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Stella Omona

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has arrived in Luanda, Angola, ahead of the 21st Extraordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU), scheduled for August 29–30, 2026.

The extraordinary session is expected to focus on “Strengthening Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention and Resolution in Africa.”

According to a statement by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Dr. Magnus Eze, on Thursday,
Odumegwu-Ojukwu arrived at the Dr. Antonio Agostinho Neto Angola International Airport on Tuesday evening, where she was received by Ambassador Matias Pires of Angola’s Ministry of External Relations.

She was also received by officials of the Nigerian Mission in Angola, including the Acting Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Maxy Ogbede; Defence Attaché, Navy Captain Mohammed Adamu; Head of Consular Section, Dr. Maxwell Anu-Okeke; and other members of the mission.

The minister is expected to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday. Shettima will represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the high-level AU meeting.

During her stay in Luanda, Odumegwu-Ojukwu is expected to hold bilateral engagements, meet with staff of the Nigerian Embassy and interact with members of the Nigerian community in Angola.

The extraordinary summit will be preceded by the 26th Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive Council.

The high-level meeting is part of ongoing efforts by the continental body to address Africa’s increasingly complex peace and security challenges.

According to the statement, despite progress recorded through mechanisms including the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and African Governance Architecture (AGA), political, socioeconomic, identity-related, environmental and security challenges continue to threaten stability and sustainable development across the continent.

It noted that the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly, held in February 2025, emphasised the need to adapt Africa’s peace, security and governance mechanisms to emerging realities.

Similarly, the AU Peace and Security Council, under Angola’s chairmanship, reaffirmed in September 2025 the need to revitalise conflict prevention and resolution mechanisms, with greater attention to the structural causes of conflicts.

The 21st Extraordinary Session is therefore expected to provide a platform for strategic reflection at the highest level on strengthening preventive diplomacy, promoting inclusive governance and enhancing coordination between the AU and the Regional Economic Communities/Regional Mechanisms (RECs/RMs).

The meeting is also expected to advance sustainable African-led solutions aimed at achieving lasting peace and stability on the continent.

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