Addis Ababa, 27 November 2015: The Department of Political Affairs (DPA) of the African Union Commission received today Young Leaders from the Youth Leadership Training Programme organized by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During the visit to the DPA the group of young leaders received background information on the history of the OAU and the AU. The young leaders also received information on the mandate of the African Union Commission in general and DPA in particular.

Speaking on behalf of H.E. Dr. Aisha L. Abduallahi, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Ambassador Salah Hammad indicated that “the OAU’s main objectives, as set out in the OAU Charter, were to promote the unity and solidarity of African states; coordinate and intensify their cooperation and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa; safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States; rid the continent of colonisation and apartheid; promote international cooperation within the United Nations framework; and harmonise members’ political, diplomatic, economic, educational, cultural, health, welfare, scientific, technical and defense policies”.

Ambassador Hammad further added that “the vision for the Union is to build on the OAU’s work by establishing a body that could accelerate the process of integration in Africa and support the empowerment of African states in the global economy by addressing the multifaceted social, economic and political problems facing the continent”.

Mr. John I. Gbodi, Political Officer within the DPA stated that “the mandate of the department “is to contribute to the emergence of a political environment, within and among African countries, as well as at the international level that is conducive to bringing about sustainable development and accelerating the economic integration of the continent. To that effect, the department plays a prominent role in promoting, facilitating, coordinating and encouraging democratic principles and the rule of law, respect of Human Rights, the participation of the civil society in the development process of the continent, and the achievement of durable solutions for addressing humanitarian crisis”.

The group of young leaders received intensive information on the structure of the African Union and its Commission, Organs and Institutions.

For further information please contact:

Mr. Yusuf Mohammed I Office of the Commissioner for Political AffairsIMohammedy@africa-union.orgI Tel: +251-11-551 77 00

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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