The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, has arrived in Nassau, in The Bahamas at the start of a two-day official visit that will also take her to Cuba. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Hon. Fred Mitchell received the AU Commission Chairperson and her delegation at the Lynden Pindling International airport in Nassau, upon arrival on Tuesday, 29 September 2015.

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, Dame Margueritte Pindling offered to the AU Commission Chairperson a luncheon at the Government House, Mount Fitzwilliam in Nassau, after a courtesy call with the Cabinet of Ministers. 

During the luncheon, the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, the Right Honourable Perry Gladstone Christie heartily welcomed the Chairperson, describing her as a true friend of The Bahamas. Congratulating the Chairperson for the remarkable work being done by the African Union, he commended her maintaining a strong relationship between Africa and the Caribbean.

Expressing her joy to be back after so many years, the AU Commission Chairperson took the opportunity to call for strengthened collaboration between Africa and the Caribbean, particularly within the vision of delivering on Africa’s Agenda 2063. 

The official visit to The Bahamas ends on Wednesday 30 September, and the AU Commission Chairperson and her delegation will continue to Cuba.

In Havana, Cuba, the AU Commission Chairperson will hold meetings with President Raúl Castro and his cabinet, with the discussions aimed at deepening cooperation between Africa and Cuba. Other highlights of the visit include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the African Union and Cuba, and visits to the Latin American International Medical School. Dr Dlamini Zuma will meet with the Women’s Federation and African students in Havana. She will also deliver a lecture at the Cuban Institute of International Relations. 

Relations between Africa and Cuba dates back a long way. The AU Commission’s Chairperson’s visit to The Bahamas and Cuba, her earlier visit to Jamaica and that of the AU Commission Deputy Chairperson Erastus Mwencha earlier this year are all aimed at strengthening relations and the bond between Africa and Central American and Caribbean countries.