Events

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 30 June 2015: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on behalf of all AGOA eligible countries, has commended President Barack Obama for his leadership and strong commitment to enhancing Africa-U.S. economic partnership. President Obama, on Monday June 29, 2015, signed into law the Trade Preference Extension Act of 2015, to enact a 10-year renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).

The Chairperson of the AU Commission also expressed her gratitude to members of both Houses of Congress for their strong and broad bipartisan support for the reauthorization of AGOA. “Their vote to extend AGOA for 10 years is an eloquent illustration of the importance they attach to the U.S.’s relationship with Africa, and their interest in advancing sustainable trade relations with the continent,” said the Chairperson.

The Chairperson also commended the efforts of the private sector, African civil society and the Diaspora, who worked tirelessly with the African Ambassadors Group in Washington, D.C. and the AU Mission to promote a long-term extension of AGOA for the best interest of Africa-U.S. relations.

The preferences that AGOA provides have fostered a mutually beneficial partnership that will allow for job creation in both Africa and the U.S., and the enhancement of trade and business environments. AGOA demonstrates how a trade preference can catalyse the expansion and creation of new industries, new export sectors, and new jobs that promote the reduction of poverty and sustainable economic development of the continent.

Over 1.5 million jobs have been directly and indirectly created on the continent thanks to the economic opportunities it provides, with many supporting women and youth. Extending AGOA through September 2025 will provide the necessary certainty for long term and predictable U.S. investments in Africa and foster ever increasing economic development and deepened commercial ties over the next decade.

The AUC Chairperson reiterated the commitment of the AU Commission to work with all stakeholders to ensure that the new AGOA legislation meets its potential in promoting growth, development, increased industrialization and furthering integration of Africa into global and regional supply chains.

The Chairperson Dr. Dlamini Zuma looks forward to hosting President Barack Obama on the historic occasion of the first ever visit of a sitting U.S. President to the AU headquarters at the end of July. The Presidential visit will provide an excellent opportunity to further advance common interests and to take the Africa-U.S. strategic partnership to a higher level.

Addis Ababa, 17 June 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, is closely monitoring the evolution of the situation in Madagascar, after the decision issued, on 12 June 2015, by the High Constitutional Court (HCC), following the resolution for the impeachment of the President of the Republic, filed on 27 May 2015 by the Malagasy National Assembly.

The Chairperson of the Commission recalls that at the AU Summit which ended in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 15 June 2015, the Heads of State and Government, having reaffirmed their support for the efforts towards stabilization and socio-economic recovery in Madagascar, requested all the Malagasy political stakeholders to respect the decision of the HCC and to work toward the creation of the climate of stability necessary for Madagascar to continue to benefit from international support. The Summit also called on the Malagasy political stakeholders to exercise restraint, in order to allow the proper functioning of the institutions of the country.

The Chairperson of the Commission echoes the appeal of the Summit and the statement made, on 13 June 2015, by the International Support Group for Madagascar (GIS-M), chaired by the AU. She urges the Malagasy political stakeholders to demonstrate a high sense of responsibility and to spare their country a new cycle of instability, which could only complicate the mobilization of the support that Madagascar needs for its socio-economic recovery, after several years of crisis. She emphasizes the imperative of stability and of the proper functioning of the Malagasy institutions, as well as the duty of all Malagasy actors to contribute to the consolidation of the gains made within the framework of the crisis exit process in their country. In this regard, she reiterates the AU’s support to the Malagasy institutions and people.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 5 June 2015: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, sympathises with the families of victims, the government and the people of Ghana for the tragic fire that engulfed a petrol station where many people had sought shelter from the torrential rains that - hit the country. Over 200 people are reported dead, many of whom were commuters trying to escape the downpour.

The AU Commission Chairperson acknowledges the efforts of the government through the police force, the fire brigade and the National Disaster Management Organization in offering emergency services and helping families of the victims. The authorities are recovering bodies from the scene at the filling station north of Accra city center and bringing the site of the accident under control.

Ghana's capital and its surroundings are often hit by heavy rain and flooding around the months of June and July. The city is trying to contain the problems caused by the flooding including emptying drains for the past month to stop them from overflowing.

The AU Commission Chairperson calls upon the national and international community to provide support as needed to overcome hardships that may have been caused by the fire accident and flooding throughout the country.

Jacob Enoh Eben
Spokesperson of AUC Chairperson

Addis Ababa, 3 June 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, today, appointed Mr. Ibrahima Fall, of Senegal, as the AU Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region and Head of the AU Liaison Office in Burundi.

This appointment comes at a time when the AU, in support of the efforts of the East African Community (EAC) and in close collaboration with the concerned international partners, including the United Nations (UN), is working towards an early settlement of the crisis facing Burundi, as a follow up to the relevant decisions of the Peace and Security Council. Mr. Fall was a member of the AU High-Level Mission that visited Burundi recently under the leadership of former Prime Minister of Togo and OAU Secretary-General Edem Kodjo. In his new functions, Mr. Fall will also, on behalf of the AU and in collaboration with the UN Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, Sa?d Djinnit, follow-up the implementation of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Region.

Mr. Fall has a wealth of experience both national and international. As Professor in Public Law, he held important academic functions, including that of Dean of the Faculty of Legal and Economic Sciences at the Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar, before assuming governmental responsibilities in his country, first as Minister of Higher Education (1983-1984), then as Minister of Foreign Affairs (1984-1990). He also assumed public international functions, having successively been Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights in Geneva (1992-1997), Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the UN Secretariat in New York (1997-2002), Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region (2002-2007) and AU Special Envoy for Guinea (2008-2010).

Abuja, Nigeria – 29 May 2015: The Chairperson of the African Union (AU), H.E. Robert Mugabe, President of Zimbabwe and Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma joined other African leaders, dignitaries, Nigerian citizens and well-wishers, to witness the historic inauguration of H.E. Muhammadu Buhari as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The beautiful ceremony and the solemn power transfer made the day memorable and unprecedented in the history of Nigeria. The AU leadership followed, alongside millions of Nigerians, African Heads of state and governments in Nigeria and across the world as events unfolded from the Eagle Square Abuja, Nigeria, on Friday 29 May 2015.

Speaking at a Presidential inaugural dinner organised on the eve of the occasion of the inauguration, the AU Commission Chairperson congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for his election. She expressed confidence in the experience and leadership of the new President in handling the high expectations that have greeted his election. Dr. Dlamini Zuma assured the President of the full her support and that of the AU during his tenure of office.

During his maiden speech upon assuming office, President Buhari, among other things, also assured the sub-region and the continent of the full support of his administration, to play any leadership role that Africa expects of Nigeria. He took the opportunity “to thank the governments and people of Cameroon, Chad and Niger for committing their armed forces to fight Boko Haram in Nigeria."

Paying tribute to the then outgoing President, H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, the AU Commission Chairperson recognised his statesmanship and appreciated the manifested love for the people of Nigeria. The AU Commission Chairperson invited him to join former African Heads of State and Government to promote peace, democracy, good governance and development in Africa.
The AUC Chairperson also paid tribute to the Independent National Electoral Commission for doing an exemplary job in organizing a smooth electoral process. She hailed the people of Nigeria for their active engagement and participation in the peaceful and democratic elections that goes a long way to strengthen the culture of democracy.