Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Nigeria after representing the country at the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) held in Luanda, Angola.

The Vice President’s return was confirmed by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications at the Office of the Vice President, in a statement issued on Monday.

Nigeria advocates stronger African peace mechanisms

During the high-level summit, Kashim Shettima called for stronger African-led approaches to preventing and resolving conflicts across the continent.

According to Nkwocha, Nigeria emphasised the need for African countries to take greater ownership of solutions to security challenges affecting the continent.

He said Nigeria supported the Luanda Action Plan and advocated for sustainable funding of Africa’s peace and security structures.

The Vice President also stressed the importance of collective responsibility among African Union member states in addressing conflicts and promoting long-term stability.

Focus on continental security cooperation

The summit brought together African leaders and key stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving peace, security and conflict resolution mechanisms.

Nigeria reaffirmed its commitment to working with other African nations to strengthen regional cooperation and develop practical solutions to security challenges.

Shettima returned to Abuja after completing his official engagements in Angola.

Background Information

The African Union peace and security architecture was created to help African countries prevent conflicts, manage crises and promote stability.

African leaders have increasingly called for stronger continental ownership of peace initiatives, arguing that African-led solutions are necessary for addressing regional challenges.

Nigeria has historically played a significant role in African diplomacy, including peacekeeping operations and regional mediation efforts.