Events
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September 21, 2014
AU Commission Chairperson and UN Secretary General on African issues ahead of 69th UN General Assembly
New York, USA 21 September 2014 – African Union Commission Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met on Sunday 21 September 2014, to discuss critical issues on Africa ahead of the opening of the 69th session of the UN General Assembly in New York, United States.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma and Mr. Ban Ki-moon will co-chair a number of sessions including those on climate change, Special Summit on Somalia, and a review session of the Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework of the Great Lakes, amongst others
They discussed the need to enhance finance and mobilisation of medical personnel needed to step-up the fight against Ebola virus disease affecting Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. They agreed to coordinate the various initiatives and also to increase awareness-raising efforts to address the psychological challenges and misperceptions around the disease.
Together with UNSG, World Bank Group and African Development Bank Presidents, the AUC will continue joint visits similar to that carried out in the Sahel region.
Climate change and elections in Africa were also discussed as well as the specific situations in South Sudan, Guinea Bissau, Libya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. JEE/wzm
Media Contact:
Jacob Enoh Eben, Spokesperson of the Chairperson African Union Commission
Email: EnohebenJ@africa-union.org; Cell: +1 202 751 8517 -
September 20, 2014
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 20 September 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma arrived in New York, United States on 20 September 2014 heading the African Union Commission delegation to attend the 69th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 20 to 25, 2014.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma was welcomed at the JFK International airport by H.E Ambassador Antonio Tete, AU’s Permament Representative to the United Nations.
The central theme for this year’s UN General Assembly meeting is “Implementing a transformative post-2015 Agenda.” Questions of development will remain at the heart of the discussions during this session, though a number of high level meetings are will be taking place in the sidelines.
The AUC Chairperson will attend the special Summit on Climate change convened by the UN Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-moon; a Special Summit on terrorism; the World Conference on Indigenous People; the fourth High Level Meeting of the regional oversight Mechanism for Peace, Security and Cooperation Framewor; and other high level meetings.
A session will be dedicated to discussing the Ebola Virus Disease currently affecting at least three countries of the West African sub-region. The Chairperson of the African Union Commission will address the gathering providing updates of the situation, what the AU has done and what it is currently doing to halt the spread of the disease. The session will also be addressed by delegations from the affected countries.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma and the AUC delegation will also participate in other important gatherings including: the 2nd Japan-Africa Regional Economic Communities Summit roundtable; Africa-South America Partnerhsips; Coordination Committee of the Africa-Arab Partnersship; and Political Consultations between Chinese and African Foreign Ministers (FOCAC), amongst others.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma will on Sunday 21 September 2014 meet with UN Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-Moon at UN Headquarters to discuss issues of peace and security, with some focus on the Ebola virus disease and the recent re-hatting of the AU peacekeepers in Bangui, Central African Republic.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma is also expected to hold a series of other bilateral meetings in the margins of the UN General Assembly meeting.
The AU Commission delegation is composed of the Deputy Chairperson, the Commissioner for Peace and Secuirty; the Commissioners for Political Affairs; Commissioner for Economic Affairs, the Commissioner for Human Resources, Science and Technology; the Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture, as well as the Chief of Staff, Advisors and officers. JEE/wzm
Media Contact:
Jacob Enoh Eben,
Spokesperson of the Chairperson
African Union Commission
Email: EnohebenJ@africa-union.org
Cell: +1 202 751 8517 -
September 19, 2014
AUC and CAF to strengthen collaboration
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 19 September, 2014: “The relations between the African Union and CAF are historical and important for the entire continent. Our two institutions share common Pan African values, as exemplified by the role that CAF played in the liberation struggle of Africa, in the development of the human potential of Africa through sport and increasingly in the promotion of peace and security.”
African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma contextualised the AU-CAF relationship as she addressed delegates gathered at the opening of the annual meeting of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during which the Committee were to pick the host countries for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals for 2019 and 2021.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma said Africa was at a cross-road of challenges such the Ebola virus, terrorism and security, but most importantly economic growth opportunities that the continent must sustain in order to develop further. She cited human capital investment especially in women and youth, transforming and modernizing agriculture, agro-processing, and extractive industry in order to create jobs and ensure inclusive growth on the continent. She also said Africa has “to make decisive progress on the infrastructure backlogs: energy, transport, ICT, water and sanitation, and other social infrastructure.”
The AUC Chairperson praised CAF for its role in fostering continental integration and promoting Pan-Africanism through the development of African football amongst the youth and various communities. She reiterated her earlier call to CAF President Issa Hayatou for Africa to win the world cup in the coming decades. “An African team must win the World Cup, in addition to hosting it again. We talk about Africa rising, we also want to see our football and sports as rising,” she added.
“The ambitions of the AU and CAF to unite and bring pride to the African continent have always been identical,” CAF President Mr. Issa Hayatou noted in his address to the executive committee, while appreciating the AU for always accommodating CAF’s activities. He promised to continue to support initiatives of the AU to promote social change in Africa.
Since 2010, CAF has been supporting the AU’s activities to bring about social change, such as promoting the culture of peace and the Make Peace Happen campaign. CAF supported the AU in providing humanitarian assistance during crises times in Somalia. During their meeting the meeting with the AUC Chairperson, CAF President promised to support the AU efforts in fighting the Ebola disease outbreak in West Africa, as well as contributing to other issues of continental concern raised by Dr. Dlamini Zuma.
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September 18, 2014
“Africa must win FIFA World Cup by 2063” – Dr. Dlamini Zuma to Issa Hayatou
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 18 September, 2014: “By 2063 Africa should have won the FIFA World Cup at least once: not just host, but won”, African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said to Mr. Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) when they met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 18 September 2014.
The CAF President paid a courtesy call on the AUC Chairperson ahead of CAF’s annual Executive Committee meeting holding at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mr. Hayatou thanked the AUC Chairperson for hosting the meeting during which CAF will decide on the host nations for AFCON 2019 and 2021.
Having attracted massive attendance from national delegations including very high level representatives from the five countries vying to host, the AU has become both Africa’s political and football capital during these days, Mr. Hayatou said.
“CAF has a special place not only in the AU, but also in the continent. The organization enables our young people to do sports, while demonstrating their great talents. Most importantly the games embody enormous capacity to enhance our integration and social cohesion”, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said while welcoming the CAF President and his delegation to feel at home at the AU headquarters.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma took the opportunity of the meeting to brief CAF on Africa’s development and transformation agenda. Focusing on Agenda 2063, she invited CAF, like many others have been doing, to also reflect and contribute its ideas on the Africa it would like to see in 2063.
Teasing out some popular aspirations emerging from national consultations in contribution to Agenda 2063, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said the youths would like to have common African curricula so that they can study and work anywhere on the continent; The businesspeople would like to have an African passport to freely travel around the continent without the hurdles of applying for visas; the women would like to have more access to land and modern inputs to carry out agricultural activities. Dr. Dlamini Zuma also said Africa would like to connect its capitals with high speed trains, provide broadband connections to every village, build modern transport infrastructure; make renewable energy abundantly available and more.
The AUC Chairperson and CAF President also discussed the situation of the Ebola epidemic as well as other issues of development and peace that the continent is currently faced with.
“Listening to you and hearing your thoughts, we know Africa is in good hands. Africa is on the right path. I can assure you of CAF’s presence and support in dealing with all these key continental issues”, the CAF President said, while re-assuring the AUC Chairperson that Africa is doing everything possible to not only continue hosting the World Cup, but to also win it even before 2063.
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September 18, 2014
Addis Ababa, 18 September 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosozana Dlamini Zuma, welcomes the positive steps recently taken by the Government of Sudan towards creating conducive conditions for the holding of the National Dialogue announced by President Omar Hassan Al Bashir in January 2014.
In this respect, the Chairperson of the Commission notes with satisfaction the release of Professor Ibrahim Al-Sheikh, the leader of the Sudan Congress Party, and seven of his party’s members, as well as the release of Dr. Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi, the Deputy President of the National UMMA Party. She stresses that these important steps are in line with the Agreement on the National Dialogue and Constitutional Process, signed by the representatives of the National Dialogue Committee of the 7+7 and the Paris Declaration Group, as well as the communiqué of the 456th meeting of the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) of 12 September 2014. She encourages the Government to continue in the same stride and take further measures to ensure transparency in the National Dialogue process.
The Chairperson echoes the appeal made by the AU PSC to the international community, to fully play the role expected of it, in support of the National Dialogue and the people of Sudan, including by extending the necessary economic and financial assistance to help stabilize the economy of the country.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s continued commitment to assist Sudan, through the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), in its pursuit for a genuine democratic transformation. It should be recalled that, on 10 September 2014, the Chairperson of the AUHIP, former President Thabo Mbeki, met with President Al-Bashir to discuss issues relating to the National Dialogue and ways through which the AU can continue to support the efforts being made by the Sudanese stakeholders.
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September 05, 2014
Addis Ababa, 5 September 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the Aagreement reached between the G7+7 High Committee of the National Dialogue and the Paris Declaration Group on their participation in the National Dialogue and Constitutional Process in Sudan. This Agreement followed extensive consultations facilitated by the AU High-Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) for Sudan and South Sudan and which started in Addis Ababa, on 24 August 2014.
The Chairperson of the Commission notes with satisfaction the constructive exchanges that the Sudanese stakeholders had on a number of issues that are crucial for the future of Sudan, including the peaceful resolution of the ongoing conflicts in Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile; arrangement for cessation of hostilities; addressing the humanitarian situation; the protection of rights and freedoms; release of political detainees; and inclusivity in the National Dialogue. She encourages the parties to build on this achievement to create conditions conducive for the successful holding of the National Dialogue
The Chairperson of the Commission commends the Sudanese parties for this important step in the efforts aimed at addressing the numerous challenges facing Sudan. In this respect, she acknowledges positive response received by the leadership from the Paris Declaration Group, which includes the National UMMA Party, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), the Sudan Liberation Army-AW (SLA-AW), Sudan Liberation Army -Minni Minawi (SLA-MM), Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), to participate in this very important meeting. She also underscores the important contribution of the representatives of the G7+7, namely Mr. Ahmed Saad Omer and Dr. Ghazi Salahuddin Al Atabani who participated in open discussions with the group.
The Chairperson of the Commission also commends the Chairperson of the AUHIP, former President Thabo Mbeki, and General Abdusalami Abubakar, member of the Panel, as well as the team of experts supporting it, for their continued commitment and support to the Sudanese parties in their quest for lasting peace, security, reconciliation and democracy in their country.
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September 03, 2014
New South Sudan Permanent Representative presents letter of credence to the AU Commission Chairperson
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 3 September, 2014: Newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union, H.E. Akuei Bona Malwal, on Wednesday, 3 September 2014 presented his letter of credence to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.
Ambassador Bona Malwal took the opportunity to brief the AUC Chairperson on the current peace and security situation in South Sudan, which he hoped would soon be resolved for normalcy to return. He also delivered a message from his government, urging the AU to upgrade its office in South Sudan into a full office, to enable it to provide the much needed support in upcoming critical events such as elections.
Concurring with the Ambassador on the need for urgent return to normalcy, Dr. Dlamini Zuma pledged the AU’s continued support to ensure that sustainable peace is achieved. She promised that the request to upgrade the AU would be responded to accordingly. She congratulated the Ambassador for his appointment and wished him a tour of duty that would be constructive and useful both to Ethiopia and the AU.
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September 02, 2014
PRESSE RELEASE NO. 197/2014
Senegaleese Ambassador Bids Farewell to the AUC Chairperson
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2 September 2014 - Outgoing Ambassador of the Republic of Senegal, Mr. Bassirou Sene, today Tuesday 2 September 2014, paid a farewell courtesy call on the African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, after serving his term as Permanent Representative to the African Union in Addis Ababa, since August 2010.Ambassador Sene expressed his and his government’s appreciation of the “prodigious” work undertaken by Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma since her election as the first woman Chairperson of the AU Commission, to transform Africa and speed up its integration. “You are the right person in the right place”, said the outgoing ambassador, while commending the AUC Chairperson for her strong belief in the continental organization, and also for the immense efforts she is assuming in the interests of African people. “I’m confident that with you, it will go far”, said Ambassador Sene.
Dr Dlamini Zuma thanked Ambassador Sene for his dynamic participation and valuable contributions at meetings of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and stressed that Africa does not have a choice but to integrate. “We need committed leadership to achieve our goals”, commented the AUC Chairperson.
The Chairperson wished the ambassador full success in his future endeavours in Geneva, and expressed gratitude to Senegal, which she described as “one of the strongest spearheaders of African Integration”.
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August 30, 2014
Addis Ababa, 30 August 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, is following with deep concern the ongoing developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the deteriorating political situation in the country.
The Chairperson of the Commission urges the various parties in Lesotho to resolve their political differences through peaceful means and within the framework of the country’s Constitution. In line with the relevant African instruments, she emphasizes the AU's firm rejection of unconstitutional changes of Government and warns that the AU will not tolerate any seizure of power by illegal means.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses AU's full support to the ongoing efforts of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to assist the Lesotho stakeholders address the challenges currently facing their country and preserve democracy and the rule of law.
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August 29, 2014
PRESSE RELEASE NO. 196 / 2014
AU COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON RECEIVES LETTER OF CREDENCE OF
H.E. MR. ANDREAS GAARDER, AMBASSADOR OF NORWAYAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28 August 2014- The African Union Commission Chairperson, Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma received copies of the credentials of the newly appointed ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway to the African Union Commission, Mr. Andreas Gaarder today.
Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma welcomed the ambassador and noted the longstanding relationship between the African Union and Kingdom of Norway in socio-economic and political areas.
Her Excellency appreciated Norway’s development co-operation with the African Union and stressed the latter’s efforts to build a climate-resilient economy by investing in environmental protection and renewable energy including hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal energy sources.
The Chairperson also highlighted that there is still more that can be done, further indicating that she is looking forward for more cooperation between the African Union Commission and the Kingdom of Norway.For further information contact:
Mr. Gamal Ahmed A. Karrar| Directorate of Information and Communication AUC| E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.orgContact us at the:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission |E-mail : dinfo@africa-union.org
Web Site: www.au.int |Addis-Ababa | Ethiopia
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August 28, 2014
PRESSE RELEASE NO. 194 / 2014
AU COMMISSION CHAIRPERSON RECEIVES TWO NEW AMBASSADORS ACCREDITED TO THE AFRICAN UNION
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2014- The African Union Commission has reiterated its determination to assist affected countries in fighting the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) that has so far killed nearly 1500 people in West Africa.African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma assured the new Ambassador of Sierra Leone Mr. Osman Keh Kamara that the continental organization is seized with the matter of the outbreak, its consequences and the responses to it. She acknowledged the challenges being faced by Sierra Leone and other affected countries as they deal with the disease outbreak as well as its consequences. “Our thoughts are with the people of Sierra Leonne and other affected countries”, she said
The discussion between the two leaders took place as Ambassador Kamara was at the AU headquarters to present the letters accrediting him as his country’s Permanent Representative to the AU.
Sierra Leone’s new Ambassador to the AU commended the African Union for its timely contribution to augment his government’s efforts to combat the EVD. As part of those efforts, the AU’s Peace and Security Council last week authorised the immediate deployment of a joint AU-led military and civilian humanitarian mission to tackle the emergency situation caused by the Ebola outbreak and to ensure that Ebola is brought under control. The mission will comprise medical doctors, nurses and other medical and paramedical personnel. The operation is expected to run for six months with monthly rotation of volunteers. The operation will cost more than USD25 million and the US government and partners have pledged to support the African Union with a substantial part of this amount.
Ambassador Kamara also decried the closing of borders and stoppage of air services into affected countries, saying this would hamper the continent’s integration efforts. He urged dialogue on the issue.
The AU Commission Chairperson also met the new Ambassador of the Russian Federation H.E. Mr. Vsevolod I. Tkachenko who presented his letters of credence. She acknowledged the good cooperation that has been ongoing between the Russian Federation and the African Union. The Chairperson highlighted that there is still more that can be done, further indicating that she looked forward to the impending visit of Russia’s Foreign Minister Mr Sergey Lavrov in September.
Mr. Tkachenko pledged to do his utmost to fast track cooperation between the Russian Federation and the AU, adding that the Foreign Minister’s visit will help to assess the status of cooperation as well as discuss the way forward.
“We have a big agenda ahead of us”, he saidFor further information contact:
Mrs Wynne Musabayana| Deputy Head of Communication and Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication AUC| E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.orgContact us at the:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission |E-mail : dinfo@africa-union.org
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August 27, 2014
RWANDESE AND ZIMBABWEAN AMBASSADORS BID FAREWELL TO THE AFRICAN UNION
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 August 2014- Two outgoing African ambassadors today bade farewell to the African Union after serving their terms as Permanent Representatives to the Union.
Prof. Joseph Nsengimana, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda and Dr. Andrew Hama Mtetwa, Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe paid their farewell courtesy calls on the Chairperson of the AU Commission Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma at the Union’s headquarters in Addis Ababa today. Prof Nsengimana expressed his and his government’s appreciation of the election of Dr Dlamini Zuma as the first woman Chairperson of the AU Commission and commended her for the support she has extended to him during his tenure as ambassador.
Dr Dlamini Zuma thanked Prof Nsengimana for his active participation and contributions at meetings of the Permanent Representatives Committee (PRC) and remarked on the cooperation that has been extended to the AU by the Rwandese government, especially the full support pledged by President Paul Kagame.
In her meeting with Dr Andrew Mtetwa of Zimbabwe, Dr Dlamini Zuma expressed her appreciation for his active role within the structures of the AU. She wished Zimbabwe success as it leads the regional economic community SADC (Southern African Development Community). Zimbabwe assumed leadership of SADC at the regional bloc’s ordinary summit held in Victoria Falls earlier this month.
Ambassador Mtetwa, who announced that he has now retired from his country’s foreign service, commended the Chairperson for the work she has embarked on since her appointment. He also announced that he is likely to continue sharing his expertise in African development through teaching.
Both the ambassadors were presented with tokens of appreciation for the time they have spent in Addis Ababa, serving the interests of the continent. The Chairperson wished the ambassadors success in their future endeavours, with the outgoing Rwandese ambassador declaring “I am African”, the slogan by which the AU seeks to promote African ownership of, and sense of belonging to the continental organisation.
For further information contact:
Mrs Wynne Musabayana| Deputy Head of Communication and Information Division | Directorate of Information and Communication AUC| E-mail: MusabayanaW@africa-union.orgContact us at the:
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission |E-mail : dinfo@africa-union.org
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