At the invitation of the president of the African Union (AU) Commission, the former president of the Republic of Niger Issoufou Mahamadou, designated Champion of the African Continental Free Trade Area (Zlecaf), takes part from 17 to February 18, 2024, in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, at a meeting on the Zlecaf which is being held on the sidelines of the African Union summit.
This trip by President Issoufou to Ethiopian soil in Africa follows the invitation dated February 8, addressed to him by Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat in person, and of which Niger Inter Hebdo had a copy.
Former President Issoufou Mahamadou is participating in this important meeting, included in the agenda of the 37th Ordinary Session of the African Union Summit, alongside other African leaders.
In his letter of invitation, the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission addressed President Issoufou Mahamadou in these terms: "I have the honor to invite your Excellency to take part in person, at said session. I sincerely hope to benefit from your valuable contribution during the work of this assembly,” wrote Mr. Moussa Faki.
A mark of esteem and consideration for Issoufou Mahamadou, the former president of Niger, who worked boldly for the establishment of the Continental Common Market (Zlecaf) but who, unfortunately, arouses the wrath of his detractors who try to make it an event where it is not one.
Indeed, due to his international commitments, former President Issoufou Mahamadou is, until proven otherwise, free to move, and therefore free to honor his commitments anywhere in the world where duty calls him. Besides, how could it be otherwise, given that nothing has been brought against him, neither by the Nigerien justice system, even less by the new military authorities of the country.
It is right that Issoufou Mahamadou is participating in this important meeting in Addis Ababa in his capacity as Zlecaf Champion. Through his leadership, the former president of Niger contributed greatly to the realization of the project to create Zlecaf. A leadership which has earned it the designation by the African Union, Champion of this common vision of “African Market” that is the Zlecaf.
As a reminder, it was in Niamey that the official launch of the operational phase of the Zlecaf took place. It was on the occasion of the 12th Extraordinary AU Summit, held in July 2019. It came into force two years later and ratified by 54 countries on the African continent. Since then, the acceleration of its implementation by the African Union (AU) has begun.
Abdoulaziz Moussa
Source : https://nigerinter.com/
Niger Inter (NIGER)
