Addis Ababa: Morocco Takes Part in Preparatory Meeting of African Union Summit

Morocco is taking part in Addis Ababa in the 40th ordinary session of the Executive Council of the African Union in preparation for the 35th African Summit scheduled for Feb.5-6 in the Ethiopian capital.
The two-day preparatory meeting, which started Wednesday, is discussing the decisions, statements and recommendations to be submitted to the summiteers for approval and adoption.
The agenda includes several issues including the fallout of the covid-19 pandemic, the slow pace of vaccination against coronavirus in Africa, the increasing threats of insecurity from conflicts and terrorism, “the unconstitutional changes” of governments in some African countries and the socio-economic development in the continent.
The preparatory meeting will also discuss the Union’s financing, the Implementation of Agenda 2063, the election of members of the AU Peace & Security Council, the Institutional Reforms, Gender & youth parity as well as support to education, science and innovation.
The socioeconomic impact of the covid-19 pandemic has led several African countries to recession for the first time in decade, resulting in rising inflation and debt burden.
According to Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), the continent needs 454 billion dollars to respond to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.