Events

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER’S VISIT TO THE AFRICAN UNION: THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICA’S VAST OCEANIC RESOURCES AND THE COMMISSION’S DETERMINATION TO PROMOTE THE CONTINENT’S BLUE ECONOMY

Addis Ababa, January 14, 2014 - As a follow up to his commitment made at TICAD V (The Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development) held in June 2013 in Yokohama, Japan, H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, undertook an official visit to Africa, a visit that took him to the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where, in the presence of AU staff and various government officials, diplomatic corps, businessmen, local communities, and media representatives, he elaborated Japan’s foreign policy initiatives for Africa.

Echoing to the remarks made by H.E. Mr. Ato Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the AU, and those of H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, H.E. Dr. ZUMA, in her closing remarks, highlighted that “Africa, in addition to land resources, also has vast oceanic resources, and therefore is exploring more sustainable and inclusive ways of expanding and protecting its Blue economy, yet another area where we can share experience with Japan.”

Dr. ZUMA’s statement reveals the extent to which the AU Commission and Africans in general have decided to protect their maritime domain and promote the continent’s Blue Economy, a dimension that holds a prominent place in the AU 2063 Agenda. Such a vision is well-articulated in the AU 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy (2050 AIM-Strategy), an African comprehensive, integrative, innovative and multi-layered common approach developed by Africans, with Africans, and for Africans on the basis that Africa’s socio-economic development highly depends on her Maritime industry, Blue Economic and Blue Growth, also referred to, by the AU 387th Peace and Security Council held at Ministerial level on July 29, 2013, as “a new frontline of Africa's true and meaningful renaissance.”

For further details on the 2050 AIM-Strategy and its Plan of Action, please visit: www.au.int/maritime

PRESS RELEASE Nº253/2013

AUC Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha met with Mr. Ivan Mrkic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia, 17 December 2013 – H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Tuesday 17 December 2013, in Belgrade Serbia, met with H.E. Ivan Mrkic, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Serbia.

The meeting held discussions on a wide range of issues of international concern to both parties and examined the opportunities for cooperation, highlighting the willingness of both sides to promote and strengthen the partnership in the area of the technology transfer, education, infrastructure and energy, agriculture, and peace and security. A Memorandum of Understanding will be drafted and signed in the near future and will identify the areas of cooperation and modalities.

During a joint press conference that followed the meeting, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission informed the members of the press that his visit to Serbia coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the OAUAU, recalling that during the celebrations in May this year, the President of the Republic of Serbia, H. E Tomislav Nikolic was amongst the ten heads of stated who were invited to attend as AU Guests of Honor.

He indicated that his visit was intended to reignite the long-standing bond of friendship between African countries and Serbia, and to also explore areas where the two partners can constructively engage to help improve the lives of their peoples. “In the last two days we have held meetings with the president and other top officials of the government and have also met with key business sectors in a bid to identify areas of mutual interest and cooperation”, added the Deputy Chairperson noting that the meetings have been very successful and as a result, the two sides have agreed to establish a joint committee to work out a memorandum of cooperation.

The areas of cooperation we have identified include education; science and technology; Peace and security; Infrastructure and Energy; Health and Agriculture, said H.E. Erastus Mwencha, adding that the two partners are also looking forward in the near future to the exchange of visits by the business communities between Serbia and Africa to further explore the huge potential for collaboration that exists for Africa and Serbia.

Regarding the reform of the United Nations in order for it to better respond to the conditions of the 21st century, the two parties agreed to work together, along with other stakeholders, to help transform the UN and bring greater equity in global representation. Serbia, in particular, reiterated its position to support Africa to gain a permanent seat at the Security Council.

“The visit was short but very fruitful and provided the basis for a true and strategic partnership to cement the historical ties”, concluded the African Union Commission’s Deputy Chairperson.

For further information contact
Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: habibaM@africa-union.org | mejri-cheikh.habiba@hotmail.com I Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int
http://dcpauc.au.int/en
https://twitter.com/Erastus_Mwencha

AUC Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha met the President of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Mr. Tomislav Nikolic

Belgrade, Serbia, 16 December 2013 – H.E. Erastus J. O. Mwencha, the African Union Commission’s Deputy Chairperson, on Monday 16 December, started a two-day official visit to Belgrade by meeting the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic.

The meeting that took place at the Serbian presidency, focused the ways and means to improve and strengthen the good and historical relationships that exist between the Republic of Serbia and Africa; the international relations, particularly the reform of the UN System; as well as the economic international conjuncture and the involvement of Serbia on the capacity building in Africa.

The meeting underlined the necessity to direct investments to the economy in order to generate prosperity and sustainable human development. “We are working on the economic, social and political integration of the continent and we are looking forward to cooperate with Serbia, who left a footprint in Africa during its struggle against the colonialism, and to work together on how to put value”, said Mwencha.

For further information contact
Mrs. Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: habibaM@africa-union.org | mejri-cheikh.habiba@hotmail.com I Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Follow us
Face book: https://www.facebook.com/AfricanUnionCommission
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_AfricanUnion
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/AUCommission
Learn more at:
http://www.au.int
http://dcpauc.au.int/en
https://twitter.com/Erastus_Mwencha

Addis Ababa, 13 December 2013 – African Union Commission’s Deputy Chairperson Erastus J. O. Mwencha, will on the 16 and 17 December, pay an official visit to Belgrade, Serbia, during which he will meet with the President of the Republic of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic and the Serbian Prime Minister, Ivica Dacic.

During his two-day visit, AUC’s Deputy Chairperson will also meet with the Minister of Defense, H.E. Mr. Nebojsa Rodic,
and the Vice Minister and Minister of Foreign and Internal Trade and Telecommunications, H.E. Mr. Rasim Ljajic. The ICC and the Tribunal as well as UN reform are on the agenda of this meeting.
Mr. Mwencha said that this visit will offer a good occasion for relationship-building between the two sides, as well as an opportunity to explore areas of the regional and bilateral cooperation, especially in the fields of peace and security, economic cooperation, and education.

For further information contact
Mrs Habiba Mejri-Cheikh, Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: habibaM@africa-union.org | mejri-cheikh.habiba@hotmail.com I Web www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

About the African Union
African Union spearheads Africa’s development and integration in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens. The AU Vision is that of a prosperous, integrated, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena.

Learn more at:
http://www.au.int
http://dcpauc.au.int/en
https://twitter.com/Erastus_Mwencha

Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha Addresses the Press on behalf of the AU Commission

The Life and Legacy of Nelson Rholihlahla Mandela “Madiba”
The Man Nelson Mandela
The African Union (AU) is saddened by the news of the death of Africa’s illustrious and transformational leader, H.E. Nelson Mandela, former President of the Republic of South Africa, who passed away on the 5th December 2013. Today as we mourn his loss, we wish to pay tribute to his life and legacy in Africa, especially his efforts to promote democracy, freedom and equality not only in his home country South Africa, but across Africa and the world.
Nelson Mandela will be remembered as a symbol for wisdom, for the ability to change and the power of reconciliation. His life and Legacy is the biggest lesson, motivation, inspiration and commitment an African can give to Africa.
In his early life Mandela, grew in a society that did not recognize his being; that defiled his humanity and dignity, caged his freedom, denied him opportunities and relegated him to a lesser state of living. However, in those circumstances, Mandela thrived. Madiba created opportunities for himself where many could see none. He set himself apart by constant dedication, his faith, vision and above all, the focus on a dream to achieve freedom for his humanity and mankind. His greatest gift to humanity was sacrifice, love and respect. From his release from prison in 1990 to his last moments with us, Madiba greatest lesson to humanity was the declaration of freedom for all; freedom not in the mainstream sense of individual freedom but freedom that cut across humanity. In his exact words “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”

Legacy for Africans
Like so many others past and present, H.E. Nelson Mandela fought for Africa’s progress. Although his passing is a great loss to the continent, the continent has drawn inspiration from his life and legacy as he showed us that it was possible to create lasting change, peace and stability even in the most challenging circumstances. Because of his choices, the continent has moved forward from decades of struggle and apartheid to one of great hope, freedom and racial harmony. The end of apartheid brought the new phase of Africa, moving Africa away from the focus on decolonization to democracy, development and African integration.
While his apartheid struggle brought Africans together to fight colonialism, his post-apartheid life brought about greater integration, political stability and development, all of which are cardinal to AU’s commitment for a new Africa.
As a Commission, we can only but draw lesson from Madiba’s life. On Peace and political stability, Mandela has shown that “We” is more important than “I”. His political life symbolized “Us” and he brought political stability in post-apartheid South Africa through peace and reconciliation.
In his speech made to the African Union in Ouagadougou 1998, he wrote, and I quote: "The successor generation can and must reaffirm...that our countries and people's are bound together by the reality of a common destiny for our continent...that common destiny requires that we should treat the question of peace and stability on our continent as a common challenge" (Ouagadougou, June 8, 1998)

Today, we celebrate his life and will work to ensure that his legacy will leave on in the work of the African Union in forging towards an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa.

Rest well and Fare thee well Madiba!

Thank you