Ethiopia: Chairmanship of the AU Commission to change hands on Tuesday

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The outgoing Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, the first-ever woman to head the continental organisation, will officially handover power to Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Tuesday, 14 March, 2017.

PANA reports that the official handover ceremony will take place at 3:00 p.m. in the Nelson Mandela Hall at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

According to the programme, the outgoing Chairperson, Dlamini Zuma, together with other dignitaries, welcomed the incoming Chairperson, Faki Mahamat, Thursday night, 9 March 2017 at the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa.

Both officials are currently co-presiding over a two-day (10-11 March) joint retreat, designed to ensure a smooth transition.

In a series of farewell events, the outgoing Chairperson officially bid farewell to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, on Saturday.

She thanked all AU Commission Staff, Member States and partners for their contributions and support during her tenure and expressed her satisfaction with the strong foundation in place for the realisation Africa’s Agenda 2063 and wishes the incoming Commission nothing but more success in implementing and championing the continent’s Agenda.

The incoming Chairperson was elected by AU Member States during the 28th Summit of Heads of State and Government in January 2017.
-0- PANA SSB/VAO 11March2017