Events
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May 02, 2014The African Union strongly condemns the terrorist attack in AbujaAddis Ababa, 2 May 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, strongly condemns the terrorist and cowardly attack that took place yesterday, 2 May 2014, in the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria, killing at least 19 people and injuring 60 more. She expresses AU’s heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and Government of Nigeria, and wishes those wounded strength and speedy recovery.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU's full support to the efforts being deployed by the Government of Nigeria to prevent and combat terrorism. She calls for enhanced inter-African cooperation, within the framework of the relevant AU and international instruments, in order to more effectively address this scourge.
Furthermore, the Chairperson of the Commission expresses distress at the fact that over 200 school girls, abducted on 14 April 2014 in the northern Nigerian state of Borno, have not yet been released. She reiterates AU's solidarity with the anguished families and expresses support to the efforts being made to rescue the abducted girls and bring to justice the perpetrators of this abhorrent act. -
April 29, 2014Silencing Guns in Africa: Building a Roadmap to a Conflict-Free Continent
Durban, 29 April 2014: The African Union Commission (AUC) convened a High-Level Retreat on 28-29 April 2014 in Durban, South Africa, on the theme Silencing Guns in Africa: Building a Roadmap to a Conflict-Free Continent, with the intention of exploring concrete options towards silencing guns in Africa. The overarching objective of the Retreat was to lay a foundation for the subsequent elaboration of a Roadmap towards a conflict-free Africa.
This Retreat was convened in the spirit of the 50th Anniversary Solemn Declaration, adopted on 25 May 2013 by the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government. The Retreat took place in the aftermath of the recently concluded Open Session of the AU Peace and Security Council, which addressed itself to the same issue. Thus, this Retreat constituted part of an on-going process to coordinate efforts towards concretely living up to the commitments of the AU Assembly.
The Retreat was conducted under the leadership of the Chairperson of the AUC, H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. In her opening remarks, the Chairperson called upon the Experts in attendance to engage in frank and open discussions in order to develop concrete and innovative ideas towards silencing guns in Africa. The Chairperson noted that, “unless we silence the guns and bury the machetes, the AU vision of building an integrated, prosperous and conflict-free Africa will remain an abstract goal.”
The AU Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui, provided the context of the Retreat, as well as its expected outcome. He stressed the need for participants to bear in mind the necessity of identifying elements that will constitute the Roadmap for silencing guns in Africa.
The deliberations of the High-Level Retreat were indicative of the overarching nature of the tasks required towards building a concrete roadmap. In this context, Experts reflected on the current and on-going efforts to consolidate the growing positive trends in areas of democracy and governance, the continent’s ability to rapidly respond to conflicts and crises, as well as efforts to enhance Africa’s engagements with the rest of the world in order to derive maximum possible socio-economic benefits for all Africans. Further, the participants underlined emerging trends concerning the continent’s changing demographic profiles, broader socio-economic and environmental conditions, and their subsequent impacts on ensuring sustainable peace and ending all wars.
The participants agreed that the deliberations emerging from this High-Level Retreat should constitute the building blocks within the framework of the AUC’s ongoing efforts towards the elaboration of a concrete roadmap towards silencing all guns in Africa.
The AUC expressed its appreciation to the participation of African experts, drawn from the Regional Economic Communities, including the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), as well as from African think-tanks and civil society organizations, and representatives from multilateral partners and international organizations.
The AUC expressed its gratitude to the Government and People of South Africa for the hospitality provided, as well as to the African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (ACCORD) for its support in facilitating the Retreat.
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April 28, 2014African Union High Level Retreat sitting under the theme: Silencing the Guns in Africa: Building a Roadmap to conflict... -
April 22, 2014The African Union deeply concerned at the prevailing situation in South Sudan
Addis Ababa, 22 April 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, is deeply concerned at the continued deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan. In this respect, she strongly condemns the deliberate and criminal attack on civilians in Bentiu, Unity State, on 15 April 2014, where over 200 civilians were reportedly killed and more than 400 wounded while sheltering in a Mosque. This dastardly act was followed by another attack on civilians who were under the protection of peacekeepers in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) camp in Bor, Jonglei State, on 17 April 2014, during which over 40 people were killed and many others were wounded.
This tragedy is all the more shocking as it came amid efforts by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to facilitate the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that was signed by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A - in opposition), on 23 January 2014.The Chairperson of the Commission would like to remind both the Government and the SPLM/A (in opposition) of their responsibility to fully abide by the Agreements they signed and their obligation regarding the protection of all civilians, including those who are under the protection of the UN. She urges both parties to fully cooperate with the IGAD-led Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), in order to investigate these attacks and to bring their perpetrators to justice.
The Chairperson of the Commission strongly urges both parties to the conflict in South Sudan to take seriously the upcoming political negotiations to resolve their dispute and fully cooperate with IGAD to facilitate the early completion of the deployment of the Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs), so as to avoid such similar tragedies in the future.
Finally, the Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU’s continued support to the IGAD efforts aimed at finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict in South Sudan.
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April 15, 2014The African Union calls for renewed efforts to resolve the conflict in Western Sahara
Addis Ababa, 15 April 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the report issued by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General on the situation concerning Western Sahara, on 10 April 2014. The report covers a wide range of issues, including the consultations undertaken by the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy with the Parties to the conflict, namely the Kingdom of Morocco and the Frente Polisario, as well as with other stakeholders; the activities of the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO); and humanitarian activities and human rights.
The Chairperson of the Commission notes the recommendation made for the UN Security Council comprehensively to review the framework that it provided for the negotiating process in April 2007, should no progress occur before April 2015. She also notes the call made to all relevant actors, in light of the increased interest in the natural resources of Western Sahara, to "recognize the principle that the interests of the inhabitants... are paramount"; as well as the recognition that the end goal remains the sustained, independent and impartial monitoring of human rights.
The Chairperson of the Commission urges the UN Security Council to seize the opportunity of the consideration of the report of the Secretary-General and the adoption of its next resolution on Western Sahara, which is expected to extend the mandate of MINURSO until 30 April 2015, to give the much-needed impetus to the search for a solution to the conflict, bearing in mind that Western Sahara has been on the list of Non-Self-Governing Territories since 1963. She recalls that, in resolution 2099 (2013) of 25 April 2013, the Security Council called upon the Parties to continue negotiations under the auspices of the Secretary-General without preconditions and in good faith, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, which will provide for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara in the context of arrangements consistent with the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. It is also important that the Security Council provide MINURSO with a human rights mandate, as is the case for other UN peacekeeping operations, and address the issue of the exploitation of the Territory's natural resources, in keeping with the legal opinion issued by the UN Legal Counsel on 29 January 2002.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU's support for the efforts of the UN Security Council and those of the Secretary-General, including his Personal Envoy. It is against this background, and in line with the relevant decisions adopted by the AU Executive Council, that the Commission is taking steps to consult with a number of stakeholders, including relevant international partners, with a view to urging for renewed international efforts to facilitate the early resolution of the conflict on the basis of international legality.
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April 14, 2014The African Union strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Abuja
Addis Ababa, 14 April 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, is deeply shocked and appalled by the bomb attack that took place this morning in the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria. This attack claimed dozens of innocent lives and wounded many others.
The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns this cowardly and terrorist attack. She expresses AU’s most sincere condolences to the bereaved families and to the people and Government of Nigeria. She wishes those wounded strength and a speedy recovery.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates AU's solidarity with Nigeria and support to the efforts aimed at preventing and combating terrorism. She calls for enhanced inter-African cooperation to address this scourge, in line with the relevant African and international instruments.
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April 12, 2014The African Union welcomes the adoption of a resolution authorizing a United Nations peacekeeping operation in the...
Addis Ababa, 12 April 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the adoption, by the United Nations (UN) Security Council on 10 April 2014, of resolution 2149 (2014) authorizing the establishment of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic - CAR (MINUSCA). The transfer of authority from the African-led International Support Mission in the CAR (MISCA) to MINUSCA will take place on 15 September 2014.
Recalling the relevant provisions of the communiqué adopted by the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) on 7 March 2014, the Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the establishment of MINUSCA will mark a new step in the international community’s efforts to assist the CAR overcome the many challenges confronting it. She expresses the AU’s commitment to work jointly with the UN to ensure a seamless transition from MISCA to MINUSCA.
The Chairperson of the Commission commends the African members of the UN Security Council – A3 (Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda) for their active involvement in the elaboration of the resolution on the basis of the guidelines provided by the PSC in its communiqué of 7 March 2014 and in pursuance of the Conclusions of the Algiers Workshop of December 2013, which aim to strengthen the effectiveness of the African presence in the Security Council. The Chairperson of the Commission also notes with satisfaction the close consultations between the penholder (France) and the African side throughout the drafting of the resolution. Such consultations are in line with the relevant provisions of the communiqué on the partnership between the AU and the UN in the area of peace and security adopted by the PSC at its meeting held in New York on 23 September 2013, calling for the effective involvement of the African members of the Security Council in the drafting of the Council’s documents concerning Africa and for adequate, timeous, informal and formal consultations with the AU and its Regional Mechanisms for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution. She expresses the hope that this practice will be sustained and systematized with regard to African issues on the agenda of the Security Council.
The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that, pending the transfer of authority, MISCA will continue fully to implement its mandate as determined by the PSC in its communiqué of 19 July 2013 and the UN Security Council in resolution 2127 (2013) of 5 December 2013. In particular, MISCA, with the support of the French Operation Sangaris and the planned EUFOR-RCA, will continue to lead the ongoing efforts to complete the initial stabilization phase, building on the significant progress made on the ground, so as to create conditions conducive to the success of MINUSCA. In this respect, she reiterates the AU’s call on Member States and partners to extend the necessary support to MISCA.
At the same time, the AU, working closely with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), will intensify its efforts to strengthen and coordinate international support to the CAR Transition, through the International Contact Group on the CAR (ICG-CAR), whose role is acknowledged in resolution 2149 (2014). In coordination with the Republic of Congo, as co-Chair of the ICG-CAR, the Commission is taking the follow-up steps agreed to during the fourth meeting of the Group held in Brazzaville, on 21 March 2014, to enhance its effectiveness and support to the Transition in the CAR. The Chairperson of the Commission calls on all AU partners, including the UN, to lend the necessary support to those efforts and avoid any duplication with the creation of another international mechanism.
The Chairperson of the Commission seizes this opportunity, once again, to pay tribute to the MISCA leadership and troop and police contributing countries for their commitment and the sacrifices made in pursuit of peace, security, stability and reconciliation in the CAR. She reiterates the AU’s appreciation to the ECCAS leaders, notably Presidents Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, Chair of ECCAS, and Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, ECCAS Mediator, for their relentless efforts and pro-activeness in the search for a lasting solution to the crisis in the CAR. She stresses that the continued role of the AU and the region, through ECCAS, will be crucial for the success of the ongoing process in the CAR.
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April 09, 2014The African Union welcomes the commencement of the Sudan National Consultative Dialogue
Addis Ababa, 9 April 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the formal commencement of the Sudan National Consultative Dialogue through the convening of a National Political Parties Summit, which was chaired by President Omar Hassan al Bashir, on 6 April 2014.
The Chairperson of the Commission acknowledges that this first meeting is an important step aimed at transitioning Sudan into a new political dispensation where the issues of democracy, constitutional reform, economic stability, peaceful resolution of conflicts and diversity are effectively addressed. She recognizes the need for Sudan to undertake a comprehensive and holistic national dialogue amongst the people of Sudan and congratulates all the political parties which took part in this first meeting for their constructive and candid inputs, which will guide the national dialogue process and will help focus the work of various committees to be established.
The Chairperson of the Commission also encourages the Government of Sudan to engage in some immediate national reforms and confidence-building measures, as announced by the President of the Republic during his meeting with the leaders of the political parties, stressing that this would facilitate genuine participation of all the sectors of society in the national dialogue. She urges all the political and other stakeholders to heed the call to take part in this national process to ensure that it encompasses broad views of the Sudanese Nation and to seize this opportunity to advance the democratization agenda in their country and end the suffering of their people.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s continued commitment to assist Sudan, through the AU High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP), and calls on the international community to stand ready to support the Sudanese in the pursuit for a new political dispensation.
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April 09, 2014New non AU Member State Permanent Representatives to the African Union present letters of Credence to the AUC...Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 April, 2014: Six new Ambassadors to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representatives to the African Union presented their letters of credence to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday 9 April 2014.
The six representatives, whose countries are not member states of the African Union, in order of presentation are:
Qatar: H.H. Mr. Abdulaziz Al-Rumaihi;
Sri Lanka: H.E. Dr. Kana V Kananathan;
Uruguay: H.E. Agustin Espinosa-Lioveras;
Serbia: H.E. Mr. Dragan Mraovic;
Italy: H.E. Mr, Giuseppe Mistretta;The Permanent Representatives each discussed with Dr. Dlamini Zuma the various areas of cooperation they envisage embarking on to strengthen the relationship with the African Union. Some of the areas of cooperation include economic development, investment, agriculture and agro-processing, peace and security, tourism, mining and migration.
Following discussions the Chairperson of the AU Commission congratulated each Permanent Representative on their appointment, and pledged her availability and support during their tour of duty.
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April 09, 2014African Ombudsmen and mediators to join AU peacemaking and preventive diplomacy initiativesAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 April, 2014: Members of the African Ombudsmen and Mediators Association (AOMA) will henceforth join various African Union peacemaking and preventive diplomacy initiatives and missions. The AU Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma affirmed this engagement during an audience she granted a delegation of the AOMA, led by the Association President, Dr. Paulo Tjipilca. They met at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 9 April 2014.
The delegation paid a courtesy visit to the AUC Chairperson as well as to present the letter of credence to the Union, of its new Permanent Representative to the African Union and Chief Ombudsman of Ethiopia, Mrs. Fozia Amin.
Following a brief presentation of the association and its membership, Dr. Paulo Tjipilca expressed the association’s interest in integrating into the structures of the AU, being present and participating in its activities, including those of the AU Panel of the Wise.
AOMA and the AU Commission had in 2011, signed a memorandum of understanding in which they agreed to promote the strategic priorities of the AUC in the realms of democracy, good governance, promoting and protecting human rights, transparency and administrative justice, elections observation and peace and security.
Appreciating the important role of the AU in the continent and around the world, including the compelling vision of developing Agenda 2063, and the inspirational “E-mail from the Future,” the Association did not want to feel left out. Its president promised to provide the list of its members for consideration in various high level missions and initiatives.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma expressed delight in welcoming the delegation to Addis Ababa, and to work with the association in various areas. “Being their last line of defense, our citizens expect you to fully promote and protect their right,” she concluded.
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April 09, 2014New African Member States Permanent Representatives present letters of Credence to the AUC ChairpersonAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 9 April, 2014: Three new AU member states’ Ambassadors to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representatives to the African Union on Wednesday 9 April 2014, presented their letters credence to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The three newly accredited Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives of Member States are from Kenya, Swaziland and Eritrea. H.E. Amb. Catherine Muigai Mwangi is the new Kenyan Permanent Representative to the AU. As she presented her letter of credence, Ambassador Mwangi expressed her honour in moving to the centre of African diplomacy. She recognized the role that the AU plays on critical issues in Kenya, citing the case of the ICC, as well as having Kenya host very important institutions of the Union. She assured the Chairperson of the same level of commitment and participation that the Kenya has always had in the Union.
H.E. Ambassador Promise S. Msibi presented his letter as Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Swaziland to the AU. Presenting his letter, he conveyed the King’s fullest support of the leadership of the Chairperson, and also re-echoed his earlier call and support for the Chairperson to push for alternative sources of funding.
H.E. Amb. Araya Desta from the State of Eritrea was the third Ambassador in line to present to the Chairperson his letter of credence as Permanent Representative to the AU. He reported that Eritrea was doing well with its economy and making great strides in areas such as education in the Millennium Development Goals. He said though there were some challenges, progress is being made in his country.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission, Dr. Dlamini Zuma congratulated each Permanent Representative on their appointment, expressing her availability to support them in their work during their time with the African Union.
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April 08, 2014Meet ETV interview with the Chairperson-ISSUES