Events

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 11 October 2014

AUC Chairperson Congratulates 2014 Nobel Peace Laureates

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, congratulates the 2014 Nobel Peace joint Laureates Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai. Both share the award “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education.” A Press Release from the Norwegian Nobel Committee stated.

"The award to 17 year old Malala is unprecedented. It is a loud message to our young girls and boys, and to the rest of the world, that the future of our youths is now. Their education and empowerment cannot be compromised by any individual or group of people." Dr. Dlamini Zuma welcomed the iconic young girl’s historic nomination.

The announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was made by the Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee Thorbjorn Jagland on Friday 10 October 2014, in Oslo, Norway. According to the Press Release, Kailash Satyarthi, a Hindu from India, “has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain. He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights.”

Meanwhile, Malala Yousafzay, a Muslim from Pakistan, “has already fought for several years for the right of girls to education, and has shown by example that children and young people, too, can contribute to improving their own situations. Through her heroic struggle she has become a leading spokesperson for girls’ rights to education.”

Jacob Enoh Eben
Spokesperson of the Chairperson
African Union Commission

Press Release Nº 266/2014

A single African air transport market critical to agenda 2063

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 10 October, 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma met a delegation of the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) to discuss the importance of the aviation sector in the socio-economic transformation of the continent.

During the meeting, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said: “Connecting Africa through aviation and other transport infrastructure is critical to integration, intra-Africa trade, as well as to tourism, economic growth and development more generally. The sector is also an important creator of jobs and critical skills on the continent. The aviation sector is strategic for the implementation of Agenda 2063.”

In the engagement with the Chief Executives, they noted that discussions on African open skies have been on-going for the last two decades, culminating in the adoption of the Yamassoukro Decision by African Heads of State and Government in 2000. Over the last decade, with sustained economic growth on the continent, a growing middle class and more tourists and businesses coming to Africa, the delays have been at Africa’s peril, with loss of market share by African airlines, from 60% in the early 90s to under 20% at present.

The meeting considered what needs to be done to remove the blockages towards the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision on the Liberalisation of Air Transport Markets in Africa and to move towards the creation of a single African aviation market.

AFRAA Secretary General, Dr. Elija Chingosho highlighted the importance of the liberalisation of the continent’s air market to be accessible by all citizens. He said, “air transport should be affordable for everyone, not just be monopolized for the rich and the wealthy. As a continent we are subsidizing the industry for international carriers.” Dr. Chingosho appreciated the timeliness and pertinence of convening the meeting at a time when African aviation occupies 20% of market share in Africa.

As an immediate follow up, the AU Commission’s Department of Infrastructure and Energy will convene a meeting of African aviation experts to be held at the end of October 2014 in Nairobi, Kenya. They will iron out the technical issues that will facilitate the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision, to move towards the single African aviation market, and come up with recommendations for Member states.

The AU Commission will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the aviation sector to accelerate the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,

3 October 2014

Eid Al-Adha Message from HE Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Chairperson of the African Union Commission

On the eve of this holy occasion, I would like to warmly congratulate our Muslim sisters and brothers in general and members of the African Union Muslim Community in particular as you celebrate this year’s Eid-Al-Adha, the “Feast of Sacrifice”.

This is a day of utmost significance for Muslims around the world, but also for mankind to remind ourselves of the sacrifices we make for the good of everyone. As we celebrate this day, we uphold our love and respect for one another, while striving to make our world a better place.

I want to seize this opportunity to call upon more sacrifices as we unite our efforts to fight the ongoing Ebola epidemic in West Africa and maintain peace in our continent.

As this day also marks the ending of the pilgrimage, I wish all Muslims especially African pilgrims performing this sacred practice a blessed and accepted Hajj.

Eid Mubarak!!!

H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Chairperson,
African Union Commission

CAR interim President expresses gratitude, asks for post-conflict reconstruction & development support

New York, USA, 25 September, 2014: Central African Republic interim President HE Catherine Samba-Panza has expressed her appreciation for the support of African Union Member States for her country through its difficult times. She appealed for more support to overcome current challenges of post-conflict reconstruction and development.

HE Catherine Samba-Panza spoke with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission HE Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma when they met in the margins of the 69th UN General Assembly in New York.

She said though the country has gone through the most difficult phase of its conflict, there are still major challenges of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, as well as a need for national dialogue and reconciliation. She appealed for further partners’ support and accompaniment in these areas, including post-conflict reconstruction and development.

AUC Chairperson Dr. Dlamini Zuma assured her and the people of the Central African Republic of the support of the African Union, especially the peacekeepers who have remained committed till their recent re-hatting from being Africa-led to a UN-led peacekeeping mission. She said AU peacekeepers will remain at the core of the peacekeeping mission, and the Union will mobilise the necessary support to speed up the recovery and development of the Central African Republic.

New York, US - September 24th, 2014 - The Rockefeller Foundation and the African Union Commission have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote increased cooperation in their efforts towards Africa’s progress.

The MoU was signed on 24th September 2014 between the African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Rockefeller Foundation President Dr. Judith Rodin.

The signing took place in the margins of the 69thUnited Nations General Assembly, in support of the Africa Agenda 2063 at its final stage of development.

Popularly themed ‘The Africa We Want’, the Africa Agenda 2063 encapsulates the voice of Africa’s people and their aspirations for the next 50 years. It emphasizes inclusive prosperity, integration, community participation, good governance and peace among many other ideals.

“The African Union Commission is an important partner of the Rockefeller Foundation. We have both worked alongside individuals and organizations across Africa for many decades now to support progress in many sectors. This agreement amplifies our shared vision for a strong, vibrant Africa,” said Dr. Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Among the areas of greater collaboration for the two entities are Africa’s health, livelihoods, youth employment, food security, urbanisation and resilience.

Last year the AUC celebrated 50 years since the inception of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the AUC’s parent body, as the Rockefeller Foundation marked 100 years in philanthropy, with both organizations celebrating milestones in improving the lives of Africa’s people.

The agreement also comes as AUC announced 2014 the year of Agriculture and Food Security, an opportune time to strengthen ties with the Foundation, which currently has two Africa-wide initiatives focusing on reduction of food waste and spoilage, and securing farmers’ livelihoods.

“Africa is rising, and we want it to rise with its people, including the youth and women. Our collaboration with partners such as The Rockefeller Foundation will strongly support the realization of an integrated and prosperous continent at peace with it will self. It will boost the skills revolution in which we are currently embarking, strengthen our health systems as well as

foster climate-smart agriculture needed for our transformation.” Said H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Together, the Foundation and the AUC already have a number of initiatives in Africa that are aimed at improving the lives of poor and vulnerable people; one is the African Risk Capacity
(ARC), a pan-African weather insurance scheme designed to help AUC member states withstand and recover from natural disasters. ARC currently has a 24 country membership, giving them access to a financial risk pool that uses advanced satellite weather surveillance and software which estimates and disburses immediate funds to these countries when hit by hazards like severe drought.

About The Rockefeller Foundation
For more than 100 years, The Rockefeller Foundation’s mission has been to promote the well-being of humanity throughout the world. Today, The Rockefeller Foundation pursues this mission through dual goals: advancing inclusive economies that expand opportunities for more broadly shared prosperity, and building resilience by helping people, communities and institutions prepare for, withstand, and emerge stronger from acute shocks and chronic stresses. To achieve these goals, The Rockefeller Foundation works at the intersection of four focus areas – advance health, revalue ecosystems, secure livelihoods, and transform cities – to address the root causes of emerging challenges and create systemic change. Together with partners and grantees, The Rockefeller Foundation strives to catalyze and scale transformative innovations, create unlikely partnerships that span sectors, and take risks others cannot – or will not. For more information, please visit www.rockefellerfoundation.org

About the African Union Commission
The African Union Commission is the Secretariat of the African Union, a 54- Member State regional organisation. Its vision is that of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in global arena” and its mission is to be “An efficient and value-adding institution driving the African integration and development process in close collaboration with African Union Member States, the Regional Economic Communities and African citizens.” The AU Commission is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. For more information, please visit www.au.int

For more information please contact:
Habiba Mejri-cheikh, Director, Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission, Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00, Fax: (251) 11 518 2578, E-mail: HabibaM@africa-union.org, web: www.au.int

Achieng’ Otieno, Communications Officer, the Rockefeller Foundation Africa Regional Office aotieno@rockfound.org, +254 704848792.