Events

Press Release Nº302/2015

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 25 October 2015: The African Union Commission Chairperson, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has announced a USD 200,000 donation to alleviate the plight of flood victims in the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (Sahrawi Republic). The AU Commission Chairperson made the announcement following reports that over 10-days of torrential rains brought heavy floods that destroyed several public buildings, community centres, and homes of refugees in all the Wilayas of the camps.

Sending her good wishes to the people of Sahrawi Republic, while announcing the donation, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said that the amount will go towards providing urgent humanitarian assistance, particularly tents, food and medicine, given the potentially devastating impact of water-borne diseases resulting from water contamination.

For over 40 years, the Sahrawi refugees have lived in make-shift houses and tents while in exile owing to the illegal occupation of their country, Sahrawi Republic by Morocco. Decisions of the AU Assembly have consistently condemned this illegal occupation, calling for the right to self-determination of the people of Sahrawi Republic.
Jacob Enoh Eben, Spokesperson of the Chairperson, +251 911 201 632 or +251 934 996 893 Email: EnohebenJ@africa-union.org

For further information contact

Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail:
dic@african-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication
Information and Communication
African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700
Email: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: www.au.int

The African Union and European Union re-affirm commitment to strengthen partnership

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 20 October 2015: The African Union and the European Union have reaffirmed their commitments to strengthen their partnership. The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs & Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, reaffirmed these commitments as they discussed approaches to critical issues impacting both Africa and Europe.

They met in Addis Ababa, on Tuesday 20 October 2015, during the first official visit of the European Union High Representative and Vice President. The EU HR/VP also utilised the opportunity to address the AU’s Permanent Representative Council (PRC), and members of the diplomatic corps in Addis Ababa.

The bilateral dialogue, a follow up to the conversations held in Brussels in April in 2014, served as a route for devising a way forward with regards to the AU/EU partnership. The conversation was centred on issues of migration, peace and security, climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the benefits of regional cooperation and integration, among others. The AU Commission Chairperson took the opportunity to highlight the AU’s medium and long-term approaches in addressing the issue of migration, , highlighting the fact that when the youthful population migrates out of Africa it should be out of choice and not out of desperation.

During the bilateral discussions, Dr. Dlamini Zuma reiterated her position that the AU is keen to see a partnership not only “based on the exportation of natural resources from Africa to Europe”, but on “long-term investment and technology transfer, to boost industrialisation and job creation.”

On the issue of climate change, the AU Commission Chairperson affirmed that mitigation and adaption remain “central to the agenda”, and all parties “need to be accountable on the basis of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.” Dr. Dlamini Zuma further emphasised that efforts need to be centred on the generation of clean energy.

The EU HR/VP agreed that it is crucial to coordinate efforts in addressing the climate change problem, because no one is safe from the repercussions and all will suffer the consequences of inaction. She asserted that “concrete commitments” are needed to ensure that a deal is reached at the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP) to be held in Paris later this year. The EU Chief also mentioned that given all the work that is currently underway, she is “confident in the possibility of great results.”

On the matter of peace and security in Africa, Dr. Dlamini Zuma reaffirmed that cooperation is essential, because there is “never a guarantee that conflicts will not erupt, but we can take charge in our attempts to manage and solve them.” Here she cited the Ebola outbreak of 2014 and the collaboration that was necessary to contain it. Ms. Mogherini, concurring that “managing a crisis before it becomes conflict is the best approach”, stressed that African players must bear the main responsibility and take the lead, as local actors are critical to the prevention and containment of conflict.

In her keynote address, the EU HR/VP, after citing this quote by Nelson Mandela: “Africa is a region of vast untapped potential”, said that “making the most of Africa’s potential is the goal of the AU/EU partnership”. She also affirmed that Africa’s greatest natural resource is its people, and although Africa is already getting stronger, it will to do so even more markedly when it cashes in on its demographic dividend by 2025.

Ms. Mogherini also raised the question of whether or not the international community is willing to listen to Africa. According to the EU Diplomat, Europe is willing because “there is a new generation in Europe who is looking at Africa with new eyes”. She emphasised the need to focus on a common future, with the new question being “what can we do with Africa, what can we do together?”

Before the delivered of the keynote address, the Deputy Chairperson of the AU Commission, Erastus Mwencha, welcomed the EU HR/VP on her first ever official visit to the AU. He highlighted various areas of cooperation between the AU and the EU, hailing the long-standing partnership between the two regional bodies and expressed AU’s gratitude for the support and assistance that the EU has been providing to the AU.

Directorate of Information and Communication

Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

London, UK – 21 October 2015: The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has arrived in London to promote the investment opportunities in Africa available to the governments, financial and business investors of the United Kingdom and China. Dr. Dlamini Zuma will be addressing a major event on, “UK-China-Africa: Collaboration for Investment and Growth”, at the Lancaster House in London on 22 October 2015.

The AU Commission Chairperson will present investment opportunities in Africa in line with Agenda 2063, particularly within growth-stimulating areas such as infrastructure development, human capacity development, energy and agriculture and agro-processing. The AU Commission Chairperson believes that these are prospective areas for collaboration between Africa, China and the UK.

Hosted by the UK Trade and Investment in partnership with the Department for International Development (DFID), the principal objective of the event is, “to strengthen understanding of how the respective strengths of the UK and Chinese governments and private sectors can be most effectively combined, with the objective of stimulating investment and inclusive growth in Africa.”

The UK Secretary of State for International Development, Rt. Hon Justine Greening MP, and the Chairman of the China Africa Fund, Mr Chi Jianxin, will also address the forum. High-level representatives from African countries, China and UK industries, with special interests in African markets, including the agriculture, manufacturing, banking, construction, legal services and charity sectors, will also attend.

This event is organised in line with the Chinese President Xi Jinping’s State visit to the UK, during which the leaders will explore ways of how the governments, businesses and finance sectors can collaborate to strengthen delivery of growth and stimulate job creation in Africa.

Media contact:

Jacob Enoh Eben, Spokesperson of the Chairperson, African Union Commission; +251 911 201 632; +251 934 996 893 E-mail EnohebenJ@africa-union.org

Directorate of Information and Communication

Directorate of Information and Communication | Information and Communication | African Union Commission
Tel: +251-11-5517700 | Fax: | E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org | Web:www.au.int

Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

Press Release

AU Commission Chairperson to host EU Foreign Affairs Chief on Africa-EU Partnership

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 19 October 2015: African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will host European Union (EU) Commission High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President, Ms. Federica Mogherini at the African Union Head Quarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 20 October 2015.

Ahead of the visit, the AU Commission Chairperson said she is looking forward to hosting Ms. Mogherini and the EU here in Africa’s capital, Addis Ababa. “This meeting will provide an opportunity for us to discuss the AU-EU relations, particularly around critical issues including migration, peace and security, development, democracy and human rights, as well as Africa’s Agenda 2063 and its alignment with the SDG’s”.

The visit, which is the first ever by Ms. Federica Mogherini to the African Union, is informed by the EU-Africa Summit which took place in Brussels in 2014 and in which Africa and the EU affirmed their commitments to the 2007 Joint EU Africa strategy.

The EU High Official, Ms. Mogherini, will deliver a keynote speech at the Medium Conference Room in the AUC Conference Centre, where participants will include members of the Diplomatic Corps based in Addis Ababa, AU and EU officials and other invited guests. She will also focus on issues of migration, youth and women and ways of boosting economic growth and stimulating job creation.

The AUC Chairperson and the EU High Representative and Vice President will briefly address journalists, who are also invited to cover the event.

Press Release Nº286/2015

‘Forbes Africa Person of the Year’ and ANN7 ‘South African of the Year’ are among additional awards H.E. Dr. Dlamini Zuma is nominee for in 2015

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 16 October 2015: Inspirational as an advocate for development and sustainable growth on the African continent, working diligently to promote the empowerment of women and youth in Africa and striving for African integration, are among the remarkable efforts that have earned recent nominations and awards for Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, as ‘Forbes Africa Person of the Year 2015’ and ANN7 ‘South African of the Year’.

It is rather awe-inspiring that the leadership of the continental organisation (OAU/AU) is being acknowledged for such notable actions, both in her country of origin and on the continent, but Dr. Dlamini Zuma maintains an air of modesty through it all. “I am deeply honoured that the prestigious magazine, Forbes Africa, has chosen me as an hopeful for the Africa Person of the Year 2015”, Dr. Dlamini Zuma said after learning of this latest nomination.

“It is especially humbling to be included on a list with other Africans who are contributing tremendously to much needed progress, especially in terms of social, political and economic development on the continent”, she further added. In response to her ANN7 nomination, she said: “[I]thank you, South Africa, for your encouragement and relentless support. We owe you all that has been achieved and will continue to be achieved.”
Dr. Dlamini Zuma leverages her position as the Chairperson of the AU Commission to elevate the African voice, raising the need for Africa to write its own narrative, to tell its story. Her interventions have always been punctuated by bold statements about her vision for women's empowerment, youth engagement, Africa’s development, the defense of democracy, the realization of peace and security on the continent and the sustained relationship between Africa and its overseas partners.

“Africans have a common vision to transform our continent. We all have a stake in Africa’s future, a future which is outlined in our continent’s long-term vision – Agenda 2063. The stimulus for my daily tasks is to contribute towards building the Africa we all want”, the AU Chairperson stated, with conviction in her voice.

Since it was launched in 2011, Forbes Africa Person of the Year Award has recognized the efforts of individuals of the highest calibre across the continent. The public is invited to voice its opinion and vote for both awards. The Forbes African of the Year Award will be presented in November 2015, in Nairobi, Kenya.

The first ANN7 South African of the Year (SATY) award was held in 2014. In that year it was won by Advocate Thuli Madonsela, a renowned lawyer and Public Prosecutor of South Africa.
In this year alone, Dr. Dlamini Zuma has been the recipient of a number of other awards, including the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Platinum Order Award (second person to receive such an award in the history of CAF); the 2015 Gülen Peace Award; the 2015 eThekwini Living Legends Award; African Foremost Heroines Living Legends; the African Achievers Awards (Excellence in Leadership Award in the female category);

Directorate of Information and Communication
Directorate of Information and Communication
Information and Communication
African Union Commission

Tel: +251-11-5517700
Email: DIC@africa-union.org
Web: www.au.int