Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 6 December 2013

Africa is bereaved

MadibaNelson RolihlahlaMandela,Pan African hero, Former South African President is no more.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Dr.NkosazanaDlaminiZuma, on behalf of the Commission and its staff, and indeed, on behalf of the Union and the rest of the continent, expressed her grief on the passing of a Pan African iconand Nobel Peace Laureate, President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

Madiba, as he was fondly known, symbolises the spirit of Pan Africanism and solidarity in the struggles of humanity against apartheid, oppression and colonialism and for self-determination, peace and reconciliation.

Before his imprisonment in 1963 for twenty seven years, he visited countless African countriesthat without fail pledged and rendered unflinching support for the struggle of the South African people.

Mandela has fought a good fight, and bowed out with great reverence. Hispassing onis a great loss to his family, to our continent and indeed to humanity itself.

At thissad time of sorrow, our hearts and thoughts are with his widow, GraçaMachel, his ex-wife WinnieMadikizela-Mandela, his children, grand and great-grandchildren and the people of South Africa and Africa. Tata Madiba Mandela will forever be missed.

The African Union dips its banners and rededicates Africa to continue to honour his legacy. The Chairperson has instructed that flags at the AU will fly at half-mast and a Condolences book will be opened at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The African Union Commission will have a wall of remembrance on its website, and Africans are encouraged to deposit messages of condolences on the site

H.E. Dr. NkosazanaDlaminiZuma
Chairperson, African Union Commission