The newly appointed African Union (AU) Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities paid a two-day inception working visit to the AU Headquarters from 13 -14 June 2024 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

It may be recalled that during the recent 30th anniversary commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, announced the appointment of Mr. Adama Dieng as AU Special Envoy for the Prevention of the Crime of Genocide and other Mass Atrocities in Africa. The appointment is to complement ongoing AU initiatives and programmes against genocide and other mass atrocities in Africa, and to provide relevant leadership push against the crime of genocide on the continent.

In receiving the Special Envoy, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, HE Bankole Adeoye, congratulated H.E Adama Dieng and expressed his confidence in his capacity to fulfill the mandate of his office. He further stressed the sensitivity of the subject matter and highlighted the need for close collaboration with the AU Policy Organs, particularly the Peace and Security Council. Commissioner Bankole also intimated that by the nature of his  mandate, the Special Envoy has the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security as his anchor department in the execution of his duties and pledged the full support of the department in that regard.  

In addition, the Commissioner informed the Special Envoy about the annual High-Level Retreats for High Representatives and Special Envoys; the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda; other mandate-specific policy programmes relevant to the role of the Special Envoy like transitional justice, peace mediations, and the African Human Rights Memorial Project, all of which require the Special Envoy’s active participation and collaboration.

On his part, H.E Adama Dieng expressed deep gratitude to the Chairperson of the AUC and Commissioner Bankole for the trust placed in him by offering him this exceptional opportunity to serve the African continent and contribute to the prevention of mass atrocities and genocide. He assured the Commissioner of his full commitment to the promotion of peace and security on the continent and the realization of the mandate of his office.

 During his two-day engagements, H.E Mr. Adama Dieng received a comprehensive and elaborate briefing from all the Divisions and Units, in the department.

The working visit marked the official assumption of duty by the Special Envoy for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities.  

Contact Information:

For media inquiries:

Ms. Limi Mohammed, Communication Focal Point and Web Administrator | African Union Commission; Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department; Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate | Email: shashlm@africa-union.org

Ms. Tsion Hailemariam, Focal Point for the Special Envoy Office | African Union Commission; Political Affairs, Peace and Security Department; Governance and Conflict Prevention Directorate| Email: TsionH@africa-union.org

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