TheCable

African heads of state and governments have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing integration, development and cooperation within the continent.

The leaders made the commitment at the fifth mid-year coordination meeting of the AU in Nairobi, Kenya, on Sunday.

In a statement, Dele Alake, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on communications and strategy, said the leaders expressed their support for initiatives aimed at boosting connectivity and tourism within Africa, including the implementation of e-visa facilitation.

They also underscored the need to promote cooperation in all fields of human endeavour in order to raise the standard of living of African people.

“They also pledged to champion the ratification of the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons to effectively support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda,” the statement reads.

“The leaders vowed to support the operationalization and expansion of key initiatives such as the AfCFTA adjustment facility, payment and settlement system, and guided trade initiative, aiming to enhance trade facilitation and economic cooperation.

“Call upon the AUC, RECs, AUDA-NEPAD, AfCFTA, regional mechanisms and member states to enhance domestic resource mobilization and stem illicit financial flows to secure quality and quantity financial resources to sustainably ensure implementation of its integration agenda;

“Urge member states to take leadership in its destiny through sustainable financing of regional and continental peace processes through optimal mobilization of domestic resources.”