Addis Ababa, February 19/2024 (ENA) The 37th African Union (AU) Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Governments concluded this morning with a strong commitment to address the continent’s challenges, prioritize key areas, and solidify international diplomacy.
Leaders of AU member countries, representatives of international organizations, and numerous other invited guests attended the 37th African Union summit, which was held at the organization’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the past two days.
The leaders have discussed a range of continental topics, such as peace and security, AU’s reform initiatives, quality and accessibility of education, and the implementation of Agenda 2063’s first phase ten-year plan.
The second phase of the ten-year Agenda 2063 plan has also been adopted by the summit.
The summit, capped by a night of closed-door discussions, emphasized the need for united action to navigate pressing issues and secure a brighter future for Africa.
Speaking at the closing session, Mau
ritanian President and the new AU Chairperson Mohamed Ould Ghazouani highlighted key takeaways from the first decade of Agenda 2063, the continental development roadmap, and expressed readiness to launch its second phase.
The chairperson pointed out education, with a focus on high-quality, 21st-century training, as a top priority under the year’s theme.
Emphasizing peace and security, Ghazouani pledged renewed efforts to resolve conflicts across the continent.
He also underscored the importance of a stronger African presence on the international stage, advocating for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council to ensure reformed and equitable global peace architecture.
Finding solutions to our problems and the multiple challenges our countries face require joint action through our organization and our union, Ghazouani stressed.
Peace, stability, human rights, good governance, and sustainable development were identified as key priorities , according to him.
The chairperson further emphasized the crucial
role of strong and resilient institutions in driving program success and achieving tangible progress.
He called for fostering complementarity and integration to maximize resources and impact.
“An Africa that takes hold of its own destiny in a strong dynamic on the international scene is not merely an option, but an existing necessity. We have no other choice,” he added.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency
WINDHOEK: The family of the late President Hage Geingob says they have accepted that his remains will not be taken to his ancestral land to perform funeral rituals, but they are happy that he will be reunited with his fellow comrades at Heroes’ Acre.
In an interview with Nampa, his nephew, John //Khamuseb said Geingob is from the lion clan and that traditionally when a person dies, their remains are taken to the place where their umbilical cord was buried.
‘In our family and in our culture of the lion clan, a person is buried twice. When your umbilical cord is buried, that is your first burial, and when your body is buried, that is your second burial. So, in our culture, you should first go back to your first burial site and that spirit must be cut, whether it is in the traditional or biblical context, because you are taken out of your area of jurisdiction,’//Khamuseb said.
Unfortunately, he said, the family have already promised that they would hand Geingob’s remains over to the State.
‘He was the Comman
der in Chief of the armed forces and this is the first time in Namibia that a sitting president passes on. Our family has accepted the State funeral and we have great respect for the current president who stood firm with our uncle through thick and thin. We honour that decision. No matter what, we respect that he bestowed a Heroes funeral on our uncle. We really feel he must be reunited with his comrades,’//Khamuseb added.
He stressed that it was under the leadership and care of Geingob that the remains of war veterans such as Putuse Appolus, Peter Nanyemba, Isaac Shikongo (Pondo) and Homateni Kalwenya were brought back from exile to Namibia for burial at the Heroes’ Acre.
‘It was under his care that Anton Lubowski’s remains were buried at the Heroes’ Acre. It was under his command that Moses Garoeb’s remains were reburied at Heroes’ Acre. It was under his inspiration that Hidipo Hamutenya who formed another party, maybe out of circumstances, was brought back to the party and was buried at Heroes’ Acre. So,
for us, he has to be reunited with his comrades,’ //Khamuseb maintained.
He further extended appreciation to Namibians for their overwhelming support to Geingob’s family during the mourning period.
‘As a family we sincerely appreciate the Namibian nation as they continue to have commemoration services all over the country in this difficult time. We also extend gratitude to the great Swapo party cadres, who our uncle said were there for him during the most difficult time of the struggle in exile. We express our sincere gratitude to everyone who assisted our uncle in achieving his great dream to become president of the Republic of Namibia. They shaped him as a statesman. Today, showers of accolades are put on his shoulders,’//Khamuseb added.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency