AUC and CAF to strengthen collaboration
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, September, 2014: “The relations between the African Union and CAF are historical and important for the entire continent. Our two institutions share common Pan African values, as exemplified by the role that CAF played in the liberation struggle of Africa, in the development of the human potential of Africa through sport and increasingly in the promotion of peace and security.”
African Union Commission Chairperson H.E. Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma contextualised the AU-CAF relationship as she addressed delegates gathered at the opening of the annual meeting of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during which the Committee were to pick the host countries for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals for 2019 and 2021.
Dr. Dlamini Zuma said Africa was at a cross-road of challenges such the Ebola virus, terrorism and security, but most importantly economic growth opportunities that the continent must sustain in order to develop further. She cited human capital investment especially in women and youth, transforming and modernizing agriculture, agro-processing, and extractive industry in order to create jobs and ensure inclusive growth on the continent. She also said Africa has “to make decisive progress on the infrastructure backlogs: energy, transport, ICT, water and sanitation, and other social infrastructure.”
The AUC Chairperson praised CAF for its role in fostering continental integration and promoting Pan-Africanism through the development of African football amongst the youth and various communities. She reiterated her earlier call to CAF President Issa Hayatou for Africa to win the world cup in the coming decades. “An African team must win the World Cup, in addition to hosting it again. We talk about Africa rising, we also want to see our football and sports as rising,” she added.
“The ambitions of the AU and CAF to unite and bring pride to the African continent have always been identical,” CAF President Mr. Issa Hayatou noted in his address to the executive committee, while appreciating the AU for always accommodating CAF’s activities. He promised to continue to support initiatives of the AU to promote social change in Africa.
Since 2010, CAF has been supporting the AU’s activities to bring about social change, such as promoting the culture of peace and the Make Peace Happen campaign. CAF supported the AU in providing humanitarian assistance during crises times in Somalia. During their meeting with the AUC Chairperson, CAF President promised to support the AU efforts in fighting the Ebola disease outbreak in West Africa, as well as contributing to other issues of continental concern raised by Dr. Dlamini Zuma.
