African leaders met Saturday to discuss a slew of challenges facing the continent as UN chief Antonio Guterres urged them to do more to bring peace to conflict-hit regions. Guterres met with several African leaders on Friday, including Rwandan President Paul Kagame, to discuss in particular the crisis in the Congo. The summit will also aim to accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) launched in 2020. - Debt cancellation call -Created in 2002 following the disbanding of the Organisation of African Unity, the AU comprises all 55 African countries, with a population of 1.4 billion people. The Rwandan leader has called for the AU to take steps towards financial independence, with the bloc largely dependent on foreign donors.

Source: Ethiopian News February 19, 2023 01:05 UTC