Luanda - President João Lourenço returned to Luanda on Friday from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he was on a working visit as part of his chairmanship of the African Union (AU).
João Lourenço was welcomed at the 4 de Fevereiro International Airport by the Vice-President of the Republic, Esperança da Costa, and government officials.
At the centre of the agenda was the swearing-in ceremony of the members of the AU Commission, its President, Mahmoud Alo Youssouf, and Vice-President, Selma Malika Haddadi, both elected during the 38th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government.
Moses Vilakati (Eswatini), Lerato D. Mataboge (South Africa), Bankole Adeoye (Nigeria) and Amma A. Twum-Amoah (Ghana) were also sworn in as Commissioners for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Environment, Infrastructure and Energy, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, and Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development. Twum Amoah (Ghana).
Due to a lack of candidates, the commissioners for economic development, trade, tourism, industry and minerals, and education, science, technology and innovation were not elected at last month's summit, which was postponed until April.
On a bilateral level, the Angolan President met with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed Ali, with whom he discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations and other issues of mutual interest.
Earlier, João Lourenço visited his office on the 19th floor of the headquarters of the African Union and then met with the President and Vice-President of the AUC, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and Selma Malika Haddadi respectively, as well as with the Commissioners of that body.
Lourenço then went to the Adwa Victory Memorial Museum, where he laid a wreath. This historic site commemorates the Ethiopian victory over Italy in the Battle of Adwa in March 1896.
Early on Friday morning, before leaving Addis Ababa, the acting chairperson of the African Union visited the Centre for Disease Control in Africa (CDC), an AU institution.
President João Lourenço was shown how the Centre works in its mission to monitor the health situation on the African continent, with a particular focus on epidemics.
In the book of honor, the President praised the ECDC's "remarkable" efforts to advance the continent's public health agenda, adding that the continent's public health agenda is closely linked to economic growth and job creation, ensuring the safety and well-being of all Africans.
João Lourenço described the African CDC as "a beacon of excellence in public health and disease control that the whole continent can be proud of", after emphasizing the institutions key role in strengthening the continent's capacity to respond effectively and rapidly to emerging health threats.
The AU President stressed that the Centre's fundamental role has set a commendable standard in disease surveillance, prevention and control, contributing immensely to continental and global health security. VIC/TED/AMP
