Buhari, Aisha depart for AU Summit in Malabo

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, departed Nigeria to participate in African Union Extra-ordinary Session of Assembly of Heads of State and Government in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, with special focus on security.

President Buhari was accompanied by his wife, Aisha, who is the President of African First Ladies Peace Mission.

The latest development was made known via a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Thursday.

The statement was titled, ‘President Buhari attends AU Extra-ordinary summit in Malabo’.

Shehu stated that the three-day summit, which will hold on May 26th-28th, will also focus on Humanitarian Challenges in Africa, with related issues on migration, refugees, returnees and Internally Displaced Persons.

“At the summit, the African leaders will look at Terrorism and Unconstitutional Change of Government, with attendant spiraling effects on human rights and economies,” he added.

The presidential spokesperson stated that Buhari will join other Heads of State and Government to deliberate on Humanitarian Challenges, Hopes and Challenges in Africa, and participate in adoption of Assembly Declaration on Humanitarian Summit and pledging conference.

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Shehu noted: “On security and governance, the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union will take a united position on Terrorism and Unconstitutional Change of Government, and reach agreements on new approaches to stem the tide.

“President Buhari will also hold sideline meetings with some leaders during the meeting in Malabo.”

He added that Buhari will also be accompanied by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd); Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Other members of the President’s delegation are National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd); Director General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Amb. Ahmed Rufa’i Abubakar; and Chairman, Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

The Star