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Congratulations from Foreign Minister Westerwelle as Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission
South African Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle sent a message to South Africa’s Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma today (16 July) to congratulate her on being elected as the new Chairperson of the African Union Commission.
His message reads as follows:
“Allow me to extend my congratulations on your election as Chairperson of the African Union Commission. I am convinced that you will continue the important work of the African Union with great success as well as fostering the close and trusting working relationship that exists between Germany, the European Union and the African Union. Please accept my best wishes for the responsibilities of this high office.
The African Union is playing an ever more important role in conflict resolution and the promotion of democracy and good governance in Africa. In the face of all the challenges there are, the AU has achieved significant progress in these areas in recent years. The more actively this continent takes its fate into its own hands, the better it will be for Africa and the better it will be for us in Europe. The AU will continue to have Germany’s dedicated support as it does so.”
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, South Africa’s Home Affairs Minister, was elected to the office of Chairperson of the African Union Commission at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa on Sunday (15 July). She is the first woman to hold the post; her predecessor was Jean Ping of Gabon.
Among other elements of support, the German Government is providing almost 27 million euros in funding for the AU Commission to build its Peace and Security Department; construction is to be completed in 2013.