João Lourenço, the current chair of the African Union (AU), has announced the appointment of his Burundian counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye as his special envoy for the Sahel region.
Ndayishimiye will spearhead the union’s high level diplomatic support and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the prevailing security and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel, the AU said Thursday in a statement.
The special envoy’s mandate covers intensifying engagements with the governmental authorities, opinion leaders, regional actors and organisations, civil society and all relevant stakeholders to foster dialogue, build consensus, and promote comprehensive strategies towards durable peace and stability within the Sahel region.
President Ndayishimiye brings with him very rich political experience, and impeccable credentials of resolute commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and cooperation, the statement noted.
Lourenço, who is also serving president of Angola, expressed confidence in the Burundian President’s ability to advance the union’s vision through his distinguished leadership and deep understanding of the continent’s complex dynamics, the statement noted .
The appointment is to foster the African Union’s drive to permanently silence the guns and promote peace, security, stability, and political dialogue in the Sahel region, it said.
Meanwhile, the African Union Commission chairperson calls on the AU Commission, the AU Mission in the Sahel (MISAHEL), all stakeholders and the international community to extend support to the new special envoy, who is expected to immediately commence his engagements in the region.
MG/as/APA