By 
The 24th Extraordinary Session of the Executive Council of the African Union has opened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a firm call for AU Member States to mobilise and utilise domestic resources to drive development and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
The primary focus of the session is to elect and appoint one Member each to the Peace and Security Council, the African Union Commission on International Law (AUCIL), and the African Space Council (AfSC).
According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Tuesday by Inutu Mwanza, First Secretary for Press at the Zambia Mission in Addis Ababa, the Executive Council will also consider a draft report on the election of two Commissioners—namely, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry and Mining (ETTIM), and the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI).
Zambia is being represented at the session by Chargé d’Affaires Nawa Siboongo, who is standing in for Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mulambo Haimbe.
In his opening address, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Mahamoud Ali Youssou, urged African countries to prioritize internal funding for key sectors, especially in light of the recent withdrawal of foreign aid by the United States of America.
He warned that poorly implemented taxation policies could further weaken African economies and threaten industrialization efforts.
“This challenge presents an opportunity for Africa to fully utilize the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and boost intra-African trade,” Youssou said, add, “By strengthening trade among African nations, the continent can enhance its economic resilience and reduce reliance on external partnerships.”
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments