African summit to focus on displacement, migration

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) - This year’s African Union leaders’ summit will focus on ways to improve the situation of the displaced, an official said on Tuesday.

African Union Commission Deputy Chairperson Kwesi Quartey's remarks came on the sidelines of the Permanent Representatives Committee meeting consisting of ambassadors, who gathered to prepare agenda items for the summit slated for Feb. 10-11.

Quartey told reporters that displacement and migration were major problems in Africa.

“Displacement is a serious problem in Africa,” he added.

African leaders will meet in the 32nd summit themed: "The year of refugees, returnees and internally displaced persons: Towards durable solutions to forced displacement in Africa."

Last year saw massive displacements in Africa as ethnic-based clashes made 2.7 million people flee their homes from some areas in Ethiopia -- making the Horn of Africa nation surpass even Syria in the number of displacements.

However, hundreds of thousands have returned to their respective villages following the return of normalcy and peace.

Quartey said the summit will also dwell on democracy, governance and human rights in addition to the reform agenda that includes furthering the ongoing efforts of the pan-African body to become financially independent.