Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 8 July 2016: The African Union Commission (AUC) is following the outcome of the referendum of the United Kingdom to leave the European Union (EU), and has conveyed its continued confidence in the European Union (EU) and the fundamental principles of collective security, international cooperation and integration, international partnership and development.

The African Union respects the decision of the United Kingdom (UK), and maintains its commitment to cooperate with the UK based on their chosen path. The AU also notes the importance of drawing lessons from the benefits and challenges of integration, redressing structural root causes of social discontent within member states, and facilitating free movement of persons in Africa.

The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma recalled that both the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) were both founded on the basis of collective determination to avoid the escalation of violent conflict; and promote peace, good governance, prosperity, and common citizenship. Any weakening of the European Union is, essentially, a weakening of the multilateralism world order, and thus a threat to peace and security.

The AU Commission Chairperson added that the AU’s commitment to these lasting principles and intergovernmental cooperation remains resolute, and the AU continues to regard the EU as a likeminded partner in this regard. The AU values the cooperation and partnership between the AU and EU and the citizens of both, across the areas of economic development, migration, law and order, peace and security, human rights, etc.

The AU also, however, in the same spirit looks forward to continuing a close partnership with long-time friend and partner, the United Kingdom, while noting with concern that beneath the British vote are general, underlying sentiments of xenophobia and outright racism. The AU is staunchly opposed to bigotry of any kind, and is concerned for Africans currently living in Europe, the long-term Diaspora and more recently, migrants and refugees from the African continent.

The AU stresses, once again, the critical role of its continental integration, the free movement of people, goods and services, as well as the African common market for Africa's prosperity and peace.

The AU reiterates readiness to continue to work with all its EU partners to achieve their mutually agreed and benefiting goal.