Addis Ababa - Angolan President João Lourenço arrived Thursday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 38th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), during which he will assume the leadership of the organization.
Accompanied by the First Lady of Angola, Ana Dias Lourenço, the Angolan Head of State was received at the Bole International Airport by the Second Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Temesgen Tiruneh, the Foreign Minister of Angola, Téte António, and other senior officials from both countries.
For the first time in almost 50 years of independence, Angola will assume the rotating presidency of the AU, replacing Mauritania, with a mandate that begins next Saturday and ends in February 2026.
On February 12, Angola marked 49 years since it joined the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the forerunner of the African Union (AU).
In a recent interview to ANGOP, Foreign Minister Téte António said Angola's presidency will promote conflict resolution and sustainable development in Africa through policies and plans that benefit the continent.
The diplomat said there is a strong intention for the country to show its commitment to sustainable development and unity among African nations, with initiatives focused on education, health and poverty reduction to improve the quality of life of Africans.
"The opportunity for Angola to lead the continental organization for the first time, especially in the year that marks the 50th anniversary of its independence, is a profound moment of pride and reflection," the minister said, adding that the country expects to be a source of hope and progress that reflects its "unwavering commitment" to Africa's future.
Angola, the minister stressed, is committed to promoting peace and security throughout Africa, drawing on its historical experience in mediation and conflict resolution, which includes addressing ongoing conflicts in areas such as the Great Lakes, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, advocating dialogue and negotiation rather than military solutions.
The diplomat noted that Angola defends multilateral cooperation, believing that the challenges facing Africa require collective solutions, which is why it has worked closely with international partners and neighboring countries to develop comprehensive strategies for peace and development in content.
"Angola looks forward to a presidency of the African Union characterized by a commitment to cooperative governance, peace building and the economic empowerment of the continent, as the country wishes to be a source of hope and progress during its mandate," said the head of Angolan diplomacy.
The high-level summit is preceded by a number of events, most notably the 46th Session of the AU Executive Council, which on Wednesday examined the report of the 49th Ordinary Session of the Committee of Permanent Representatives.
The delegates will also examine the draft legal instruments, the reports of the committees of the Executive Council, the items proposed by the Member States, the draft agenda and the draft decisions of the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
The Assembly also elects and appoints six Commissioners of the AU Commission and other senior officials of the organs of the African Union.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs is leading the Angolan delegation to the event, which includes the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Esmeralda Mendonça, the Secretary of State for Culture, Maria de Jesus, and the Angolan Ambassador to Ethiopia, Miguel Bembe.SR/ART/AMP
