22 November 2019, Addis Abeba: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat concluded a two-day working visit to the Republic of South Africa today.

Accompanied by Dr Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, CEO of AUDA-Nepad and other senior officials, the Chairperson held discussions with President Cyril Ramaphosa, Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor, Finance Minister Tito Mboweni and senior officials from the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).

The two leaders and their teams held discussions to discuss the strategic priorities of South Africa ahead of the country’s assumption as Chair of the African Union in 2020.

President Ramaphosa emphasised his commitment to deepen engagement regarding unresolved conflicts on the Continent, including Libya, as part of South Africa’s desire to accelerate action to Silence the Guns by 2020. President Ramaphose also reaffirmed South Africa’s support to the to African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and the critical role that infrastructure development should play in making the AfCFTA a reality.

He also commended the benchmarks already achieved in the AU institutional and financial reforms process currently underway, and resolved to ensure continued action to implement the Reforms agenda.

For his part, the Chairperson of the Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat noted the importance of the upcoming presidency of South Africa to head the Union in 2020, and reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission and to support South Africa in preparing for this crucial role to push ahead with promoting the continental agenda.

The Chairperson noted that the Continent looked forward to benefitting from the leadership of President Ramaphosa and his background as a union leader, businessman, mediator and now leader of one of the most important countries on the Continent.

The presidency of the Union is currently under the leadership of HE President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, president of the Arab Republic of Egypt.