Events

Peace Message from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma

Addis Ababa 21 September 2013: We celebrate this year’s Peace Day as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), now the African Union, which seek to promote an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens.

Peace may not be achievable in a day. However, Peace Day gives us the opportunity to reflect on the challenges, and progress made in peace-making, peacekeeping, peace-building and reconciliation within, and between individuals, families, communities and countries.

We must continue to create conditions for lasting peace, by building inclusive societies that respect diversity and human rights, uphold human dignity and ensure the development and well-being of all.

We must also fight violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups.

I am proud to join Peace One Day and our own ‘Make Peace Happen’ campaign, to encourage citizens from all walks of life to contribute to sustainable peace.

So, on this day, who will you make peace with? Who will you reconcile with?

Let us all commit ourselves to make peace happen. Have a peaceful Peace Day!

H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma
Chairperson,
African Union Commission

For more information please contact:

50th Anniversary Situation room,
Room 1501, 15th Floor New Conference Complex
Email: Africa50@africa-union.org
Tel.: + 251-115-513 822, Ext.: 2501

or

Situation Room
Peace and Security Department
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,
P.O. Box: 3243
Tel.: (251-11) 5513 822
Fax: (251-11) 5519 321
Email: situationroom@africa-union.org

The African Union makes an urgent call for the mobilization of the necessary support for the successful conduct of the electoral process in Guinea-Bissau

Addis Ababa, 18 September 2013: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, continues to follow closely the evolution of the transition process in Guinea-Bissau.
The Chairperson of the Commission notes with satisfaction the significant progress made in recent months, thanks to the political consensus reached by the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders. In this regard, she notes the establishment of a more inclusive transitional government, the election of the President of the National Electoral Commission, the establishment of the National Commission for Planning and Strategic Coordination and the revision of the Electoral Code. The Chairperson of the Commission also notes the decision by the Bissau-Guinean authorities to use an improved manual voter registration system, for the establishment of the electoral register for the upcoming elections. She encourages the Bissau-Guinean stakeholders to persevere in their efforts to ensure the success of the transition and address the other challenges facing their country.

In view of the above, and considering that the transition period expires at the end of December 2013, the Chairperson of the Commission appeals to all AU Member States and international partners to urgently provide the financial and other necessary support to enable the successful organization and conduct, within the envisaged timeframe, of free, fair, transparent and credible elections that would mark the completion of the process towards the restoration of constitutional order. She welcomes the pledge made by the European Union to provide a financial contribution.

The Chairperson of the Commission reiterates the appreciation of the AU to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and to its Chairman, President Alassane Dramane Ouattara of Côte d’Ivoire, for the efforts being deployed in assisting Guinea-Bissau to successfully complete the current transition and promote lasting peace, stability, development and democracy in the country. She welcomes the important work being done by the ECOWAS Mission in Guinea-Bissau (ECOMIB).

The Chairperson of the Commission also reiterates the commitment of the AU to continue to support the transition process, including the electoral process. Similarly, the AU will continue to raise awareness and engage the international partners to ensure that they effectively accompany Guinea-Bissau and help it to successfully overcome the many challenges facing the country and address the root causes of the recurring instability in the country. In this regard, she stresses the importance of continuous and close coordination among international actors, particularly in the context of the two joint assessment missions to Guinea-Bissau undertaken under the AU’s auspices, in December 2012 and in July 2013.

AUC Chairperson in the US for meetings and engagements ahead of 68th UN General Assembly meeting

Washington DC, USA – 17 September, 2013: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is in the United States from September 17 to 26, 2013, for a series of engagements ahead of the 68th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Ambassador Amina Ali, Permanent Representative of the African Union Mission to the United States in Washington DC, welcomed the Chairperson and her delegation, highlighting the timeliness of the Chairperson’s visit.

“The Chairperson comes to Washington DC at the right moment to consolidate the new momentum imparted to the AU-US strategic partnership following her meeting on June 29, 2013 in Johannesburg, South African with President Barack Obama,” Ambassador Amina pointed.

During the June meeting, President Obama pledged increased collaboration with the African Union, noting his readiness “to work with the African Union for the best engagement of the United States with Africa.” The AUC Chairperson will build on this pledge as she closely engages key US partners, particularly the US Congress.

In one of her strategic appointments as Guest of Honour, Dr Dlamini Zuma will speak to the theme: “Conservation in Africa: Security, Democracy and Development,” to an audience of over 500 guests including members of the US Congress, US Cabinet, Heads of State, Foreign Ambassadors World Business leaders, American celebrities and leaders from the international NGO community at the annual US Congressional International Conservation Gala in Washington.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma will also deliver keynote addresses at the “2013 Africa Braintrust” at the Washington Convention Centre, “African Union: 50 years of Unity and a Future of Progress,” and another in New York on the theme, “Africa opportunities and realities of the rising continent,” hosted by Rt. Hon. Lord Paul Boateng of the Planet Earth Institute and Member of the BritishHouse of Lords. Through these addresses, she will bring home to the Diaspora her Agenda 2063.

The AUC Chairperson will also hold discussions with the US Chamber of Commerce, members of the US Senate and House of Representatives, in charge of African Affairs.

Akin to last week’s staff celebrations of the OAU-AU 50th anniversary at the Commission in Addis Ababa, the Chairperson will engage with staff of the Washington office in a bid to better understand operations of the mission in the US.

Still in Washington DC Dr. Dlamini Zuma will attend a ceremony to unveil the Statue of Nelson Mandela, whose work and legacy is enormous to all Africans and those that love peace and freedom in the World. She will also accept a Leadership award at the “2013 Africa Leaders Awards Dinner.”

During her participation at the UN General Assembly meeting the following week in New York, Dr. Dlamini Zuma will participate in High Level Meetings, including: of the AU Peace and Security Council chaired by H.E. Allassane Dramane Ouattara of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire; on the Post 2015 Development Agenda, Chaired by the President of Liberia, and Roll Back Malaria partnership, and Co-Chair with the UN Secretary General a meeting of the Great Lakes 11+4 Mechanism. She will hold side meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, the newly appointed UN Women Executive Director, as well as the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Media Contact:
Jacob Enoh Eben,
Ag. Spokesperson of the Chairperson
African Union Commission
Email: EnohebenJ@africa-union.org
Cell: +1 202 751 8517

Josepha M. Musabyemarya
Office of the Ambassador,
African Union Mission to the United States
2200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, 4th Flr. East,
Washington, DC 20037
Telephone: (202) - 507-5735
Fax: (202)-507-5742
Email: josepha_musa@yahoo.co.uk

Sweden invited to increase investment in Africa

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 16 September, 2013: “It’s really Africa’s time to focus on development, investing in our people, and growing the economy. We feel that now is the time for our friends who have supported us all along to remain part of this growth. You can invest and get some benefits, while we develop. Investment, not grants. Investing in Africa is probably better than most places.”

H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission said this while inviting Sweden to increase its investment in Africa as the continent grows. She said, for example, “you can invest in Equity Funds through the Africa-50 fund of the African Development Fund, within the framework our Agenda 2063,”

Dr. Dlamini Zuma made the call to H.E. Jan Sadek of Sweden, as he presented his letter of credence as his country’s Permanent Representative to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and to the African Union.

Ambassador Jan Sadek moves to Addis from Khartoum, Sudan, where he interacted closely with, and highly appreciated the work of the AU High Level Panel led by former President Thabo Mbeki.

“I look forward to continue working, not only on Sudan and South Sudan, but of course with the rest of the continent,” Ambassador Sadek noted, citing Sweden’s tripled support to the AU Peace and Security Council as well as Swedish interest in being part of Africa rising.

Dr. Dlamini Zuma and Ambassador Sadek further explored areas of development cooperation between Sweden and Africa, notably as Africa’s 2063 Agenda is being shaped. They discussed promoting gender equality and women’s leadership through a women’s capacity building project, youth skills development, the AU Foundation in formation stage as well as issues of peace and security.

Burundi Ambassador presents letter of Credence

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 16 September, 2013: His Excellency Alain-Aime Nyamitwe of the Republic of Burundi has presented his letters of credence to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, as Burundi’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

The AUC Chairperson congratulated him on his appointment, and welcomed him to Addis Ababa and to the AU. She noted Burundi’s active participation in the Permanent Representatives’ Committee of the Union, and appreciated its full involvement in peacekeeping missions on the continent. “The door is open to you at any time to discuss any issues to facilitate your work, which is also ours.” Dr. Dlamini Zuma told Ambassador Alain-Aime Nyamitwe, as she wished him a successful tour of duty.

H.E. Alain Aime Nyamitwe in turn expressed his full availability to support the work of the AU. He comes to Addis Ababa, after serving for two and half years as Burundi’s Permanent Representative to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Previously, he was his country’s Deputy Head of Mission in Geneva.