VICTORIA, Seychelles, Vice President Ahmed Afif led the Seychelles delegation at the 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from February 17-18, 2024. This session marked the initiation of the African Union’s 2024 theme ‘Educate an African fit for the 21st Century’, with a focus on building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong, quality, and relevant learning in Africa. The Vice President’s participation underscored Seychelles’ commitment to continental priorities.
At this year’s summit’s opening ceremony, Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of Comoros, transferred the chairmanship of the African Union to the President of Mauritania, Mohamed Ghazouani, who will preside over the Bureau of the African Union for the year 2024. The handover was attended by heads of state and government from across the continent, reflecting the importance of continental unity and shared leadership. The ceremony was rich in symbolism, with each leader taking a moment to reflect on the journey of the African Union since its establishment.
Vice President Afif represented President Wavel Ramkalawan, chair of the Africa Island States Climate Commission (AISCC), in the meeting of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) on February 17, 2024. Mr Afif presented the AISCC report to the committee and emphasised the need for advocacy for a proactive shift towards sustainable, resilient green and blue economies that ensure biodiversity and resources for future generations. The report highlighted the particular vulnerabilities of small island developing states to climate change impacts.
On the evening of February 17, 2024, Vice President Afif and his delegation visited the Embassy of Seychelles in Addis Ababa and equally engaged with the Seychelles diaspora and embassy staff in a reception hosted by Seychelles’ Ambassador to Ethiopia, Conrad Mederic. On February 18, 2024, Vice President Afif attended the unveiling ceremony of the statue of the late Owalimu Julius K. Nyerere of Tanzania by the African Union Commission, with the South African Development Community (SADC) paying tribute to his significant role in Pan-Africanism and peacebuilding.
During the two-day summit, Vice President Afif also engaged in several bilateral meetings. In his meeting with Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President of the World Bank for the Eastern and Southern African Region, Vice President Afif expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship with Seychelles. He also held discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, on the sidelines of the summit, exploring avenues for deeper cooperation.
