ALPHA
OMAR KONARE ASSUMES OFFICE AS CHAIRPERSON
OF THE COMMISSION OF THE AFRICAN UNION
The former President of the Republic
of Mali, Prof. Alpha Omar Konare, today, assumed office as the
Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union. He took over
from Mr. Amara Essy, former Secretary General of the OAU and Interim
Chairperson of the Commission, thus marking the end of the interim
period.
Prof. Konare signed
and received the handing over report as well as the seal of office
and the flag of the African Union from Mr. Amara Essy at a ceremony
attended by H.E. Joachim Alberto Chissano, President of the Republic
of Mozambique and current Chairperson of the African Union, and
H.E. Girma Wolde-Giorgis, the President of the Federal Democratic
Republic of Ethiopia, in the presence of members of the African
Diplomatic Corps and staff members of the Union.
Three new commissioners
were sworn in doing the ceremony, namely, Mrs. Julia Dolly Joiner
from the Republic of the Gambia, responsible for political affairs;
Ms. Bience Philomena Gawanas, from Namibia, for Social Affairs
and Ms Rosebud Kurwijila, from Tanzania, for Rural Economy and
Agriculture.
Those sworn in last
July in Maputo, were the Chairperson of the Commission of the
African Union, Prof. Alpha Omar Konare and the Deputy Chairperson,
Mr. Patrick Mazimhaka, from Rwanda; as well as the Commissioners
responsible for Peace and Security, Amb. Said Djinnit, from Algeria;
Mr. Bernard Zoba, from the Republic of Congo for Infrastructure
and Energy, and Ms. Elizabeth Tankeu, from Cameroon, for Rural
Economy and Agriculture. The portfolios for Economic Affairs and
that of Human Resources, Science and Technology would be filled
later.
President Chissano,
paid tribute to the outgoing Interim Chairperson, Mr. Amara Essy
for his contributions and urged Mr. Alpha Omar Konare to apply
his rich experiences in raising the profile of the organization,
particularly, in ensuring peace and security, the flow of foreign
direct investments and full implementation of the decisions of
the Summit and Council of the African Union.
Prof. Konare on his
part, acknowledged that much work needed to be done, and solicited
the support and involvement of all sectors of society and the
Diaspora in achieving the desired goals of the African Union.
Addis Ababa, September 16, 2003
Statements