Shettima Joins AU Summit as Burundi's President Takes Chair

On October 16, 2023, Kashim Shettima, the Vice President of Nigeria, participated in the 39th African Union (AU) Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The summit marked the transition of Evariste Ndayishimiye, President of Burundi, into the role of Chairman of the African Union, succeeding João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of Angola.

The event was attended by no fewer than 49 heads of state and government leaders, alongside global development partners, including António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, and Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy. The summit's theme centered on ensuring sustainable water availability and sanitation systems to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the need for African leaders to unite in addressing socio-economic transformations. Guterres reiterated the UN's support for the African Union and called for strengthened commitments to peace and security across the continent.

The summit also highlighted significant progress in areas such as infrastructure and human capital development.