Addis Ababa, 16 January 2018: The Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union (AU), Amb. Minata Samate Cessouma, met today with the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) of the Leagues of Arab States (LAS), Amb. Khalil Ebrahim Al Thawadi, at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The ASG was accompanied by Amb. Salih Sahboun, the Head of the LAS Delegation to the AU.

The two parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing the Africa-Arab Cooperation in different fields with special focus on the promotion of peace and security, democracy, good governance, human rights and the rule of law in Africa and the Arab world. Both parties stated the need to strengthen their cooperation ties based on the outcomes of the Africa-Arab Summit of 2010, which was held in Sirte, Libya, the Summit of 2013 in Kuwait, the Summit of 2016 held in Equatorial Guinea, and committed to institute a stronger political dialogue through annual meetings to discuss issues of mutual interest for both regions.

Commissioner Samate Cessouma, reiterated the need to jointly address a number of issues with LAS, such as the situation in Libya. She also highlighted the need to organize regular dialogues on issues related to the on-going conflict in Africa and the Arab world including issues on election observation, migration, internally displaced persons and the involvement of the civil society in the work of both organizations.

The Commissioner for Political Affairs also reiterated the African Union Commission’s support to the Palestinian people. She reaffirmed the AU position that any solution to the Palestine-Israeli conflict must take into consideration all resolutions and declarations previously taken to implement the two-state solution and achieve an everlasting peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

The Commissioner for Political Affairs concluded by reiterating the need for the African Union and the League of Arab States to work hand in hand with the view to ensure a lasting peace in Africa and the Arab Region.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Yusuf Mohammed
Communication Expert
Office of the Commissioner for Political Affairs
Mohammedy@africa-union.org
Tel: +251-11-551 77 00

Esther Azaa Tankou
Head of Information Division
yamboue@africa-union.org
Tel: +251911361185

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission
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