SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE Press Release 1/2013 African Union Chairperson Visits Southern Africa And
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AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA SOUTHERN AFRICA REGIONAL OFFICE Lilongwe 3, MALAWI P. O. Box 30898 Tel. +265 1 775 335/ +265 1 774 878 Fax . +265 1 775 330 e-mail: oau- [email protected] Press Release 1/2013 African Union Chairperson Visits Southern Africa and other Regions ahead of the 20th AU Summit AU-SARO-Lilongwe, 16th January, 2013: African Union Chairperson, Benin's President, His Excellency Dr. Thomas Boni Yayi, is this week winding up his chairmanship with a five day-working visit to a dozen southern, central and eastern African countries. The AU Chairperson started his visit to Southern Africa with the Republic of South Africa on Monday 15 January in the morning where his discussions with President Jacob Zuma was on urgent matters concerning the African continent. In the evening of Monday, President Boni Yayi, visited Angola where his talks with President Jose Eduardo dos Santos concentrated on Mali, DR Congo and Central African Republic. Continuing with his tight schedule in Southern Africa, on Tuesday 16th January, the outgoing AU Chairperson flew to Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, Burundi and Burundi respectively. In Zimbabwe, the two leaders had discussed problems that are directly confronting Africa. President Robert Mugabe welcomed the AU Chairperson and assured him of a peaceful and friendly elections in Zimbabwe this year as Zimbabweans have realised that they have a common destiny despite their differences. AU Chairperson President Thomas Boni Yayi (L) with Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe (R ) at the State House during the visit. © Herald “In my country, yes, we have also had divisions, political divisions, but I am glad that we all appreciate that whatever political affiliations we belong to, we are Zimbabweans.” President Mugabe said Africans were not as united as was expected by the founders of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. “We really have not become integrated as an African people into a real union. And this is the worry, which my brother has, and the worry I have; the worry perhaps others also have. That we are not yet at that stage which was foretold by our fathers when they created this organisation.” The AU chairperson said he had discussed the future of Africa with President Mugabe. “Our vision now is what we can do to strengthen the unity and stability because without it we cannot move to the prosperity of our people in our continent.” “The civil crisis in the Horn of Africa, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Libyan crisis Mali, Guinea Bissau, the Central Africa Republic, DRC and everywhere. We discussed all this, the political situation on our continent. H.E. Boni Yayi explained the AU’s decision to seek NATO’s (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) intervention in Mali. “The issue of Mali is very critical . you are right we did not succeed to resolve the issue. Not only to Bamako, we have discordance in the government. “As ECOWAS, we didn’t succeed to resolve the issue. The rebels, as a result of religious intolerance, are killing people. They cut the hands, arms and the legs, everything, the women, the youths and so on. It is a gross human rights violation, very critical. They are moving from the north heading towards Bamako. If the rebels occupied Bamako it would not only be catastrophic for Mali and the sub-region, but that would affect the whole world.” “It is a matter of terrorism, it is difficult for us and I think the right way is to request for the assistance, military assistance, from NATO.” He said African countries were now ready to assist Mali after the French intervention although military intervention was the last resort for Africa. “The right way was to ask for assistance from NATO. We are ready to go to Mali to help our brothers,” he said. In Malawi, H.E. Dr Boni Yayi arrived at 6:22 PM for a meeting with Malawian President, H.E. Joyce Banda. Briefing the AU Chairperson on various issues, the Malawi leaders thanked the Chairman for the visit, and stressed on unity of African countries in solving problems the continent is facing. She informed the AU chairperson that Malawi is a peaceful country hence all the efforts being made to find a lasting solution over the wrangle. “We can't prosper if there is instability in the continent. We have had meetings with Tanzanians at different forums and now we have involved the retired President of Mozambique to mediate,” Banda said. However, the Malawi leader said should all efforts fail; she is ready to take the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). “I wish to report that should the agreement fail to be reached despite involving former Mozambican President, I will take the matter to the ICJ,” Banda said Responding to H.E. Banda’s briefing, the AU Chairperson said he was more than willing to see a peaceful end of the wrangle between Malawi and Tanzania. President Boni Yayi said the AU will try all its best to ensure that there is a peaceful resolution and mutual understanding between both Malawi and Tanzania. “I was informed about the dispute and the efforts made by both countries. Today, I am glad to report that my sister has told me the positive progress on the issue and it is my hope that this issue will end peacefully,” Boni Yayi said. The AU Chairperson assured President Banda to use his trip to Tanzania to persuade the Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete to look at the issue with sober mind. “From here I'm going straight to Tanzania where I will also have discussion with my brother Kikwete and while there I will send similar message. We need peace, we need unity and we need stability in the continent,” he said. President Thomas Boni Yayi (L) with Malawian President, H.E. Joyce Banda at Kamuzu State House, in Lilongwe during the meeting © Malawi Democrat The AU Chairperson extended invitation to the Malawi President to the 20th AU Summit. “we expect that the president will attend the Summit. We did understand what happened last year, when president Joyce Banda failed to attend the 19th AU Summit. It was due to economic reasons that she did not go to the AU Summit.” H.E. Boni Yayi proceeded to Tanzania the same night to meet with President Jakaya Kikwete. During the meeting, President Boni Yayi applauded the Tanzanian President for his commitment and tireless efforts in handling political standoffs facing some African. President Jakaya Kikwete reassured the AU that no conflicts will emerge from the Lake Nyasa border dispute between Tanzania and Malawi. President Jakaya KiKwete in talKs at State House in Dar es Salaam with African Union Chairperson, Benin’s President Dr Thomas Boni Yayi . © ippmedia He said although the government has promised to resolve the matter before 2015; the situation should not be considered a conflict, assuring Tanzanians not to worry about occurrence of conflicts. “There is no bleeding conflict between the two countries; however, I don’t see the need for the situation to be translated into a bleeding conflict,” he said. The Tanzanian president also informed the AU chairman on the progress reached by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in addressing political and relationship situation in the region. On Madagascar political tension, President Kikwete said both, President Andry Rajoelina and the former president of Malagasi Mark Ravaromanana have accepted to not run for presidency in the next election scheduled for May this year. The decision aims at drawing Madagascans out of the crisis and also implementing Troika organ summit roadmap reached on January 10 and 11 this year in Dar es Salaam. President Kikwete said, already President Rajoelina has publicly declared that he will not contest for presidential post. “For the sake of restoring peace and stability of the country we commended both Presidents not to vie in the election as an expression of maturity politics…I reiterate SADC’s pleasure over Madagascar’s President for agreeing not to run for presidency,” he said. He added that SADC will continue holding its position by ensuring its roadmap which includes enacting privileges to all former Madagascar Presidents is implemented by the parliament. Regarding, the situation in Mali, some member states have pledged to send their troops. Already some countries such as Chad, Senegal, Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso, Ghana and Guinea have allocated soldiers. Meanwhile a section of African Chief of Defense Forces is in Mali’s Capital city - Bamako to discuss the implementation of the plan. The 20th African Union Summit is scheduled to take place 21-28 January, 2013 at the AUC headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on the theme “Pan-Africanism and African Renaissance.” Contact: Ms. Golie Nyirenda Communication Officer AU Lilongwe Office E-mail : [email protected] .