Addis Ababa, 8 April 2015: As part of the African Union (AU) continued efforts to maintain an effective presence on the ground and support efforts aimed at promoting peace, security and stability on the continent, the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has made the following appointments:

- Brigadier General Sara Thomas Rwambali (Tanzania), Special Representative and Head of the AU Liaison Office in South Sudan, with residence in Juba;

- Madame Josephine-Charlotte Mayuma Kala (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Special Representative and Head of the AU Liaison Office in Côte d’Ivoire, with residence in Abidjan;

- Madame Zaina Nyiramatama (Rwanda), Head of AU Liaison Office in Chad, with residence in Ndjamena; and

- Dr. Arvin Boolel (Mauritius), Special Representative for the Great Lakes Region and Head of the AU Liaison Office in Burundi, with residence in Bujumbura.

The Chairperson extends her warm congratulations to the distinguished appointees who are all highly accomplished public servants with a wealth of experience in the area of peace and security. “It is no coincidence that three of the four newly appointed personalities are women, in this year, 2015, when the AU’s thematic focus is “Women’s Empowerment”. I am confident that the AU and Africa will benefit from their rich professional experience and leadership abilities,” the Chairperson stated.

The Chairperson calls on all stakeholders to extend full cooperation to the new appointees, to enable them to successfully discharge their demanding duties, in the best interest of the continent. She pays tribute to the outgoing Special Representatives and Head of Liaison Offices, for their outstanding work and contribution to the promotion and implementation of the AU peace and security agenda.