Reunion Wire

African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have strongly condemned the coup attempt in Niger.

In a statement issued today, the chairperson strongly condemned the attempt by certain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic and republican institutions in Niger “tantamount to an attempted coup d’etat”.

He noted that it is tantamount to an attempted coup d’état.

Such actions by members of the military acting in total betrayal of their republican duty are unacceptable, Moussa Faki Mahamat added.

The chairperson, who said that he was informed of the attempt by certain members of the military to undermine the stability of democratic and republican institutions in Niger, urged immediate cease to these unacceptable actions.

He finally called on the people of Niger, all their brothers in Africa, particularly in ECOWAS, and around the world, to join their voices in unanimous condemnation of this coup attempt, and for the immediate and unconditional return of the felon soldiers to their barracks.

In related news, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to which Niger belongs as a member, has also denounced the attempted coup in Niger and warned of consequences if the plotters do not desist from their action and release President Mohamed Bazoum, who is reportedly held hostage.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Acting Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Antonio Pedro stressed the role of ECA together with its partners in rescuing the SDGs and accelerating the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063.

The Acting Executive Secretary made remarks yesterday while opening the 2023 Second Quarter Accountability and Program Performance Review Meeting (APPRM) with an emphasis on the need for urgency in meeting the twin agendas – 2030 and 2063.

He also emphasized the need for “proactive and adaptive responses in a changing global environment,” calling on staff to “respond to new and emerging challenges through innovative and creative approaches.”

He reiterated that accelerating the implementation of the AfCFTA in promoting economic transformation and inclusive diversified growth; addressing the challenges of climate change, green economy and energy transition as well as strengthening macroeconomic policies and governance are the major strategic tracks of the ECA.

These tracks must be buttressed by an ECA theory of change with clear value propositions and comparative advantage in order to achieve the agreed strategic objectives, he pointed out.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency

The Russia-Africa Summit 2023 will discuss partnership for food sovereignty, strategies to realise the potential and how Russia can help Africa develop its agricultural infrastructure.

Mr Oleg Ozerov, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, in a statement released on Tuesday in St. Petersburg, said the federation would discuss ways to establish its production on the continent.

Ozerov said though the issue was related to food security but it would be discussed within the framework of both the political summit and the Economic and Humanitarian forum.

“Russia is a supplier of products that ensure food security: grains, fertilisers and their components.

“This issue is becoming more and more acute. According to the latest UN report, the number of hungry people in Africa is growing.

“But, during the summit, we will also discuss establishing our own production on the continent, and African countries would like to receive agricultural technology and equipment from Russia,” he said.

He said Africa was one of the most vulnerable regions in the world in terms of food security, despite agriculture employing more than 60 per cent of its labour force and contributing about a third of the continents GDP.

“Experts estimate that 60 per cent of Africa’s fertile land is underutilised.

“The only way to solve this problem is to achieve food sovereignty. This is a realistic possibility due to the continent’s immense agricultural potential,” he said.

The Integrated Security and Sovereign Development block of the business programme of the Second Russia–Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian forum will hold the panel session on food sovereignty.

The session which will start on July 27 at 9.00 a.m. has its title as “Russia and Africa: Partnership for Food Sovereignty.”

The Second Russia–Africa Summit and Russia–Africa Economic and Humanitarian forum, which will hold from July 27 to 28 , is being organised by the Roscongress Foundation.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria