50th OAU/AU Anniversary: AUC Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha Commends Organising Committee

Addis Ababa, 18 June 2013 – The Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Mr. Erastus Mwencha, on behalf of the Commission, on Tuesday 18 June 2013, offered a luncheon to the joint AUC-Ethiopian Steering Committee tasked with organizing the 50th anniversary of the of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) now the African Union (AU).

The AUC Deputy Chairperson who is also the Chair of the Organizing Committee (OC) for the 50th Anniversary Comemoration invited all members of the OC from the AU Commission to take part in this important luncheon in the presence of the State Minister of Foreign Affair for the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, Ato Dewano Kedir, and some Commissioners of the AUC.

Mr. Mwencha expressed appreciation for the good cooperation between the AU Commission and the Ethiopian Government that resulted to a successful commemoration of the OAU/AU Golden Jubilee. He thanked the co-Chair of the Steering Committee Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia as well as State Ministers Dewano Kedir and their collaborators in the different sectors, for their commitment during the preparatory phase of the celebration which helped to facilitate the successful implementation of the activities marking the event.

The Deputy Chairperson hoped that this good working relationship between the two parties will continue all through the year-long celebration of the Golden Jubilee and beyond.

In response, the Host Country Organizing Committee represented by State Minister Dewano Kedir, expressed gratitude to the good working relationship between the two parties and reiterated the commitment of his Government to continue working hand in hand to ensure that the yearlong planned activities of this celebration are fully implemented.