The envoy addressed the Canadian Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and International Trade. He also met Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss issues focusing on partnerships anchored on shared priorities in peace and security while advancing the role of women and youth.
Canada pledges unwavering support for African-led solutions
Canadian Minister Joly reaffirmed Canada's commitment to strengthening Canada's partnership with the African Union Commission as Canada celebrates 15 years as an accredited permanent observer to the African Union. The Minister commended the work of the African Union Secretariat while acknowledging the African Union's productive engagement in addressing some of the continent's challenges and pledged Canada's unwavering support for African-led solutions. Canada hosted the first Canada-African Union Commission High-Level Dialogue in October 2022. The Canadian government hopes to continue discussing political, security, commercial, and development cooperation work in Africa at the upcoming High-Level Dialogue in the fall of 2024.
One of the vital meetings for the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye was with the Honourable Robert Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discussed the strategic role Canada can play in terms of investment, governance, peace, and security in Africa in tandem with the African Union Agenda 2063.
Ambassador Bankole Adeoye's delegation met with the Associate Deputy Minister in the Department of Defense, Honourable Natasha Kim. The meeting focused on how Canada can support the African Union in strengthening the capacity of the institution's PSOs to counterterrorism.
Ambassador Bankole Adeoye also had robust engagements with The Director at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, and the African Diplomatic Corps in Ottawa. Ambassador Bankole spoke about conflicts on the African continent and the efforts of the African Union Commission under the Political Affairs, Peace, and Security wing in mediation, elections, and governance.