The 15th Ordinary Session of the Summit of the African Union (AU) has
today opened in Kampala under the theme: “Maternal, Infant and Child
Health and Development in Africa”.
Uganda’s minister of foreign affairs, Sam Kutesa who was the chief guest at the opening ceremony has called upon African states to unite against terrorism. “Terrorists can not defeat us if we stay united. We should unite against terroism,” Kutesa said.
49 African heads of state are scheduled to participate in the summit which is also expected to focus on peace and security, infrastructure, energy and food security.
This comes after an Ethiopian restaurant and a rugby club in the capital Kampala were hit by suicide bombings leaving at least 73 dead and injuring several football fans who had gathered to watch the World Cup final.
As a sideline event to the summit, the Government of Uganda hosted an African Youth Forum (AYF) alongside the 15th AU Summit from 17-19 July under the theme “Maternal, Infant and Child Health: African Youth Call for Action”.
Expressing her anticipation in an interview, the AU Commissioner for Social
Affairs, Bience Gawanas, said: “It is important for the AU, our leaders and
the continent that the July summit should not just be an end in itself, but
a means to an end… this summit will not aim for just another declaration.
“We are looking forward to an outcome that will make a real difference – not
just another commitment,” she said.
