Press Release Nº063/2013

UNOAU Head presents farewell to AUC Chairperson

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: 10 June, 2013: The Head of the United Nations Office in the African Union (UNOAU), H.E. Zachary Muburi-Muita has presented his farewell to the African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, after his three-year tour of duty during which he established the UNOAU.

Taking the opportunity of his goodbye, H.E. Muburi-Muita briefed the Chairperson of the activities of the UNOAU, which basically liaises with the UN system on issues of peace and security. The Head of the UNOAU co-chairs the peace and security cluster of the Regional Coordination Mechanism in Africa, with the AU Commissioner for Peace and Security. With the strategic partnership between the UN and AU, officers of both institutions are embedded within AU workspaces. They jointly plan and implement specific projects such as the AU Mission in Somalia, the AU-UN Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the Lord Resistance Army, the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA), now transformed to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

The outgoing UNOAU Head recalled the ongoing review process aimed at enhancing the partnership. He invited the Chairperson to take the opportunity to share her thoughts on how the strategic partnership could contribute to achieving her continental vision.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma gave her assurance of the AU’s participation in the assessment process. She noted that the UN and the AU have come a long way, recalling the days when the two jointly pondered on how to tack challenging situations like that in Darfur. While expressing the hope of getting fewer crises, Dr. Dlamini Zuma remarked that a practical test of this enhanced strategic partnership would be in the delivery of results in Mali.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma thanked H.E. Muburi-Muita for the briefing, his contribution to peace and security in the continent. She wished him the very best in his future engagements.

H.E. Muburi-Muita’s duty ends on 30 June. He will be replaced by H.E. Haile Menkerios of South Africa as the new Head of the UNOAU and Special Representative to the African Union at the level of Under-Secretary-General. H.E. Menkerios commences 1 July, 2013.