JOHANNESBURG, July 5 (ANA) – South Africa International Relations and Co-operation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane has concluded her visit to Addis Ababa, Ethiopa, where in her capacity as Special Representative of President Jacob Zuma she led the South African delegation to the 29th Session of Heads of State and Government of the African Union.
A statement from the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (Dirco) on Wednesday said that at the conclusion of the Summit, Nkoana-Mashabane travelled to Germany for the G20 Summit.
The AU Summit was held under the theme: “Harnessing the Demographic Divident through Investments in the Youth”.
It deliberated on a number of issues pertinent to the continent, paying particular attention to the AU’s aspirations as outlined in Agenda 2063.
Among other things, the Summit discussed the report on institutional reforms of the AU, presented by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, the state of peace and security on the continent, and elected new commissioners for Human Resources, Science and Technology (Sarah Mbi Enow Anyang Agbor of Cameroon), and Economic Affairs (Victor Harison).
On the state of peace and security on the continent, the Summit considered the report of the AU Peace and Security Council for the period January to June 2017.
The Summit reiterated its commitment to bring lasting peace and stability to the continent, particularly in countries such as Libya, South Sudan, Sudan (Darfur), Somalia and Western Sahara.
The report on institutional reforms of the AU and its organs was presented in January 2017 and the implementation of these were focused on in Addis Ababa this week.
The importance of capacitating the AU and its organs financially, and in relation to human capital, while at the same time improving its working methods and procedures, were also stressed by the attendees.
Dirco said that at the conclusion of the Summit, Nkoana-Mashabane paid a courtesy call on the Chair of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, of Chad.
From Addis Ababa, the minister travelled to Hamburg, Germany, where she is joining Zuma’s delegation to the G20 Summit.
– African News Agency (ANA)
