Ethiopia: African Union summit in Addis Ababa July 3-4

Event

The Ethiopian government has announced that it will host the 29th African Union Heads of State summit in Addis Ababa from July 3 to July 4. Leaders from across the continent are expected to fly in for the summit, and Ethiopian authorities have stated that additional security measures will be implemented throughout the capital in the run up to and during the conference, which will be held at the African Union (AU) headquarters.

Roadblocks in the vicinity of the AU headquarters are to be expected and associated transportation disruptions are likely.

Context

Next week's AU summit will be the first to be chaired by the new AU president, Alpha Conde. It will also be the first summit held since Morocco rejoined the African Union bloc, since withdrawing 30 years ago after the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic's (SADR) controversial admission to the union in 1984.

Advice

Individuals in Addis Ababa in the coming days and during the July 3-4 summit are advised to anticipate heightened security throughout the capital, to allow for additional travel time, and to avoid large public gatherings.