28th African Union Summit Concludes With Swearing in of New Commission and Readmission of Morocco

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Feb 2, 2017

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Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 31st January 2017: The 28th Ordinary Summit of the African Union concluded on 31st January at the African Union Headquarters. It was officially closed after the swearing in of the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Deputy Chairperson, H.E. Mr. Thomas Kwesi Quartey and Commissioners.

H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat succeeds H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who was Chairperson for four years.

The newly sworn in Bureau of the Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Commissioners are as follows:

Chairperson of the African Union Commission              H.E Mr. Faki Moussa Mahamat
Deputy Chairperson                                                       H.E. Mr. Thomas Kwesi Quartey
Commissioner for Peace and Security                           H.E. Mr. Smail Chergui
Commissioner for Political Affairs                                   H.E. Ms. Minata Cessouma Samate
Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy                  H.E. Ms. Amani Abou-Zeid
Commissioner for Social Affairs                                      H.E. Ms. Amira Elfadil Mohammed Elfadil
Commissioner for Trade and Industry                             H.E. Mr. Albert M. Muchanga
Commissioner for Rural Economy and Agriculture          H.E. Ms. Correa Leonel Josefa Sacko

The Commissioners for Economic Affairs and Human Resources Science and Technology will be communicated at a later date.

During the closing ceremony, the outgoing Chairperson H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma noted that the 28th AU Summit took a historic decision to reunite the African community states with its decision to readmit into the Union The Kingdom of Morocco and she was satisfied with the strong foundations in place for Africa’s success. Her Excellency concluded by saying it had been an absolute and humbling privilege to serve as the Chairperson of the AUC and “for any African, there is no service more important, more honourable or more rewarding than to serve our continent and the citizens of Africa.”

H.E. Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, in his remarks, mentioned that being the Chairperson of the African Union Commission is a heavy task but gave his assurance that he would dedicate and commit himself to serving the Union.

Speaking for the first time following the readmission of Morocco, H.M. Mohammed VI of Morocco, the King of Morocco mentioned that it was high time Morocco came back home and said that ‘Africa is indispensable to Morocco and Morocco is indispensable to Africa.’

The President of Guinea who is also the Chairperson of the African Union gave the vote of thanks and welcomed the King of Morocco to the summit. He highlighted some of the various decisions that were discussed, including the adoption of the Report on the proposed Institutional reform of the African Union which was presented by H.E. Mr. Paul Kagame’s, President of the Republic of Rwanda. In conclusion, he mentioned that Member States of the African Union are committed to financing the operations of the Union with their own resources saying ‘it is important for Africa’s independence and self-respect.’

For inquiries, contact:
Esther Azaa Tankou | Head of Information Division | | African Union Commission | Tel: (251) 11 551 77 00 | Fax: (251) 11 551 78 44 | E-mail: Yamboue@africa-union.org

For further information:
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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