By KABS KANU AND JARA KAWUSU-KONTE
Sierra Leone’s President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and the First Lady, Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma, along with the President’s delegation , have arrived in Kigali, Rwanda, where another busy time awaits the Sierra Leonean Leader at the 27th Ordinary Summit of the African Union Heads of State.
Today, the official opening of the 35th New Partnership For Africa’s Development ( NEPAD ) Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee meeting will be held to be followed by a Press Briefing by President of Senegal Macky Sall and NEPAD CEO Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki. At this summit, statements will be read by H.E. Paul KAGAME, President of the Republic of Rwanda , H.E. Idriss DEBY Itno, President of the Republic of Chad and President of the African Union and H.E. Dr. Nkosazana DLAMINI-ZUMA, Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
President Koroma will also chair the meeting of the African Union Committee of 10 ( C-10) on UN Security Council Reform, according to the State House Head of the Communications Unit, Mr. Jarah Kawusu-Konte . At the meeting, COCORIOKO learnt that the President is expected to brief C-10 Heads of State and representatives of government on his recent consultations with African leaders in Chad, Egypt and Zimbabwe and the way forward in the reform process .
Africa is demanding two seats in the Permanent Category of the Security Council, three in the Non-Permanent Category and access to the use of the Veto. Sierra Leone is chair of C-10 also during the intergovernmental negotiations at the UN in New York.
Later today, the heads of state will hold a retreat on newly proposed sources of funding for African Union activities.
During the AU Summit, the African heads of state will also discuss peace and security with the recent flare up of deadly violence in South Sudan and concerns about the upsurge in terrorism expected to top the agenda in this realm. The AU’s goal is to bring peace to Africa BY 2020.
AU members are also expected to vote for the readmission of Morocco in the AU.
A new chairperson of the African Union Commission, his or her deputy, and commissioners of the Union will also be elected.
STAY WITH COCORIOKO FOR UPDATES BY THE STATE HOUSE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER , MR. JARAH KAWUSU-KONTE AND REPORTS PIECED TOGETHER ALSO BY THIS NEWSPAPER
BELOW IS A REPORT ON PRESIDENT KOROMA’S ARRIVAL IN KIGALI AND PHOTOS BY JARAH KAWUSU-KONTE
__________________________________________________
President Koroma and First Lady arrive in Kigali to attend AU Summit
By State House Communication Unit
KIGALI, Rwanda, Saturday July 16, 2016// — President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sia Nyama Koroma, arrived safely in the Rwandan capital city of Kigali to attend the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union. This year’s theme is “2016: African Year of Human Rights with a Particular Focus on the Rights of Women”
PRESIDENT KOROMA AND FIRST LADY SIA KOROMA ON ARRIVAL
President Koroma and Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in conversation
Upon arrival, the president is expected to chair the C-10 meeting ahead of the plenary session tomorrow Sunday July 17 where he will present his report as Coordinator of the Committee of Ten Heads of State and Government on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council.
President Koroma and President Kenyatta in warm embrace..
The report is expected to build on the previous 17 Reports submitted to date by the C-10 to the Ordinary Sessions of the AU Assembly on the reform of the UN Security Council. It will also reflect on the Coordinator’s recent consultations with the Heads of State and Government of Chad (Chairperson of the AU), Zimbabwe, Egypt and South Africa during the period June 26th – July 1st, 2016.
Stay tuned for more on this and the activities of His Excellency President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma.
