BY PRECIOUS MIRACLE KARGBO
During the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Vice President Dr. Mohammed Juldeh Jalloh, representing President Julius Maada Bio, delivered two pivotal reports on behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The reports, addressing the reform of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the African Peer Review Forum (APR), highlighted significant strides made under President Bio’s leadership.
President Bio, who chairs the Committee of 10 Heads of State on the Reform of the UNSC, concluded his successful two-year tenure leading the African Peer Review Forum. Vice President Jalloh underscored the substantial progress achieved, particularly in rallying support for the Common African Position on UNSC reform and promoting participation in the African Peer Review Mechanism, a critical instrument for enhancing governance and accountability in Africa.
The 37th AU Summit commended President Bio’s outstanding stewardship of both the C-10 and the APR Forum, unanimously endorsing and adopting the reports presented by Vice President Jalloh. The reception of the reports reflected the AU’s unwavering commitment to advancing reforms within the United Nations and fostering intra-African cooperation.
Moreover, the AU Summit extended congratulations to Algeria for assuming the Chairmanship of the APR Forum for the 2024-2026 term. Members expressed confidence in Algeria’s ability to advance the APR Mechanism’s objectives and build upon the progress achieved under Sierra Leone’s leadership.
The presentations by Vice President Jalloh and the subsequent endorsement of the reports reaffirmed the AU’s determination to amplify Africa’s voice in global governance. The reforms advocated for in the UN Security Council and continued engagement with the APR Mechanism align with the collective vision of African nations for a more equitable and effective global governance framework.
As the AU Summit concluded, the African Union and its member states reiterated their commitment to addressing the continent’s challenges and leveraging opportunities for sustainable development. The reports presented by Vice President Jalloh are poised to guide Africa’s interactions with the UN and bolster the APR Mechanism’s impact in promoting good governance across the continent.
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