Nairobi, Kenya – On July 16, 2023, the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, hosted the 5th Mid-Year Coordination Meeting, bringing together African leaders to discuss the state of continental integration in Africa and the advancing the African Union (AU) integration agenda. This meeting was marked by the presence of many prominent leaders, such as the Chairpersons of the various Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and Regional Mechanisms (RMs), who shared their perspectives on regional and continental integration. Here is a summary of the key points discussed during this historic meeting:
The meeting began with a solemn opening ceremony, with the AU anthem played at the opening. Keynote addresses were delivered by high profile personalities, including the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the President of the Republic of Kenya, William Ruto, and the UN Under-Secretary-General, Amina J.Mohammed. The AU Chairman-in-Office, Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, also delivered an opening speech.
The state of continental integration in Africa was the first major point of discussion. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, presented a detailed report on the progress made so far as well as the remaining challenges. Mahamadou Issoufou, AU Champion for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), reported on the latest developments regarding the implementation of the AfCFTA, considered a key pillar for economic integration in Africa.
The Chairpersons of the various RECs then took the floor to present their perspectives on the state of regional integration in their respective regions. Speakers included such leaders as Mahamat Idriss Deby, President of the Republic of Chad and President of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia and President of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and President of the East African Community (EAC). These leaders shared their experiences and visions for strengthening regional integration in Africa.
The meeting also addressed the issue of division of labor between Member States, RECs/RMs and the AU. A detailed report was presented, highlighting the progress made so far and the steps taken to improve coordination and cooperation between the different entities. This discussion highlighted the importance of filling existing gaps and strengthening cooperation for more effective integration.
Another important point of this meeting was the highlighting of the achievements of the AU and the RECs/RECs in terms of integration. The leaders presented case studies of successful initiatives that have helped consolidate regional and continental integration, highlighting best practices and lessons learned. These testimonies inspired the participants and underlined the importance of a collaborative approach to achieve integration objectives.
The environment, climate change and the blue economy in Africa were also at the center of the discussions. The leaders exchanged on the challenges and perspectives related to these areas, and shared initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable and resilient development. The presence of the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, as President of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, reinforced the importance of this issue and encouraged the participants to step up their efforts to address environmental challenges.
Finally, the meeting addressed the issue of the Ukraine-Russia peacekeeping mission. The President of the Union of Comoros, Azali Assoumani, and the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, shared recent developments regarding this peace mission and underlined the importance of stability in the region .
In conclusion, the mid-year coordination meeting in Nairobi was a crucial step in discussing regional and continental integration in Africa. The leaders shared their perspectives, experiences and initiatives to strengthen integration and promote sustainable development. This meeting served to strengthen the links between the different actors and stimulate greater cooperation to achieve the common objectives of an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa