Reassert Africa's Sovereignty, African Union Told

Republic of South Africa Minister of Homes Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. She has taken over the African Union Commission Chair in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia., a photo by Pan-African News Wire File Photos on Flickr.

Reassert Africa’s sovereignty, AU told

Tuesday, 07 August 2012 00:25
Takunda Maodza recently in ZAMBIA

NEW African Union Commission chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma must reassert the continent’s sovereignty, President Mugabe has said.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces said this at a banquet held in his honour by his Zambian counterpart President Michael Sata last week.

“We want the new leadership to reassert that Africa is not only defined by geography, but also by a set of values and principles which we have freely adopted as independent states over the years.

“These values include freedom, respect for the sovereign will of the people, as well as sustainable development and the eradication of poverty, among others.

“We welcome the election of the new chairperson of the commission and look forward to the injection of new ideas and vigour into the affairs of our union.”

President Mugabe was on a three-day State visit to Zambia where he officially opened that country’s 86th edition of the Agricultural and Commercial Show in Lusaka on Saturday. He urged Dr Dlamini-Zuma to exude African values during her tenure.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma, who was South Africa’s home affairs minister, landed the post after beating the then incumbent, Gabon’s Dr Jean Ping, at the last session of the AU meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, last month.

She won because of the tremendous support she got from countries in southern Africa.

President Mugabe expressed confidence in Sadc’s ability to restore constitutional rule in Madagascar and in the Economic Community of West African States’ bid to address subversion of democracy in Mali and Guinea-Bissau.

Dr Dlamini-Zuma beat Dr Ping after a protracted contest that began at the 18th Ordinary Session in January.

She got the backing of 37 countries.

Guinea-Bissau and Mali experienced coups recently, while the government in Madagascar aalso went through unconstitional change of government.