President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz addresses African Union Commission staff during headquarters visit

Addis Ababa  February, 2014: H.E. Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania and Chairperson of the African Union visited the headquarters of the African Union on February 26. In a brief address to the Commission staff members and leadership, he enjoined the Commission to double its efforts to achieve the objectives of the Union. 

Welcoming the Union Chairperson, the AU Commission Chairperson, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma highlighted that, among the tasks for 2014, is to finalise Agenda 2063. “It (the agenda) must enable us to translate our noble ideas into action, so that we speed up the building of an Africa that is integrated, peaceful, prosperous and people-centered”, the Commission Chairperson said. She also stressed on the need for practical steps to enhance Africa’s agrarian revolution in 2014, which has been declared the Year of Agriculture and Food Security. She recalled the Union Chairperson’s emphasis to have good irrigation systems.

Dr Dlamini Zuma also stressed that a strong working relationship between the Chairperson of the Union and of the AU Commission is critical for the continent to achieve its goals for the year, and assured President Ould Abdel Aziz that he has the full support of the Commission, in the performance of his duties as Chairperson of the AU.

Following the remarks by the Commission Chairperson, and on behalf of the staff members, AUC Staff Association President, Mr Salah Siddig Hammad welcomed President Ould Abdel Aziz to the African Union headquarters. He raised some issues related to the well-being and welfare of AU staff members. 

In his address to the meeting, the AU Chairperson thanked the Commission Chairperson for arranging the visit and shared his gratitude for the work that has been, and is being done by the AU staff members. He encouraged them to strive for the realization of the AU vision. In the speech he highlighted the importance of promoting human rights, peace, empowerment of women, youth employment, economic growth as well as fighting terrorism.

Meanwhile, prior to the Nelson Mandela plenary hall meeting, President Ould Abdel Aziz had had occasion to sign the visitors’ book, and to have a brief discussion with Dr. Dlamini Zuma as well as to meet other Commission leaders.

President Ould Abdel Aziz was elected to the position at the January 2014 Assembly of the Union’s Heads of State and Government. The last time the Islamic Republic of Mauritania held the Chairpersonship of the Organisation of African Unity was in 1971.