By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari, Thursday departs Abuja for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to participate in the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) and enhance the implementation of free trade in the continent.

The theme of the AU Summit is ‘‘Acceleration of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Implementation.’’

The President will participate in three High-Level meetings on peace and security, climate change, and the political situation in some West African countries.

First is the Peace and Security Council (PSC) meeting of Heads of State and Government on the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (AUPSC High-Level AU), to be chaired by the President of South Africa, in his capacity as the Chair of the Council for the month of February.

Second is the meeting of the Committee of the Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), currently chaired by the President of Niger Republic.

On the margins of the annual meetings of the AU, President Buhari will also attend an extraordinary summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS.

President Buhari will deliver remarks at these events as well as present his National Statement at the opening session of the Summit, which brings together leaders from the AU member countries as well as a number of non-AU countries and international institutions accredited to the AU in Addis Ababa.

Buhari will be accompanied on the trip by some Ministers and other top government officials; and will return to Abuja on Monday, February 20.