The 26th African Union Summit

This week I will be attending the 26th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. While I am a relative newcomer to the Summit, certainly in comparison to some of those present, the UK relationship with Africa is both long and rich. It is also a much more modern partnership than many may think. One that is ever changing to meet the global challenges, and opportunities, we all face.

I will arrive in Addis from South Sudan where I will have been urging all sides to finalise formation of the transitional government of national unity. There are few places that better demonstrate the need for proactive and united regional, African Union and international engagement more than Africa’s youngest country. Our work together has helped to secure the current peace deal but more will be needed to ensure the deal sticks and to begin to piece together a country that has been broken by conflict.

We have seen Africa rocked by conflict and terrorism for too long. Peace and security will be at the top of my agenda in all the meetings I have this week. And this is an area where I hope the UK can make a real difference, from practical support to the countries currently battling Boko Haram to active peacekeeping with British forces deploying as UN troops to in Somalia and South Sudan this year. Without security it is difficult for people and nations to thrive.

And that is very much what Africans and the UK want to see. An Africa that is peaceful and thriving. Economic development that brings prosperity is a subject that is close to my heart and one that I am keen to promote at every opportunity. It will soon be the case that there is more Foreign Direct Investment flowing into Africa from the UK than development assistance. That can only be a good thing. Ensuring business and the private sector can flourish, creating jobs and generating taxes, will benefit us all.

So for all the problems facing us today, what I see in Africa is a continent of hope and opportunity, of creativity and drive. Together we are all working towards a common goal of a peaceful, prosperous and integrated Africa. The 26th AU Summit gives us the chance to bring that a step closer.