US-Africa Leaders Summit to be held in 2022

President Joe Biden will welcome leaders from Africa next year for the second US-Africa Leaders Summit, the White House announced on Friday.

“This summit will continue efforts to strengthen ties with African partners based on principles of mutual respect and shared interests and values,” the White House announcement read.

“It will also serve as an opportunity to listen to and collaborate with African counterparts on key areas the United States and Africa define as critical for the future of the continent and our global community.”

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previewed the summit during a Friday speech to the Economic Community of West Africa on his multi-day trip to the continent.

“As a sign of our commitment to our partnerships across the continent, President Biden intends to host the US-Africa Leaders Summit to drive the kind of high-level diplomacy and engagement that can transform relationships and make effective co-operation possible,” he said.

The US has been increasingly involved in Africa as the continent grows in economic and political power, and as several conflicts continue to be waged across the region, including in Ethiopia and Sudan.

China is hosting its eighth Forum on China-Africa Co-operation in Dakar, Senegal, next week.

Mr Blinken said he is aware of the possible complications African countries may face by becoming further involved with the US.

“The United States doesn’t want to limit your partnerships with other countries,” he said. “We want to make your partnerships with us even stronger. We don’t want to make you choose. We want to give you choices.”

The secretary of state listed global health, the climate crisis, economic growth, democracy and security as areas in which the US and African nations could expand ties.

A date for the meeting has not been set but the White House said details are forthcoming.

The first US-Africa Leaders Summit was held in 2014 under the presidency of Barack Obama — when Mr Biden served as vice president — but the event was not held under former president Donald Trump.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.