Events
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February 07, 2015AU staff children party, 07 February 2015 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. -
February 06, 2015Delegation from Morocco meets with African Union Commission Chairperson
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 6 February 2015: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, on Friday, 6 February 2015 received a delegation of the Authenticity and Modernity Party of Morocco. The delegation of senior party members who met with the Chairperson at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was led by Mr. Ilyas Omari, Deputy President of Moroccan Authenticity and Modernity Party, and Deputy President of House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Morocco
During the meeting, they discussed a number of issues of common concern, including the prevention and combatting of terrorism, women empowerment, socio-economic development on the continent, Morocco’s relations with the AU, and the situation in Western Sahara.
On the issue of Western Sahara, the Chairperson of the Commission expressed the need to find a lasting solution to the impasse that would be acceptable to both parties. In this respect, she reiterated the AU’s readiness and availability to assist the parties in overcoming the current stalemate, within the context of the relevant decisions adopted by the Union’s policy organs.
The Chairperson of the Commission told them that the AU's and her offices doors were open to all stakeholders for continued engagement on those issues of mutual concern.
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February 05, 2015AU Commission Chief of Staff steps down
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 6 February 2015: The African Union Commission Chairperson H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has accepted the resignation of the Chief of Staff in the Bureau of the Chairperson, H.E. Jean-Baptiste Natama from his position.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses her sincere gratitude to H.E. Natama and wishes him well in his future endeavours and career.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma appointed Amb. Jean-Baptiste Natama as her Chief of Staff shortly after assuming functions as the AU Commission Chairperson in October 2012. -
February 04, 2015
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 4 February 2015: The African Union Commission Chairperson H.E Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma welcomed the release of Al-Jazeera English service journalist who was jailed by Egyptian authorities on charges of helping the Muslim Brotherhood, reportedly "a terrorist organization".
The journalist, Peter Greste, of Australian origin, was released on Sunday 1 February 2015. Together with two other colleagues, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy, they were jailed for between seven to 10 years on the same charges.
Welcoming the decision by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, the Chairperson of the AU Commission urges the Government to expedite any processes that would liberate the other two journalists.
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February 04, 2015The African Union Concerned by the Situation in Burkina Faso
Addis Ababa, 4 February 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, is following with concern the latest developments in Burkina Faso.
The Chairperson of the Commission expresses the AU's strong condemnation of any act likely to undermine the current transition and weaken the institutions established by the Burkinabe stakeholders, with the support of the international community. She reaffirms the need for all defense and security forces to scrupulously respect the transitional institutions and Charter, in line with the legitimate expectations of the people of Burkina Faso.
The Commission is in contact with other international actors, including the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations. It will continue to closely monitor the developments in the country.
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February 04, 2015AU Executive Council Chair pays courtesy call on AU Commission Chair
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 3 February, 2014: The newly elected Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Executive Council, Foreign Affairs Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, H.E. Simbarashe Simbanenduku Mumbengegwi, has paid a courtesy call on the Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to discuss the programme of work between the Executive Council and the Commission.
The courtesy call followed the election of H.E. Robert Mugabe as the Chairperson of the AU during the 24th Ordinary Session of the Assembly.
The Chairpersons of the Executive Council and AU Commission exchanged ideas on the immediate implementation of the 24th AU Summit decisions.
As Chairperson of the AU, Zimbabwe’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Permanent Representative to the AU will, respectively, chair the Executive Council and the Permanent Representative Committee in 2015.
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January 30, 2015The African Union strongly condemns the terrorist attacks in the Sinai Peninsula, in Egypt
Addis Ababa, 30 January 2015: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has learned, with deep sorrow, of the terrorist attacks perpetrated, on 29 January 2015, in the Sinai Peninsula, in Egypt, killing dozens of people and injuring many others.
The Chairperson of the Commission strongly condemns these terrorist attacks, which cannot be justified under any circumstances. She expresses the AU’s heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as its solidarity with the Government and people of Egypt. She wishes speedy recovery to the wounded.
The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the attacks that took place in the Sinai Peninsula and other terrorist acts on the continent underline the need for enhanced African action in combatting the scourge of terrorism, within the framework of the relevant AU and international instruments. She reiterates the commitment of the Commission to pursue its efforts in this respect, including in pursuance of the communiqué on terrorism and violent extremism, adopted by the Peace and Security Council at its 455th meeting held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 2 September 2014.
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January 28, 2015AU-ECOWAS-UNOWA to ensure peaceful elections and defeat terrorism
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 28 January 2015: The African Union, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations Office for West Africa (UNOWA) will work closely with Member States to ensure peaceful elections and defeat terrorism in West Africa.
African Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and Special Representative and Head of UNOWA, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas have agreed when they met on the margins of the 24th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
They discussed issues around elections and democratic processes in West Africa, as well as threats to peace and security. They agreed on the urgent need for a regional approach to fight and defeat Boko Haram before it potentially spreads. Both look forward to concrete decisions to come out from the 24th Summit, when the issue will be a key item on the agenda.
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January 27, 2015The East African Standby Force ready to deployAddis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 January 2015: The President of Rwanda, and current Chair of the East African Standby Force, H.E. Paul Kagame, has informed the Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma that the East African Standby Force is ready for deployment. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Rwanda, H.E. Louise Mushikiwado, delivered the message from President Kagame to the AU Commission Chairperson on Tuesday, 27 January 2015 during a meeting in the margins of the 24th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The Minister said all Member States of the East African sub-region have contributed in various ways to activate this Force, which is ready to deploy in three months. Minister Mushikiwado informed Dr Dlamini Zuma that President Kagame will soon be handing over to the next Chair of the East Africa Standby Force. With a resource mobilization strategy in place, the sub-region will be ready for a sustainable deployment.
The AU Commission Chairperson also discussed the possibility to host a lesson learned conference on integration to share lessons on successes and benefits from each of the sub-regional blocks. The conference will be held within the framework of the Kigali Summit on Human Rights for Women.
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January 27, 2015AU Commission Chair and Danish Foreign Minister on climate change and extremism
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27 January 2015: Climate change and radical extremism were the focus of a special meeting between the Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Martine Lidegaard. They met on Tuesday 27 January 2015, in the margins of the 24th AU Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission emphasized Africa’s concerted efforts towards a successful Climate Change Summit in Paris. Most importantly, that Africa is working to ensure that its concerns are taken into consideration. “Africa is the least contributor, but the most affected,” she added, adding that “the Paris agreement should look at the issues that concern Africa.”
The Danish Foreign Minister shared the proposal for a dialogue between the European Union and Africa ahead of the climate change Summit in December 2015 in Paris.
On extremism, both the AU Chairperson and the Foreign Minister agreed on the need to look at radical extremism from a broad perspective, and simply as a security issue. They also agreed on the need to avoid stigmatizing any particular religion.
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January 25, 2015Zambia’s exemplary election sets pace for 2015 series of elections in Africa – AU Commission Chairperson
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25 January 2014: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma congratulates the people of Zambia for organising an exemplary, successful and peaceful election. The Chairperson is gratified with this violence-free election in Zambia, which sets the pace for the remaining 17 elections planned to take place on our continent in 2015.
The Chairperson congratulates the Zambian Independent Electoral Commission for conducting this peaceful poll which has resulted in the election of H.E. Edgar Lungu, of the ruling Patriotic Front, and also Minister of Defence and Justice as the new President of Zambia.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission congratulates H.E. Edgar Lungu for his victory, and wishes him a successful tenure in office. H.E. Lungu’s mandate runs until elections in 2016, completing the remainder of Late President Micahel Sata's term following his death in October 2014.
The Chairperson of the AU Commission enjoins the newly elected President to continue to nurture unity and development in the interest of the people of Zambia.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma praised Zambians for responding to her call, and those of other leaders made during late President Sata’s funeral, for a peaceful and smooth transition.
Jacob Enoh Eben
Spokesperson of the Chairperson
African Union Commission -
January 24, 2015
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 24 January 2015: “The implementation of the Africa’s Disaster Risk Reduction adopted in 2004, has led not only to a paradigm shift from crises management to risk management, but also increased awareness, political commitment and strengthened institutional, legislative, and policy frameworks, capacities, tools and mechanisms for Disaster Risk Management, including early warning and disaster preparedness for response.”
African Union Commission Chairperson, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said during the official opening of the third African Risk Capacity (ARC) Conference of the Parties on Saturday, 24 January 2015, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma recognized the rage of natural and human-induced hazards and associated risks and disasters, with droughts and floods being the major ones severely impacting the Continent. She said, “The 2010-2011 drought condition which affected over 13 million people in the Horn of Africa and 16 million in the Sahel is a clear indication of how severe and devastating drought could be.”
The African Risk Capacity Agency (ARC), an AU Specialized Agency established in November 2012, will through the ARC Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd), payout US $25 million in drought insurance claims to three countries, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. These countries of the Sahel region, which paid a combined premium of US $8 million, will use the payout to mobilize early interventions in response to drought based on pre-approved contingency plans.
“The payouts of US$ 25 million this year were released even before an appeal for aid to the Sahel was even formulated.” The World Food Programme Africa Director, Mr. Thomas Yanga, said during the opening ceremony. He also lauded the ARC Agency as a flagship project of the African Union and the United Nations.
The 3rd ARC Conference of the Parties also elected Mr. Mohamed Beavogui of Guinea as first African General Manager of the Africa Risk Capacity Agency. He will serve a four-year term of office beginning September 2015. He takes over from interim General Manager, Dr Richard Wilcox, credited to quickly establish the ARC, by transforming an idea into an institution.
In her remarks, the AU Commission Chairperson equally congratulated the Governing Board, the Interim Director General and the ARC staff, for building an effective, solid and responsive institution in such a short time.
Establishment in November 2012 through by the World Food Programme and African Union Commission, ARC currently has 25 member countries.
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