Promoting Africa’s growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation and integration of African states.
Promoting Africa’s growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation and integration of African states.
Agenda 2063 is the blueprint and master plan for transforming Africa into the global powerhouse of the future. It is the strategic framework for delivering on Africa’s goal for inclusive and sustainable development and is a concrete manifestation of the pan-African drive for unity, self-determination, freedom, progress and collective prosperity pursued under Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.
H.E President William Samoei Ruto (PhD), President of the Republic of Kenya and the African Union Champion on Institutional Reform. H.E. Ruto was appointed during the 37th Assembly of Heads of State and Government in February 2024 to champion the AU Institutional Reform process taking over from the H.E Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda who led the implementation of the reform process since 2016.
The AU offers exciting opportunities to get involved in determining continental policies and implementing development programmes that impact the lives of African citizens everywhere. Find out more by visiting the links on right.
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Opening Statement delivered by Mr Jalel Chelba, Division of Civil Society to Civil Society Organizations in Gabon at the ECOSOCC Sensitization and Motivation Campaign held in Libreville, Gabon
STATEMENT BY THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE AFRICAN UNION COMMISSION (AUC)
H.E DR. NKOSAZANA DLAMIN ZUMA, DURING THE EXECUTIVE AND STANDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS OF THE CONFDERATION OF AFRICAN FOOTBALL (CAF),
19 SEPTEMBER, 2014, AT 14:00 PM
AUC HEADQUATERS, ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
H.E Dr. Issa Hayatou, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF)
Distinguished Members of the CAF Executive Committee and Standing Committees
Excellencies, Members of the Permanent Representative Council of the AU and of the
Excellencies, representatives from the Diplomatic Corps and International Organisations
Invited Guests,
Representatives from the media,
Ladies and gentlemen
On behalf of the African Union Commission, we are honoured to host the CAF Executive Committee and Standing Committee meetings and warmly welcome you to the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. We hope it will help to further strengthen the relations between our two African institutions.
The relations between the African Union and CAF are historical and important for the entire continent. Our two institutions share common Pan African values, as exemplified by the role that CAF played in the liberation struggle of Africa, in the development of the human potential of Africa through sport and increasingly in the promotion of peace and security.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
CAF and the AU are deeply aware that the common prosperity of the continent and its citizens, are critical to our agenda for peace and human security. Africa is at a point where it faces new and old challenges, like the Ebola crisis, the threat of terrorism and conflicts. At the same time, a number of economic, social and human development indicators are moving in the right direction. Growth is being sustained at 5% and over, public and private investments in infrastructure across the majority of countries are increasing, we have halted and reversed the spread of the AIDs pandemic, intra-African trade is on the increase, maternal mortality is on the decline and we have more boys and girls in school than ever before in our history.
To sustain the positive trajectory, and decisively break the back of poverty and under-development, to ensure African prosperity, we must ensure faster and deeper political, social and economic transformation. The African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and Member states, as it finalizes its framework for the Africa we want, Agenda 2063, therefore continue to work on a number of key African priorities.
These priorities include investing in people, especially youth and women as our most precious resource; in health, education, science, technology, innovation and research.
It includes transforming and modernizing our agriculture and agro-processing, so as to end hunger and malnutrition, and enable the continent to feed itself and to be a net exporter of food. Woman, who are the majority of the agricultural work force, are also calling for modernization of agriculture, to banish the handheld hoe to the museums.
Our priorities also embrace the need for industrialization and value addition to our natural resources, so that we have inclusive growth and create jobs and economic opportunities for especially Africa’s young people. The skilling of our young and the empowerment of women, including through access to capital, land, markets and infrastructure are critical, in all sectors of our economies, including the extractive industries, the green, blue and maritime economies and in infrastructure development and manufacturing.
All of the above means that we have to make decisive progress on the infrastructure backlogs: energy, transport, ICT, water and sanitation, and other social infrastructure. Many of our national development plans, regional master plans and indeed Agenda 2063 therefore pay special attention to infrastructure development.
Last, but not least, our priorities also include ensuring peace and stability, through good governance, inclusive, caring and tolerant societies and through democratic, accountable, effective and people-centred public institutions.
Ladies and Gentlemen
The contribution that CAF makes to the development of African football and to youth and community development more broadly, is a critical part of this Pan African drive for the Africa we want. When fans from across the continent cheer on their national and continental teams during the African Cup of Nations, Olympic or World Cup Games, it is an expression of our believe in our common destiny.
Yesterday when I met with the CAF President and Deputies, I said to him that in the coming decades, an African team must win the World Cup, in addition to hosting it again. We talk about Africa rising, we also want to see our football and sports as rising.
We are committed to invest in our people, especially health and education. For the sporting family, and more specifically football, this means promoting mass community and amateur sports that build healthy bodies, as well as the development of professional sport. It also means training our people in the various sports sciences, so that we can indeed produce the excellence we are capable of. The AU Commission division on sports stands ready to work with CAF on these issues.
Sports people also know that without infrastructure, it becomes difficult to do anything. We must therefore add to the Agenda 2063 list of infrastructure, the importance of sports infrastructure, not just big stadiums, but also facilities in all our schools, educational institutions and communities.
We remain steadfast that we will not move forward decisively, unless we empower the continent’s youth and women. More is being done across the continent today to promote women’s football (and in some of our countries our women’s national teams outperform the male teams!). But, we do know that more can be done to invest in getting more girls to play the game, to build their self-confidence and to contribute towards keeping them in school, to reduce teenage parenthood and early marriages. When I said yesterday that African teams must start winning the World Cup, I was therefore also including our women’s teams!
The AU and CAF are already cooperating on the Make Peace Happen Campaign, and we have footballers who serve as champions of this campaign. When Africa celebrated the Golden Jubilee of the forming of the OAU/AU last year, our Heads of State and Government pledged that by 2020, we would have silence all the guns on the continent. This is not a goal that can only be done by governments, we need all of African society to work towards this, and we look forward to continue working with CAF and the national associations towards achieving this objective.
Of course ending conflict and violence, and building caring and tolerant societies also apply to sports fans. We noted with concerns the incidents of violence at some sports event, and we add our voices to that of CAF, calling on fans to support their teams with their usual enthusiasm and vigor, but to do so in a peaceful manner.
The AU is working tirelessly to ensure that we end the Ebola crisis in parts of West Africa, through assistance to the countries concerned and by raising public awareness. We know that CAF has and can play a role in this regard, and we welcome all efforts.
Finally, Africa will not move forward unless it is able to raise resources for its development and its institutions. We must also work together on this, and ensure that we all contribute towards the building of a better Africa for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Excellencies,
In our meeting with the CAF President yesterday, we therefore agreed that CAF and the national associations will make their contributions and set out the aspirations for the Africa they want. The deadline for submission is the end of October, and we look forward to receiving your written submissions. We will incorporate it into the Agenda 2063 framework that will be adopted by the Summit in January 2015.
I wish the CAF Executive Council fruitful deliberations, at the AU Headquarters. This is your home and we look forward to welcome you back.
Closing Remarks by H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi (Amb.) Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the African Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights
Addis Ababa, 17 September 2014: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, continues to closely follow the evolution of the situation in Guinea-Bissau, particularly following the presidential and legislative elections of April and May 2014.
The Chairperson of the Commission welcomes the determination of President Jose Mario Vaz and of his Government in initiating the required reforms in Guinea-Bissau.
The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the AU’s support to the democratically-elected institutions in their efforts towards recovery in the country, in consultation with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), as well as with the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), the International Organization of la Francophonie (OIF), the European Union (EU), the United Nations and other members of the international community, as evidenced by the presence, at this moment, in Bissau, of a joint assessment mission.
The Chairperson of the Commission calls on all the political stakeholders to maintain the sense of responsibility which they have demonstrated during the Transition, with a view to consolidating and deepening democracy in the country.
Opening Remarks by H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi (Amb.) Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the African Regional Forum on Business and Human Rights
Opening Remarks by H.E. Dr. Aisha Abdullahi (Amb.) Commissioner for Political Affairs African Union Commission at the AU-EU Seminar on Fostering Implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights through Regional Cooperation, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Statement by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma: Ceremony marking the transfer of authority from MISCA To MINUSCA
Madame Catherine Samba Panza, Head of State of the Transition,
Honourable President of CAR National transitional Council,
Prime Minister of the Transitional Government,
United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations,
Special Representative of the African Union and Head of MISCA,
Vice-Mediators of the United Nations and the African Union,
Heads of Diplomatic Missions,
Invited Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today’s event is a historic one. It marks a new and important step in the growing international engagement in support of the Central African Republic and its suffering people. Indeed, the transformation of the African-led International Support Mission to the Central African Republic into a United Nations peacekeeping operation will enable the mobilization of further assistance for the CAR, at a time when the national stakeholders and their international partners alike need to redouble their efforts to extricate the country from its current predicament.
I am pleased to attend this ceremony marking the transfer of authority from MISCA to the United Nations Multidimensional Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic - MINUSCA. This is a powerful symbol of the ever-deepening cooperation and partnership between the African Union and the United Nations, in our collective endeavor to end conflict and sustain peace on the African continent. We have witnessed similar transitions in Burundi, in 2003, and in Mali, in 2012. We have learned a great deal from these processes. It is important that we build on the experience gained, to further enhance complementarity between the African Union and the United Nations, as we strive to more effectively address the dynamic and complex peace and security challenges facing the continent.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After nine months of hard work, MISCA is winding up its operations. The African Union is handing over the Mission to the United Nations with the conviction of having fulfilled the mandate entrusted to it, despite having worked in very challenging conditions.
While many challenges still lie ahead, there is no doubt that the initial stabilization phase of the situation in the Central African Republic has been successfully completed. Security has improved significantly not only in Bangui, but also elsewhere in the country, thus facilitating the delivery of the much-needed humanitarian assistance to the affected populations; the number of internally displaced persons has decreased substantially; state authority is gradually being restored; and economic and other daily activities are resuming at a faster pace.
In short, the present situation bears little resemblance with the one that prevailed before the deployment of MISCA, particularly in early December 2013, following the large-scale attack carried out by the anti-Balaka armed group in Bangui.
The results achieved have been made possible thanks to the determination and sense of duty of the MISCA military, police and civilian personnel. They have demonstrated an exemplary commitment, achieving so much with limited resources. They acted with courage, dedication and selflessness. They worked not only with their minds, but also with their hearts, driven as they were by the spirit of pan-African solidarity and the desire to assist, as effectively as they could, their sisters and brothers in the Central African Republic in their hour of need.
It is only fitting for me to pay tribute to the MISCA’s leadership and personnel, mindful as I am that no amount of words can express the debt owed to them by the AU and the African continent. You have filled us with pride and, through your actions, you have illustrated the growing capability of the African Union to act timeously and effectively in response to emergency situations on the ground. Be assured of our enduring gratitude. Allow me to seize this opportunity to express appreciation to my Special Representative and Head of MISCA, General Jean-Marie Michel Mokoko, as well as to the Force Commander and Police Commissioner, General Martin Chomu Tumenta and Colonel Patrice Ostangue Bengone for their leadership.
As we gather here today, I would like to pay a special tribute to those MISCA personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in discharging of their duties. From December 2013 to date, 31 MISCA soldiers and police officers died in the line of duty. I reiterate the African Union’s heartfelt condolences to their loved ones and to their countries. I also would like to seize this opportunity to, once again, express our best wishes for speedy recovery to the 153 personnel of the Mission who sustained injuries in the course of discharging their duties.
The African Union is grateful to the troop and police contributing countries, namely Burundi, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda, as well as Chad. By availing the personnel that was so desperately needed to turn the tide of violence in the Central African Republic and create conditions conducive for a meaningful political process, they have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the promotion of peace, security and stability on the continent.
The current Chairperson of the Economic Community of Central African States, President Idriss Deby Itno of Chad, the ECCAS Mediator, President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of Congo, and the other leaders of the region deserve a special mention. They never relented in their efforts to assist the Central African Republic in overcoming the daunting and complex challenges facing it, deploying peacekeepers, convening peace talks and reconciliation conferences, extending financial assistance, while also offering hospitality to refugees fleeing violence and unrest in the CAR. I have no doubt that we can continue to rely on the region’s engagement.
Finally, let me put on record our gratitude for the financial and in-kind support received from a number of African Union Member States, particularly during the pledging conference for MISCA which the Commission organized in Addis Ababa, in February 2014.
The results achieved by MISCA were greatly facilitated by the multifaceted support the African Union received from the international partners. I would like to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the other international forces deployed in the Central African Republic, namely the French Sangaris Operation and the European Union Operation – EUFOR. Our appreciation also goes to all the partners who extended financial and logistical support to MISCA, particularly the EU and its Member States, the United States of America, Canada, Norway and Japan. I commend the United Nations for the technical support extended to MISCA.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The transformation of MISCA into a United Nations operation does not mean that the African Union is ending its presence in the Central African Republic. While the modalities of our engagement will change, we will maintain a strong presence on the ground, to accompany the CAR Government and other stakeholders in their efforts to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation in their country. It cannot be otherwise, for the problems besetting the Central African Republic are also African problems. Our continent and our Union stand to benefit from a strong, united, stable and prosperous Central African Republic.
We will continue to work closely with the ECCAS, the United Nations and other international actors. Indeed, the multidimensional challenges facing the Central African Republic require effective collaboration and coordination of efforts among all concerned members of the international community. In this respect, the critical role of the International Contact Group on the Central African Republic, co-chaired by the African Union and the Republic of Congo, hardly needs to be emphasized.
I have no doubt that the new United Nations peacekeeping operation will build on and consolidate the gains made over the past nine months. The deployment of MINUSCA comes at an opportune time, when conditions conducive for a successful peacekeeping operation have been created. The United Nations brings with it a range of capabilities that are essential to effectively support the CAR-led efforts at state- and nation-building.
To our Central African Republic brothers and sisters, I would like to state that no amount of international assistance can substitute their efforts and leadership. Ultimately, they bear the primary responsibility for bringing about the peace, security and stability that their people are so desperately yearning for.
This is the moment for the CAR political actors to show leadership and to uphold the supreme interest of their country. I plead with all concerned to rise to the challenges at hand.
Regarding more specifically the Transitional Government, there is an urgent need to expedite the implementation of the pending transitional tasks. All efforts should be deployed to facilitate the holding of free, fair and transparent elections that will mark the restoration of constitutional order and pave the way for the reintegration of the Central African Republic in the African Union family.
I thank you for your kind attention and pledge the African Union’s continued support to the Central African Republic.
Opening Statement delivered by Mr Jalel Chelba, Division of Civil Society to Equatorial Guinea Civil Society Organizations at the ECOSOCC Sensitization and Motivation Campaign held in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malabo, Republic of Equatorial Guinea
