Four newly appointed Permanent Representatives of African Union (AU) Member States have presented their letters of Credence to the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma. The Ambassadors of Togo, South Sudan, Somalia and Chad are the four who presented their Credentials to the AU Commission Chairperson at the AU Headquarters on Monday, 20 June 2016.

Togo

First on the queue for the day was H.E. Sebade Toga, who is Togo’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the UNECA. Presenting his letter of Credence to the AU Commission Chairperson, he also delivered a congratulatory messages from President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo. The newly appointed Ambassador pledged Togo’s continued support in achieving the mission of the AU.

The Chairperson welcomed and congratulated him for the appointment, expressing the Commission’s readiness to work with the Ambassador during his tenure, particularly in delivering collaborative activities between the AU Commission and Togo. In the months ahead, Togo will be hosting the Specialised Technical Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs, as well as the Extraordinary Summit on Maritime Security.

South Sudan

Next was H.E. Ambassador James Pitia Morgan, who is the new Ambassador of the Republic of South Sudan to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and Permanent Representative to the African Union. After presenting his credentials, he expressed gratitude for the AU’s support, working with IGAD, to stabilize South Sudan following the conflict that escalated in December 2013. He further briefed the Chairperson on the implementation of the peace process, and the challenges faced.

The AUC Chairperson expressed the AU’s keen on the restoration of peace and security, as well as rapid development in South Sudan. She noted that the AU will continue to work with South Sudan, AU Member States as well as the international community to support South Sudan in the implementation of relevant decisions and initiatives.

Somalia

Then came H.E. Dr. Mohamed Ali-Nur Hagi, Somalia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union and the UNECA. He also thanked the AU Commission Chairperson for the AU’s support to bringing peace to Somalia. He noted that great progress has been made thus far, and Somalia is preparing to hold its second democratic elections. He pledged his continued support and collaboration to contribute to the peace in Somalia and the overall mission of the African Union.

The Chairperson congratulated him for his appointment and looks forward to working with him to strengthen the relationship between the AU and Somalia. She emphasized the need to support strengthening the Somali National Army, as well as supporting the Government’s ability to provide basic services to the population.

Chad

[The fourth to present his Credentials was H.E. Mr. Cherif Mahamat Zene, who returns to the same position as the Republic of Chad’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA. He occupied the same position for six years before being appointed to the United Nations, in New York, where he spent the last three years.

Amb. Cherif Mahamat Zene returns to this position at a time when President Idriss Déby of Chad serves as the Chairperson of the AU, and preparations for the next Assembly of Heads of State and Government is scheduled to take place the following month.

While welcoming Amb. Zene, the AU Commission Chairperson assured him of the full support of the Commission to ensure a successful Summit in Kigali, as well as other Summits on schedule for the remaining part of the year.