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Roundup: Kenyan foreign minister intensifies campaign to become AUC Chairperson

Xinhua, October 28, 2016 Adjust font size:

Amina Mohamed, the Kenyan cabinet secretary for foreign affairs and international trade, has commenced shuttle diplomacy to persuade African countries and other multilateral partners to back her bid to become the next chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).

Speaking at a women business leaders' forum on Thursday evening in Nairobi, Mohamed spelled out her vision of transforming the continental bloc in line with the evolving socio-economic and political dynamics.

"My vision for the AU commission is founded on our continent's blue print for socio-economic transformation, Agenda 2063," said Mohamed, adding that her quest for AUC chairmanship has been supported by many African governments.

The career diplomat has made frequent visits to African countries and foreign capitals in recent times to present her credentials as lobbying for the top AU job intensifies.

South Africa, Rwanda and other East African countries have so far backed Mohamed's candidature for AUC chairmanship.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta in September announced the candidature of his foreign minister for the chairmanship of the AU commission.

The Kenyan government has been lobbying African leaders to support Mohamed's quest to be at the helm of the African Union's top decision making organ.

During her conversation with Kenyan women business leaders, Mohamed pledged to use her expertise in global diplomacy to promote investments, trade, integration and conflicts resolution in Africa.

"If granted the opportunity to serve at the helm of the AU Commission, I will endeavor to promote intra-African trade, infrastructure modernization and political stability in the continent," said Mohamed.

She added that fighting against violent extremism, cross-border crimes and environmental degradation will be her top priority.

During her three-year tenure as Kenya' foreign minister, Mohamed is credited for elevating the country's economic diplomacy to new heights.

She was instrumental in lobbying for Kenya to host international trade meetings attended by world leaders.

Likewise, Mohamed facilitated regional summits to discuss conflict resolutions in perennial hot spots like Somalia and South Sudan.

Mohamed reaffirmed her commitment to promote inclusive development, gender parity and industrialization in Africa.

"I envision a prosperous and stable Africa that is able to harness natural resources and youth bulge to transform economies through agro-processing, trade and tourism," said Mohamed.

She promised to work closely with African diaspora to hasten the implementation of Agenda 2063.

The AU member states will elect the next Chairperson of the AU commission in January 2017 during the annual summit to be held in Addis Ababa.

Kenya has put a strong case to have its foreign minister succeed the retiring AU Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Mohamed will contest the AUC Chairmanship job with three other candidates who include the former Ugandan Vice President, Specioza Kazibwe, Equatorial Guinea Foreign Minister, Agapito Mba Mokuy and his Botswana counterpart, Pelonomi Venson Moitoi.

Kenya is banking on election of Amina Mohamed as the next AUC chief to re-affirm its status as a regional diplomatic powerhouse. Endit