Addis Ababa, February 6, 2021 (FBC) -The Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) have elected FelixTshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as the new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2021.
On behalf of the outgoing President of the Union, the symbols of the Union were presented physically to the incoming Chair by the AUC Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, while the flag of the African Union was handed over virtually by the South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa.
Under the Chairmanship of the DRC, the new bureau of the Assembly of the AU for 2021-2022 will constitute Senegal, Comoros, and Egypt as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd vice-chairs respectively, while South Africa will be the Rapporteur.
In his handing over speech, President Ramaphosa wished the new AU Chairperson, a successful Chairmanship and thanked the Heads of States of AU Member States as well as the AU outgoing bureau, for their support during the tenure of his mandate which he said, was marked by the prevailing sanitary crisis caused by the COVID19 pandemic.
From pandemics to climate change, from war to poverty, we need to overcome shared problems through collective action, President Ramaphosa added.
In his acceptance speech, President Tshisekedi said it is a unique privilege for the Democratic Republic of the Congo to be given this opportunity as Chair of the African Union at a symbolic and highly significant moment when “we are celebrating the sixty years of the disappearance of a worthy son of the Congo and Africa, Mr. Patrice Émery Lumumba, who strongly believed in the great destiny of Africa.
President Tshisekedi also commended the unrelenting mobilizing efforts of President Cyril Ramaphosa to fight the OVID19, admired Ethiopian hospitality, witnessed in the leadership and the people of Ethiopia, and the warm welcome given to him by Moussa Faki Mahamat.
Highlighting the theme of the year 2021, the new AU Chairperson Tshisekedi said, Arts, Culture, and Heritage constitute the foundation of the African renaissance and offers the opportunity for Africans to return to our roots.