Press Release No. 143/2012
DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON MEETS WITH THE SPECIAL ENVOY OF PRESIDENT KABILA
The
Special Envoy congratulated the Deputy Chairperson on his re-election
and the confidence expressed by the Member States in him. He wished the
Deputy Chairperson the best in fulfilling his important functions.
Mr.
Ilunga Ngandu briefed Mr. Erastus Mwencha about the rapidly
deteriorating situation in the East of the DRC, and armed rebellion
launched by the M23. He also briefed the Deputy Chairperson about the
implications for peace, security and stability in the DRC and the Great
Lakes Region as a whole, as well as for the civilian populations,
including the most vulnerable groups.
Mr.
Ilunga Ngandu appreciated the efforts made by the International
Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and he said “We are
appealing to the African Union (AU) to take the lead and oversight role
in DRC”. He also commended the efforts made by AU Peace and Security
Council and argued to put the plan for UN Security Council as soon as
possible. Mr. Ngandu said that the process of bringing lasting peace
will be conducted by the government and the oversight will be done by
neutral entities.
Mr. Erastus Mwencha said that the Chairperson of African Union Commission (AUC) Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is fully committed to find a solution for the situation in the East of the DRC. He also spoke about the participation of the Chairperson in Kampala Summit on Eastern DRC crisis and AU’s continued support to the ongoing efforts aimed at finding a lasting solution to the crisis in the North Kivu Region of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Mr.
Erastus Mwencha assured that Special Representative of the Chairperson
of the Commission has been deployed in order to facilitate the
determination by the Commission of additional measures to be taken to
enable the AU strengthen its support to the efforts regarding DRC.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff, Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson Mr. Anthony Isoe Okara.
Press Release No. 141/2012
Bob Marley Foundation Indicates Desire to Perform at 50th Anniversary of the OAU
Mrs. Marley briefed Mr. Mwencha about the request of the Foundation for a performance during the 50th
Anniversary of the OAU, which is supposed to take place in May 2013.
She stressed the importance of the performance for the youth in Africa.
Dr. Desta Meghoo said that the Diaspora African Forum invites
and encourages the full participation of Africans in the Diaspora in
the building of the African Union, in its capacity as an important
region of the continent
Mr.
Mwencha said that the Chairperson of African Union Commission (AUC) Dr.
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will be very excited with Mrs. Marley’s visit.
He highlighted, in the meeting that the AUC wants to use the 50th
Anniversary as a platform to deliberate on key issues such as “where we
are [as Africans] and where we should be”. He also said that music is a
common platform that brings people together.
Mr.
Mwencha praised the late Bob Marley for his contribution towards
uplifting the consciousness of Africans on the continent as well as
those in the Diaspora. “It will be better to bring Africans in Diaspora
to see their roots” added the AUC Deputy Chairperson.
The meeting was attended by some members of Diaspora African Forum.
Note for Editors:
The
Bob Marley Foundation Ltd. USA is a not for profit 501 (C) (3)
charitable organization founded by the Mrs. Rita Marley O.D. and the
Marley family in honor of Robert (Bob) Nesta Marley, to fulfill his comprehensive vision of social development through advocacy for social change
