Events

Washington, DC, USA - 6 August 2014: United States President Barack Obama announced a $37 billion investment in Africa, and another $110 million annual support to African Union peacekeeping efforts, at the end of the premier US-Africa Leaders’ Summit held in Washington DC, United States of America from 4-6 August 2014.

Among other announcements, the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) will be renewed with more products included; over 60 million African homes to be lighted through to the Power African Initiative, and an African Centre for Disease Control (CDC) will be established in collaboration with the African Union.

Speaking at a press conference following the end of the Summit, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, AU Commission Chairperson thanked President Obama for hosting the historic Summit, and for the announcements made that will further strengthen the relationship between Africa and the US.

“It was a very successful summit with frank discussions among the leaders. We commend President Obama’s leadership and commitment as well as of his Administration to the deepening of US-Africa partnership. This summit is an important milestone in the longstanding relationship between U.S. and Africa.” She said.

For three days the leaders from Government, civil society and private sector of both sides engaged in discussions on taking the partnership to a new level based on mutual respect and shared interests.

“Africa looks forward to doing business with American companies, not because we need aid or assistance, but because it makes business sense to invest in Africa.” Dr. Dlamini Zuma assured highlighting the potentials in the continent, adding that, “if America business do not hasten to invest, others will, because it makes sense to do so.”

The AUC Chairperson said the summit was held at a very opportune moment, when Africa is conceiving its Agenda 2063, the future it wants in the next 50 years. The content of the high level dialogue was in line with the Common African Position on Post-2015 Development agenda, and the aspirations of the African people clearly emerging from consultations.

The leaders examined how to work together to advance trade and investment relations, particularly in infrastructure and energy, transforming African economies and integrating the global value chains. The importance of quality and timely service delivery was emphasized.

Regional integration, it was agreed, must be accelerated not just as social imperative, but as economic necessity. President Obama pledged to support continental integration initiatives, while contributing to building capacity to facilitate intra-continental trade, as well as negotiating contractual agreements with investors, to enhance beneficiation from local resource exploitation.

During the dialogue with almost 50 African leaders in attendance, they articulated in unison the support to curb the illicit financial flows from Africa. Mechanisms will be established to build the capacities of African States to monitor and limit the illicit flow of funds through tax evasion and other unacceptable methods.

The leaders focused on systemic security challenges and threats, and how to address them more effectively at the regional and continental levels. They agreed to enhance regional cooperation, crisis prevention and support to African early warning mechanisms. The US will assist countries that have already indicated their willingness to form part of the rapid deployment capacities, and peacekeeping. President Obama announced an annual contribution of $110 million to support the African Union’s peacekeeping initiatives in countries like Somalia and the Central African Republic. The US will also support capacity development to build strong and professional security forces.

Investing in women and youth is a continental agenda that was fully embraced by the US administration. Ahead of the conference about 500 youths had been invited to participate in the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI). Supporting the empowerment of youth and women will remain central as the leaders look toward “Investing in the next generation,” as was the main theme of the Summit.

As this maiden summit drew to a close, it was unclear when the next Summit will take place. However, President Barack Obama voiced his encouragement for his successor to continue with this initiative, which he described as a “critical part of our work going forward.”

Addis Ababa, 1 August 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, urges the Member States to sign and ratify, as soon as possible, the AU Convention on Cross-Border Cooperation. Also known as the Niamey Convention, this instrument was adopted by the 23rd Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government, held in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, on 26 and 27 June 2014.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses the importance of the early entry into force and effective implementation of the Niamey Convention, which is an important component of the AU Border Programme (AUBP), launched in 2007 and whose two overall objectives are the structural prevention of conflicts and the deepening of integration on the continent. She recalls that the Niamey Convention seeks, in particular, to develop and strengthen good neighborly relations between border communities, territorial administrations, bodies and authorities in two or more States, including through the conclusion of specific agreements and arrangements to this end.

The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the commitment of the Commission to support the efforts of Member States to give full effect to the provisions of the Convention, once it has entered into force. In this regard, particular attention will be paid to the operationalization of the Continental Border Consultative Committee, comprising representatives of the Regional Economic Communities, and tasked, under the auspices of the Commission, to promote cross-border cooperation, as well as of the AUBP Fund, which will be financed through voluntary contributions from Member States and other miscellaneous revenue

Togo's AU Permanent Rep bids farewell

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 30 July, 2014: The tenure of office of Mrs. Kouvahe Amoko Holadem, Togo's Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Permanent Representative to the AU has come to an end. She paid a courtesy call to bid farewell to the AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

In her farewell remarks, the outgoing Togolese Representative expressed her appreciation in leadership of the Commission since the Chairperson took over affairs.

On her part, Dr. Dlamini Zuma thanked Amb. Amoko Holadem for working hard to promote the objectives of the Union. "Only mountains don't meet. We'll meet again." She assured her as she bid goodbye.

Bulgaria, Francophonie, UNICEF and Pakistan Reps present letters of credence

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 30 July, 2014: Four newly appointed Ambassadors and Chargé to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representatives to the African Union have presented their letters of credence to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Bulgaria
Congratulating and welcoming the Chargé d'Affaires of the Republic of Bulgaria, H.E. Dragavest Garanov, to Africa, Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed the hope that he will find it most useful in his career. Being posted to Addis Ababa, and to Africa for the first time, Amb. Garanov pledged his best to better understand the AU in order to contribute to strengthening the relationship between the AU and Bulgaria, as well as promoting the relationship between the EU and Africa.

La Francophonie
H.E. Malik Sarr is the new Permanent Representative of the "Organisation Internationale pour la Francophonie." He presented his letter of Credence, highlighting the interest of his Organisation to strengthen collaboration with the AU in the areas of education, agriculture, conflict management and political cooperation. He extended an invitation from President Abdou Diof, President of the OIF to have the AUC Chairperson attend the next Francophonie Summit scheduled for Dakar during which he will stand down, allowing place for the new President who will be elected.

UNICEF
"UNICEF is an organsiation that is close to all our hearts." Dr. Dlamini Zuma greeted Dr. Iyorlumum Uhaa, UNICEF's newly appointed Representative to the AU and the UNECA. Presenting his letter of Credence, Dr. Uhaa echoed UNICEF's commitment to make sure that the next generation of African children will grow healthily, be well educated and fully able to contribute to Africa's growth and prosperity.

A strong advocate against child marriage, Dr. Dlamini Zuma emphasized that "If we do everything to get the girls to school, and keep them at school, it is the best strategy to fight against child marriage. Parents should know this." The AUC said to the new UNICEF representative.

Pakistan
Presenting his letter of Credence to the AUC Chairperson, H.E. Imram Yawar, Ambassador designate of Pakistan to Ethiopia expressed his delight for the opportunity to work with Africa, which he described as "having an important role to play in global politics. For thesis reason, he said, his country's foreign policy is geared toward improving relationship with Africa.

Welcoming Amb. Imram Yawar, Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed appreciation of Pakistan's cooperation with AU Member States, particularly in the areas of peacekeeping, diplomacy, banking and finance. She hoped he will find it gratifying working with the AU.

Addis Ababa, 24 July 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the successful conclusion of the first phase of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue, marked by the signing, today, in Algiers, by all the Parties involved in the negotiation process, of a Consensual Roadmap and a Declaration of Cessation of Hostilities. She stresses that this successful outcome of the initial phase of the negotiations, which took place from 16 to 24 July 2014 and in which the AU was represented by its High Representative for Mali and the Sahel, accompanied by a team of experts, bodes well for the continuation of the inclusive inter-Malian dialogue.

The Chairperson of the Commission urges the Malian Parties to seize the opportunity arising from this significant progress to find a negotiated and consensual solution to the current crisis, on the basis of the respect of the sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and the secular nature of the Republic of Mali. She reiterates the need for the Parties to do everything possible to maintain the climate of mutual confidence which is necessary for achieving a definite end to all hostilities, as well as for the continuation and successful completion of the negotiations.

The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the decision taken by all the Parties to launch the second phase of the negotiations from 17 August to 11 September 2014, in Algiers, under the auspices of the Algerian Mediation, in coordination with the AU, the United Nations (UN) the Mediation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU) and the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and with the accompaniment of the countries of the region (Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Niger and Chad).

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s full support to the efforts of the Algerian Government, under the auspices of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, in assisting the Malian stakeholders to successfully overcome the challenges facing their country. The AU, which welcomes the sustained engagement of the international partners in support of the ongoing process, will continue to lend its active support to the negotiation.