The Namibia Economist

SADC re-endorse Zuma

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has re-submitted its candidature of Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to the African Union for the position of chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).
The South and North are the only two regions of Africa that have never held the position of chairperson of  the African Union (AU) or its predecessor, Organisation of African Unity which was established 49 years ago, and therefore, SADC feels that it is its turn to chair the African Union Commission.
The regional bloc said this week it has overwhelmingly re-endorsed the candidature of Dr Dlamini Zuma for the position of chairperson of AU.
“SADC remains convinced that its candidate is of exceptional caliber and has impeccable credentials that suit the post. Dlamini Zuma also reaffirms the AU’s profiling of women as evidenced by its declaration that 2012 to 2020 is the AU Decade for Women”, according to a statement issued by the SADC Secretaritiat in Gaborone this week .
SADC said taking into account the importance of the AU Decade for women, the African heads of states and governments, who have already adopted the AU Gender Policy on Gender Parity in the AU commission, would be sending a strong continental signal by appointing Dr Dlamini Zuma at the helm of the AUC.
It added that African women must be given an equal opportunity to make a positive contribution to the workings of the commission and believes that Dr Dlamini Zuma is such a woman.
“Her election will signify to the world that the AU takes seriously to its commitment to gender equality by recognising competence and qualification where it is clearly established above regional politics.”
SADC hopes that when the AUC elections are held in July at the summit in Malawi, the African continent will rally behind the SADC candidate.

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