental affairs.

Beyond security matters, Nigeria will also play a decisive role in determining the next President of the African Development Bank (AfDB) as the tenure of the current officeholder concludes. Dare underscored Nigeria’s strategic influence in this decision, stating that “it will be difficult for anyone to secure the position without Nigeria’s support and the backing of President Tinubu.”

The AU Summit, often regarded as Africa’s equivalent of the United Nations General Assembly, remains a pivotal platform for advancing Nigeria’s diplomatic and economic interests. With President Tinubu leading the Nigerian delegation, the country is expected to strengthen its ties with key regional players and consolidate its standing as a major force in African governance and development.