The presidents of South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria are not personally attending the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, despite their countries being represented by senior delegations.
The absence of Cyril Ramaphosa, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Bola Tinubu means Africa’s three largest economies by projected 2026 gross domestic product will participate without their heads of state.
South Africa, whose economy is projected at about $480 billion, is being represented by senior ministers and government officials while Ramaphosa follows proceedings from home.
Egyptian officials similarly represent their country after el-Sisi decided not to attend the gathering. Egypt’s economy is projected to reach approximately $430 billion in 2026.
Nigeria’s delegation is led by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with Tinubu reportedly spending his annual leave in France. Nigeria’s economy is projected at around $377 billion.
Tinubu’s absence has generated criticism from opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has demanded an explanation from the presidency. The Nigerian leader also stayed away from the 2024 and 2025 General Assembly sessions.
The presidency has rejected suggestions that his non-attendance could weaken Nigeria’s diplomatic influence, arguing that the country remains adequately represented and continues to play an important role in African and international affairs.
South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria are not the only countries whose leaders will be absent from the high-level gathering. Several prominent world leaders are also expected to be represented by ministers or other senior officials.
The absences come as African countries intensify demands for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council and seek greater international support for development, climate action and regional security.
UN General Assembly High-Level Week also provides opportunities for leaders to hold bilateral meetings, engage development partners and negotiate agreements outside the formal sessions. Without their presidents in New York, the three countries will depend on their delegations to conduct these engagements.
For Nigeria, the gathering could have offered Tinubu an opportunity to directly present the country’s counterterrorism priorities amid continuing security challenges in West Africa. South Africa and Egypt also have major diplomatic interests involving international trade, peace and security, climate financing and global governance reforms.
Although the presidential absences do not amount to a boycott, they leave ministers and diplomats responsible for advancing the three countries’ positions during formal debates and negotiations on the sidelines of the assembly.
COURTESY: omanghana.com
