APA-Conakry (Guinea) The meeting aims to strengthen cooperation between countries on the African continent and the kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Like France, Russia, the United States and China, Saudi Arabia has invited Africa to the table as this Friday, November 10, sees the opening of the first Saudi-Africa summit in Riyadh.
Several African presidents are taking part. Many of them have taken to their social networks to announce their departure for the Saudi captaincy.
“It is with honor and commitment that I announce my participation in the Saudi-Africa Summit,” announced the president of the Guinean transition, Colonel Mamadi Doumbouya, a few minutes after his arrival in Riyadh, specifying that “this first edition offers” his country “invaluable opportunities in terms of strengthening diplomatic relations, economic and security cooperation.”
For his part, Togolese Head of State Faure Gnassingbé maintains that “African and Saudi leaders will take stock of their partnership,” stressing that the occasion will also be used to “reflect on the prospects for enhanced cooperation.”
Emissary of President General Abdourahamane Tiani, Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine, Prime Minister of Niger’s transitional government, says the summit is “an opportunity for strategic partnerships and to highlight our leading role on the international diplomatic stage,” while Ivorian President Alassane Dramane Ouattara emphasizes the need to “strengthen the partnership between Saudi Arabia and African states, as well as to discuss current global challenges.”
According to Riyadh, the summit aims to strengthen political coordination, address regional security threats, promote economic transformation through research and local development of new energy solutions, and enhance investment cooperation.
On Thursday November 9, the Saudi Fund for Development signed 14 development loan agreements with twelve African countries (Mozambique, Niger, Burkina Faso, Benin, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Malawi, Tanzania, Cape Verde, Rwanda and Angola) worth over SR2 billion ($533 million) to finance projects in the health, water, education and transport sectors.
The fifth Arab-Africa summit, scheduled to take place next Sunday and to discuss the situation in Gaza, has been postponed to a later date.
ASD/ac/fss/abj/APA