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Ordinary Session of the African Union to Focus on Fighting Corruption

by Dan Ngabonziza
3:22 pm

President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania welcomes President Kagame to Nouakchott where he will chair the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.

President Kagame, who is also the Chairperson of the African Union, has arrived in Nouakchott in the Islamic Republic of Mauritania where he is expected to chair the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU).

Held under the theme “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,” the Assembly runs from 25 June to2 July 2018. The 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly was preceded by the 36th Ordinary Session of the Permanent Representatives’ Committee and the 33rd Ordinary Session of the Executive Council.

President Kagame who also leads the African Union Reform will present a report on the progress of implementation to date. Key achievements include the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area by 44 African nations earlier this year in Kigali with the aim of eliminating barriers to trade, the agreement on movement of people across Africa, and significant improvement in the budget process.

The 0.2 % levy that will ensure the AU becomes financed by member countries is being implemented by close to half of the continent. In May of this year, Rwanda became the third African country to deposit instrument of ratification for the AfCFTA and the first to ratify the Protocol on the Free Movement of People.

To date, Kenya, Ghana, Niger, Mali and Swaziland have presented instruments for ratification of the AfCFTA. Prior to the Assembly, President Kagame will pay a courtesy call on President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz of Mauritania, and attend a State Dinner hosted by the latter.